Videoconferencing People Eslpod Videoconferences Designed Individuals Video Face To Face

"Videophone calls" are designed to help individuals communicate over the phone with a video "link" (connection) so that they can see each other "in real time" (as something is happening, not recorded and then viewed later). "Videoconferencing" is designed to connect larger groups of individuals at multiple locations in a similar way. "Advances" (progress) in communication technologies have improved the video "resolution" (how detailed an image is) and "reliability" (ability to maintain a connection), so today videoconferencing is popular in business, education, medicine, and more.

Videoconferencing offers many advantages. First, it reduces expenses because people do not have to travel for meetings. Videoconferences provide many of the "benefits" (advantages) of a "face-to-face" (in-person; in the same room) meeting without the "hefty" (significant; expensive) "price tag" (cost).

Of course, videoconferencing isn't "quite" (exactly) the same as a face-to-face meeting. One problem is the "perceived" (seeming; apparent) "lack" (not having something) of eye contact. In a face-to-face conversation, people look into each other's eyes. In a videoconference, people are looking at the screen and not into the camera, so the viewer "has the impression" (believes) that the other participants are not making eye contact and are not listening. Some people are also "overly conscious" (worried) about their appearance on camera, and that can affect their level of comfort and their performance. Finally, there may be short delays in "transmission" (sending signals) that can make it seem as if the other participants are "hesitating" (waiting) before responding to someone's comments. This can make the conversation feel "unnatural" (uncomfortable) and "stilted" (stiff).