Video
conferencing is a form of technology that has changed drastically over the past
30 years. From its initial entrance in
the commercial market in the 1980s to the ability to video conference from
personal computers and cell phones, the ability to communicate face-to-face has
morphed into instantaneous communication.
Video conferencing enhances the ability to communicate person to person
or in groups across vast distances. Not
only can people communicate across distances, but they can communicate
face-to-face instantaneously.
Before video conferencing was
affordable by private organizations, conference calls were the norm. The technology allowed for multiple users to
communicate at one time in one setting.
Video conferencing allows for visual communications. Conference calls failed to provide technology
for visual presentations or face-to-face communication. While conference calls are beneficial to
organizations that cannot afford technology for video conferencing, the
technology has now become obsolete.
Although the video phone of the 1970s
never made an impact on the market, the video conferencing technology obviously
retrieves the idea that people can communicate with visual and audio
components. Phones only provide for one
form of communication, while adding the video component allows for much deeper
and richer communication.
As innovative as video conferencing
has been, the technology could eventually be replaced by the ability to
conference using holographic technology.
Instead of being able to view a meeting through the lens of a camera,
people would be able to participate in the meeting through holographic images.
For
more information:
History
of video conferencing: http://www.nefsis.com/best-video-conferencing-software/video-conferencing-history.html
Video
Phones: http://paleofuture.gizmodo.com/a-brief-history-of-the-videophone-that-almost-was-1214969187
Holographic
Technology: http://www.dvice.com/2013-6-26/holographic-tv-might-be-closer-you-think
John,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your posting. Your tetrad is very similar to mine. As I was completing the reverses area of the tetrad I was thinking of the holographic images and communication from Star Wars. I do believe that this technology takes phone conference calls to another level. I wasn't aware of the video phone that surfaced in the 1970's. Video conferencing does just seem to be an advanced, updated version of the video phone. Someone took the idea and improved it greatly. Great post.
Brian
Brian,
DeleteI was not aware of the early forms of video phones that existed until I did some of the research. I was amazed that the technology existed so early. You are correct in stating that video conferencing is an extension of video phones, but I think it also allows for the transfer of other media as well. I think about being able to do a full scale presentation using video conferencing. Even Skype allows for the transfer of multiple forms of media. I think this is why conference calls became obsolete in the process. Conference calls allow for voice transfer, but nothing more.
John,
ReplyDeleteYour tetrad is really visually pleasing. I enjoyed looking at it and reading your explanations. You mention that video conferencing enhances group communication, and I pointed that out because I agree with that statement. Although the technology existed for multiple people to communicate at one time (conference calls or three-way calling) the technology now exists to communicate with sound, video, and other forms of media.
John,
ReplyDeleteGreat topic and I too was not familiar with the video phone. Do you think video conferencing also effects social technology as well as the business world?
Teri
John,
ReplyDeleteAs always, you have posted information that is thoughtful and well displayed. Though my company has not yet embraced video conferencing, we frequently use teleconferencing.