Tips and Techniques – The Basics of Video Conferencing

In a world where speed counts, video conferencing delivers quality information to multiple locations ... with a human touch, in real time! Participants can watch, listen, learn from, and participate with colleagues, customers, and other resources in the far corners of the world.

Here's a video conference primer to help you better understand the ABC's of this exceptional communications tool.

Behind the Scenes

From a participant's view, video conferencing is simplicity itself. But behind the scenes, it is made possible through merging a variety of complex technologies - advanced network and transmission services, compression of digital signals, and techniques that allow different systems to "talk" with one another.

The basic components of video conferencing are:

• A camera
• A codec
• A monitor
• A microphone
• An equipment control pad at each location
• Network services to connect the locations

Video conferencing equipment can vary considerably from location to location, often running at different speeds and using different network services. AT&T offers a complete portfolio of multipoint and conversion services that enable you to conduct video conferences without concern for these technical differences.

Video conferencing equipment is designed for ease of use. Product manuals and training are usually available from equipment vendors. Questions about use of your premises equipment should be directed to your video equipment vendor.

AT&T offers a complete spectrum of resources to make your video conferences successful:

• A broad range of available network connections
• Expert technical assistance
• Techniques that enable your equipment to operate with equipment at other meeting locations ... which simplifies video conference setup

Your Video Conferencing Gateway to the World

The state-of-the-art AT&T Video Center in Atlanta, Georgia is your gateway to the network paths carrying domestic and international video calls to their destinations. With the most advanced networking technology in the world, it links one video conference site to the next - city to city, across the country, around the globe.

The AT&T Video Center is your single point of contact for information, reservations, conference setup, technical support, and trouble reporting ... for all your video conferences using multipoint and conversion services.

A Closer Look at Video Conference Options

Basic Point-to-Point Video Conference

This conference type is for two participating locations, each using:

• Dial-up, switched network services
• Compatible codec equipment
• The same transmission speeds

To establish basic point-to-point video conferences, you don't need to call the AT&T Video Center. Just plan your meeting, call the other location, and you're ready to go!

Point-to-Point Conversion Service

This conference type is for two-location video conferences requiring conversion service because:

• They use different AT&T network services
• They use different vendor codec equipment
• They transmit at different transmission speeds

To make reservations, call the AT&T Video Center at 1 800 VIDEO GO (1 800 843-3646), Prompt 1.

Multipoint Video Conference

This conference type is for video conferences with more than two locations. To make reservations, call the AT&T Video Center at 1 800 VIDEO GO (1 800 843-3646), Prompt 1.

If Your Video Conference is Supported by the AT&T Video Center ...

Video conferences supported by the AT&T Video Center that use domestic switched dial-up services are available for you to dial into 15 minutes before the scheduled start time. It is a good idea to dial in early to give the AT&T Video Center an opportunity to ensure that your audio and video connections are working properly.