Glossary of Terms

IVC - Interactive Videoconferencing (or two-way video instruction)

codec (Coder-Decoder or Compression - Decompression)

Videoconferencing hardware uses a codec to code the outgoing video and audio signals and decode the incoming signals. Prior to transmission, the codec converts analog signals to digital signals and compresses the digital signals. Incoming audio and video must be decompressed and converted from digital back to analog.

IPFW standardizes with the Polycom brand of CODEC equipment. Other typical brands include Tandberg, Sony and Lifesize.

IP, internet protocol

Internet protocols are used to communicate across any set of interconnected networks. Internet protocols can be used to specify common applications such as electronic mail, terminal emulation, and file transfer. Internet protocols were first developed in the mid-1970s, when the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) became interested in establishing a packet-switched network that would facilitate communication between dissimilar computer systems at research institutions.

multipoint control unit (MCU)

Also called a bridge, a component that manages videoconferences of three or more participants. An MCU can support some or all of the following: audio-only calls, video calls at various video bandwidths, video calls with T.120 data sharing, continuous presence, cascaded calls, conference call web page, and component stacking.

multipoint videoconference

Videoconference with more than two sites. In the old days, sites had to connect via an MCU. Most high end units now have built-in MCUs which enable multipoint videoconferences as simply as dialing one site. (Compare with point-to-point videoconference.)

point-to-point videoconference

Videoconference between two sites. (Compare with multipoint videoconference.)

Videoconferencing Cookbook Glossary of Terms: http://www.videnet.gatech.edu/cookbook.en/list_topics.php?topic=13&sequence=0&name=Glossary+of+Terms