How Web Conferencing Works

• Types of Web conferencing
• Why use a Web conference system?

• Typical examples
• Video conferencing vs. Web conferencing

Types of Web conferencing

ASP

ASP is a third-party server technology that can be used for connecting PCs. It requires no additional client software and is easy to use. Usually, it is implemented with a Web browser as its platform. Users only need to connect their PC to the Internet to access the server from anywhere, therefore it offers excellent connectivity and is relatively easy to introduce into the workplace.

Proprietary server

This type relies on a dedicated server assembled in house. Because the server is built within the company, this is the ideal type when customization is needed. It is also valuable in cases when company regulations prevent uploading of information to servers outside the company. If servers are built to allow access from outside the company, they must be built with robust security measures.

Software-based

This type of conferencing requires installing dedicated software on the PC. It either involves communications through a server, or directly from PC to PC. Because it uses dedicated software, it can often provide stability even when the network bandwidth is low.

Why use a Web conference system?

The main feature of Web conference systems is that they allow sharing of information via PCs, such as presentations, product photos, dynamic images (movies) such as on DVDs, and computer program screens. It can greatly improve your company's productivity because you can hold conferences and work collaboratively with remote locations simply by connecting to a network with a PC, headset, and microphone speaker.

Typical examples

Attend Web conferences right from your desk

Connect a Web camera and headset to the PC at your desk. This lets you easily work together with people at remote locations.

Easily hold Web conferences with multiple participants

You can easily conduct meetings with multiple persons in your company's meeting areas or conference rooms. All you need is a PC, Web camera, and a microphone speaker (such as the PJP-25UR).

Hold major video conferences in conference rooms

Web conferences can be attended by many participants when you integrate the Projectphone with your Web conference system. Also, when combined with a high-resolution Web camera or large-screen TV/monitor, it can double as a video conference system.

Attend Web conferences from outside the company

As long as a network is available, you can join Web conferences from just about anywhere, such as a hotel while out on the road, or in a home office.

Video conferencing vs. Web conferencing

As a general term, a video conference system is one in which images and sound are exchanged through a display, enabling real-time communications with a remote location. It offers many benefits, including lowering business trip–related time and costs, making conferences happen in real time, and speeding up decision-making in meetings. Video conference systems come in two types: the first type is the standard video conference in which a dedicated terminal is installed in a conference room; and the second type is a Web conference in which headphones or microphone speakers are added to a PC and a camera. The following lists the various characteristics of video conferences and Web conferences.

Video conference systems

• Installed in conference rooms. Enables group meetings with multiple participants.
• Allows for mutual exchange of stable, high-quality images and sound.
• In most cases, requires a dedicated line apart from the existing network.
• Dedicated specifically for conferencing, a video conference system that delivers clear, high-resolution images is ideal. Also ideal for cases where realistic face-to-face communications are critical, such as for meetings with clients.

Web conference systems

• A Web camera and headset/microphone speaker is connected to a PC, and communication takes place via a LAN or the Internet.
• Because no expensive dedicated terminal nor particularly high bandwidth is required, it can be implemented and operated at low cost.
• Web conference systems are best for collaborations and joint projects with remote locations such as those that involve sharing files and viewing one another's PC screens.
• With conventional Web conference systems, individual participants sit at their PCs with headsets to increase efficiency by sharing materials and working collaboratively. But by using Yamaha's conference microphone speaker you can use your Web conference system like a video conference system thus greatly expanding its utility.