Web and Video Conferencing Terminology

Webcam: A web cam is a video camera whose video can be broadcast using a PC video calling application. (such as Polycom or Adobe Connect).

Headset: A voice and audio headset, used for best call quality.

Web Conferencing: Web conferencing is used to conduct live meetings or presentations over the Internet.

Video Conferencing: Communicate in real time with two or more people at different locations via video.

IP Address: an IP address in this context is similar to a phone number, it is how we are able to find and call you.

Near Site: refers to the video coming from the camera at your location.

Far Site: refers to the video from the site you are connected to – in most cases this will be the codian bridge.

VoIP: Voice over Internet protocol. This is the technology used to transmit voice without a phone line.

The Codian Bridge: A bridge is a piece of hardware that allows two or more video conferencing sites in a single call.

Adobe Connect – Adobe Connect is a web conferencing program that enables users to talk, use video, share documents and their computer screen over the internet.

Polycom: Polycom is a company that produces web and video conferencing products. Among them are:

1. Polycom VSX: The VSX systems are the large conference room setups that do NOT involve a computer.
2. Polycom PVX: The Desktop software we use to connect your computer to any other Polycom machine.

Webinar: A type of web conference that tends to be mostly one-way, from the speaker to the audience with limited audience interaction, such as in a Webcast, which is transmission of information in one direction only, like watching a tv show. A Webinar however, can include polling and question & answer sessions to allow full participation between the audience and the presenter.

Text Chat: A way to type in plain text, just like in an e-mail or instant message, and have it be shown alongside the video.