A video conference is two-way interactive audio/visual communication using electronic equipment and network systems, usually over some distance that is either difficult or time consuming to navigate. The minimum required components at each endpoint of a video conference are a microphone, a camera, a codec, a monitor, and a speaker. The camera and microphone capture the image and sound, the codec converts the video and audio into a digital signal, encodes it, and sends it out. The codec at the other end decodes the signal and distributes the video and audio to the monitor and speaker. There are two methods used to connect two sites to conduct a video conference.

(H.320) or Dial Up

The first is (H.320) or Dial Up, which utilizes ISDN lines to connect two sites. It is easy to identify if your conference is utilizing (H.320), as the number used to connect the sites looks like a standard telephone number: "(555) 555-5555" This connection method usually cost more than using H.323 or IP connections. In addition to the room charge, there is usually a line charge to pay for the use of the ISDN lines.

(H.323) or IP

The second method is (H.323) or IP, which utilizes a network connection to connect two sites. It is easy to identify if your conference is utilizing (H.323), as the number used to connect the sites looks like an IP address: "555.555.555.555" This method is more cost effective than using H.320 or Dial Up. Currently, most sites only charge for the use of the facility and not the use of the network connection.

An audio conference is two-way interactive audio communication using electronic equipment and network systems. This type of conference is used when two or more sites need to communicate by talking and no visual support is needed. The minimum required components at each endpoint of a audio conference are a microphone, a codec "phone", and a speaker. The microphone captures the sound, the codec "phone" converts the audio into a digital signal, encodes it, and sends it out. The codec at the other end decodes the signal and distributes the audio to the speaker. The microphone(s) acts like the mouthpiece on a telephone and the speaker(s) act like the earpiece on a telephone. There are two common styles of audio conferences.

Large Group

The large group system utilizes an audio conferencing system installed in a facility. The facility will typically have multiple microphones and speakers mounted in the room. This type of system must have a user interface that allows for dialing another site or person.

Small Group

The small group audio conference is typically performed by utilizing a portable conference phone. This can be as simple as a speaker phone or as elaborate as an audio conferencing unit containing multiple microphones and speakers within a single portable unit.

A satellite downlink is used when an event is being broadcast and received with a satellite. At Wake Forest, a satellite program can be received and rebroadcast via the campus CATV system. This method is utilized when information is being broadcast to multiple locations and is one-way communication. The information is received but there is not any communication back to the transmitting site via the satellite downlink. The minimum required components at each receiving site is a satellite, satellite receiver, and a monitor. There are two common types of satellite downlinks, C-Band and Ku-Band.

A Web cast is used when an event is being broadcast and received via the Internet. Web casts are received with a computer connected to the Internet. This method is utilized when information is being broadcast to multiple locations and is one-way communication. The information is received but there is not any communication back to the transmitting site via the Web cast. The minimum required components at each receiving site is a computer and an Internet connection.