Article Advise

submitted: Apr 22nd 2008 | by: JodyCafaro | Total views: 6 | Word Count: 438 | |

As video conference calls get cheaper and more flexible, they are fast becoming a suitable alternative to travel for businesses that are trying to cut costs and lower their travel budgets. Due to recent advances in technology, conference call services are now available for multi-user conferences as well.

The quality of the equipment is important in order for any conference to be able to convey information to the participants. Equipment such as camera, PC system, audio controls and software are all essential to conduct a video conference call. The monitors are connected to the PC system.

Both Windows and Macintosh operating systems include videoconferencing programs. Windows users can make use of NetMeeting to make video conferencing calls while Macintosh users have iChat AV. There are also several free software packages that are compatible with Windows and Macintosh and are available for download on the Internet.

There are conference call utilities which combine audio, visual and network systems into one device, thus making the conference call process more efficient. Usually individuals purchase portable devices while the larger, less portable systems are required for bigger companies. Some of the larger companies may decide to designate an individual room solely for video conferencing.

There are conference call services available to meet the different needs of every consumer in the market, from the simple web-cams available for a hundred dollars that suit the needs of the average consumer, to the expensive high-end systems for large companies that cost fifteen thousand dollars or more.

Single users can choose between dedicated desktop-based hardware that costs anything from six hundred dollars to three thousand dollars, or simple software-based headsets that cost a mere hundred dollars. Headsets are effective at reducing echoes and are often used by individual users for personal calls.

Conferences that involve small numbers of participants usually consist of a PC-based system, which can cost between six to fourteen thousand dollars. Alternative systems that run over IP or ISDN are also simple to set up and use and cost between three to twelve thousand dollars.

For meetings involving large groups of people, the equipment required for conference calls is expensive and may cost upwards of ten thousand dollars. Such conferences, which include video conferencing seminars or classes, typically require expensive multi-directional microphones. Often, directional microphones are placed at key locations in the room along with high-resolution cameras. Reliable microphone systems can cost as much as eight thousand dollars while each camera can cost up to two hundred dollars.

Purchasing conference call equipment and software is a major investment so check for reliability, ease of use, connectivity and compatibility. Ensure that updates and maintenance services can be easily obtained at any time.

About the Author

Interested in knowing how to conduct conference calls? Go to www.aboutconferencecallservices.com and read about web-based conference calls and other related topics.

Comments

No comments posted.

You do not have permission to comment. If you log in, you may be able to comment.