Video Conferencing Systems > Optional Equipment

Video Cassette Recorders (VCRs) and Camcorders

VCRs or camcorders can be connected to most group systems and some desktop systems. This gives the potential of showing video to the far-end, for example a video of work produced by pupils or video of the school environment. Camcorders can also be used as document cameras (see below) to show close-up views of objects or documents.

Some systems have video/audio out sockets to enable video conferences to be recorded. It should be noted, however, that the picture quality will be similar to the actual conference – this may have been acceptable in a live conference but it may not be good enough to use as a recorded archive.


Document Cameras

Document cameras can be used on systems with a video input. The document camera consists of a flat platform with a camera mounted above. Objects and documents can be placed on the platform and focused on by the camera. A document camera will usually have lights mounted above the platform to light the object.


Linking Laptop or Desktop Computers

The connection of a laptop or desktop computer to a video conferencing system can enable presentations to be made to the far-end using presentation software. Files and applications can also be shared as described above. Group systems will often have a means of connecting a computer, either via a specific socket such as a ‘monitor in’ socket or via a network connection.

If the network connection is used, configuration may be necessary for the video conferencing unit to recognise the connected computer.
Some video conferencing systems can be managed from a computer attached via a network through a Bowser interface. This is particularly useful if there are a number of systems across a site.


Use with Projectors

Most video conferencing systems can be connected to a data/video projector to give a large image. This can be useful when conferencing with large classes or groups. Enlarging the image with a projector can make it look poor, particularly if it is a low bandwidth video image. It may be better to reduce the size of the projected image or use a large TV/monitor.

The audio from the video conferencing unit can be put through the speaker in a projector but these often have very small speakers and a low-powered amplifier. It may be necessary to consider using another form of amplification.

A problem associated with projecting a large image is that it becomes difficult to place the nearend camera in a position close to the centre of the image. This is important because those watching the conference end up looking at the projected image and not the camera. This can be disconcerting for users at the far-end who may feel that those at the near-end are not giving the conference their full attention. This can also be a problem with users who are sitting close to large monitors.


Interactive Whiteboards

Using a video conferencing unit in conjunction with an interactive whiteboard can add a new dimension to conferences. Although it is possible to project the video image onto the whiteboard, the combination of a TV/monitor for the video image and the use of the whiteboard for data and application sharing can enhance the potential of presentations and collaborative work.


For example:

• A teacher can be teaching a lesson where s/he appears on the TV/monitor whilst
  showing a PowerPoint presentation that appears on the whiteboard.
  
  
• Two groups can be conferencing and using the whiteboard as a shared space that each group can use for making notes and drawing diagrams whilst seeing each other on the TV/monitor.
  
  
• Two classes can be working on a mathematical problem on a shared spreadsheet
  displayed and controlled on the interactive whiteboard whilst seeing each other on theTV/monitor.