Basic concepts
As the most advanced communication technology at present, video conference can realize high-efficient and high-definition remote conference and office with the help of Internet. It has unique advantages in continuously improving the communication efficiency of users, reducing the cost of business travel and improving the management effect. It has partially replaced business travel and become the latest mode of remote office.
In recent years, the application of video conference has expanded rapidly, from government, public security, military, court to science and technology, energy, medical care, education and other fields, covering all aspects of social life.
System constitution
General video conference system includes MCU multi-point controller (video conference server), conference room terminal, PC desktop terminal, PSTN gateway, gatekeeper and so on. All kinds of terminals are connected to MCU for centralized exchange, forming a video conference network. In addition, the voice conference system allows all desktop users to participate in the voice conference through PC, which are derived from the video conference. At present, voice system is also a reference condition of multi-functional video conference.
Multipoint processing unit (MCU)
MCU is the core part of video conference system, which provides users with group meeting and multi group meeting connection services. At present, MCU of mainstream manufacturers can provide access services for up to 64 users on a single machine, and can be cascaded, which can basically meet the user's requirements. The use and management of MCU should not be too complicated, so that the general staff of the customer's technology department or even the administration department can operate it.
Large, medium and small conference room terminal products (end point)
The terminal products of large, medium and small conference rooms are provided for users' conference rooms. The equipment has its own camera and remote control keyboard, which can be displayed by TV or projector. Users can choose different equipment according to the size of the conference room. General meeting room equipment is equipped with special video tracking camera, which can rotate back and forth by remote control to cover anyone and objects participating in the meeting.
Desktop (PC) terminal products
The video conference is held directly on the computer. Generally, the PC camera with low cost is configured. Now it supports tens of hundreds or even thousands of meetings. Because PC is the standard configuration of office, desktop conference terminal does not need to increase a lot of hardware investment. The conference room terminal only needs to buy high-performance PC and video capture card, and its cost is lower than the common hardware video terminal. Domestic network video conference manufacturers have taken the lead in launching SaaS mode conference system and innovative leasing service, which can reduce the cost of network video conference to the range that ordinary enterprises can receive. Based on Windows operating system, it can realize the data conference functions such as whiteboard, program sharing, file transmission, etc. while holding video conference, as the auxiliary tool of the conference.
PSTN gateway
It is particularly important for many domestic leaders and people who travel a lot to join the video conference directly by phone or mobile phone. It can be said that video conference will become an indispensable function in the future.
In addition, video conference system generally has the function of recording and broadcasting. It can publish the meeting in real time and record the meeting content in real time. Based on the requirements of the current popular conference information materials, the system can support the simultaneous recording of ppt documents, flash, IE browser, DVD and other video contents of the electronic materials in the speaker's computer, as well as audio contents, video images of the leading guests and participants in the conference.
System classification
At present, the video conference system in the market can be divided into software video conference system and hardware video conference system.
Software video conference is a video communication mode based on PC architecture, which mainly relies on CPU to process video and audio coding and decoding. Its biggest feature is low cost, good openness and convenient software integration. However, the stability and reliability of software video still need to be improved, and the video quality generally can't surpass the hardware video system. Its current market is mainly concentrated in individuals and enterprises, and the government and large enterprises gradually began to accept it, and more and more of it is used in the conference.
Hardware video conference is a kind of video communication mode based on embedded architecture. It relies on DSP + embedded software to realize video and audio processing, network communication and various conference functions. Its biggest characteristic is high performance and good reliability. Most high-end video applications use hardware video. But with the development of technology, its market share is gradually occupied by software.
Differences between hardware and software systems of video conference
1. Economic aspect: the construction cost of hardware video conference is high, and special line is usually needed to provide services for it. Therefore, after general enterprises decide to use hardware video conference, they often need high funds to invest in the construction of exclusive network line for video conference. Therefore, one project and two expenses often make many enterprises flinch. Software is different: its use is entirely based on the resources you already have. You are not required to pay additional funds.
2. Audio / video effect: high bandwidth and less video to watch are the feelings of the majority of hardware video conference users. Compared with software products, the video and voice status of hardware products are generally more consistent and stable than that of software products, but this is an effect based on high bandwidth and stability. For example, in hardware video conference, each channel of video takes up about 1 Megabyte of bandwidth. It is precisely for this reason that hardware products must be provided with bandwidth by dedicated lines.