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Understanding Multi Conferencing Technology
There are many different types of conferencing. The simplest type of conferencing involves a point to point call, which means that one person is interacting with another person using the Internet. It is limited to two people. This form of electronic conferencing is much like making a phone call with the exception that you can see the other person. There is also another type of conferencing known as electronic multi conferencing. Multi point conferencing occurs when there at least three locations that are involved in the conference. This form of conference is similar to a three way telephone conversation, although there can be more than three people involved.
There are many essentials that are involved in electronic multi point conferencing. In order for this form of conferencing to take place the ISDN must be present. ISDN refers to Standards for Integrated Services Digital Network, which is a digital communications service that is very high quality and provides a standard phone line with the ability to transmit voice as well as data at the same time.
Another key ingredient in multi point conferencing is a bridge. A bridge is a control unit that is multi point and is known as the MCU. It is this unit that actually manages the video conference. The MCU is crucial due to the fact that it can support a variety of features such as audio only calls or video calls. It can also make data sharing possible. In addition, continuous presence is made possible through the MCU. Continuous presence, sometimes referred to as CP Mode, refers to when all of the sites involved in the conference are able to be seen at the same time.
This feature is critical to ensuring that everyone feels as though they are really there. There is also another mode that can be used through multi point conferencing. It is voice activated switching, sometimes referred to as VAS. Through this mode, all of the sites will be connected but only the person who is speaking will be seen. This is similar to the way a spokesperson appears on regular television. It is possible to change the view with this mode and the entire mode is voice activated, which means that even if the camera is not on them, if someone speaks the camera will immediately recognize them. This is why many people choose to mute their mic until they are actually ready to speak when using VAS in multi point conferencing.