Comparisons of Technology
There are three primary modes of technology in video communications that enable a Multi-Site meeting. They are: satellite broadcasting, video conferencing and web conferencing. Listed below are their general characteristics and their advantages/disadvantages. Each technology is suitable for a Multi-Site meeting when the objective of the meeting is properly matched with the capabilities of the technology.
Satellite Broadcasting - Multi-Site Interactive (with full, two-way interactivity)
| Advantages |
| Broadcast quality - high resolution |
| Projected image is not degraded |
| Setup time can be short (just days) |
| Disadvantages |
| Highest cost |
| Largest crew |
| Technically complex |
Satellite Broadcasting - One to Many Sites (with audio Q&A)
| Advantages |
| Broadcast quality - high resolution |
| Reduces cost by broadcasting only one location throughout |
| Setup time can be short (just days or even hours) |
| Disadvantages |
| High cost |
| Large crew |
| Only the broadcast location (Host Site) is seen at all sites |
| Regional sites have only an audio line to Host Site |
TKO combines expert engineering with the ultimate technology to produce solutions that assure unrivaled success.
- Craig Ortiz, Program Manager
Video Conferencing
| Advantages |
| Fully interactive with all sites |
| Costs are generally lower than satellite broadcasting |
| Disadvantages |
| High cost |
| Network lines such as ISDN may not be available at venue |
| Long lead time to install ISDN or other suitable networks |
| Medium to low resolution - may not be suitable for projection |
Web Conferencing
| Advantages |
| Available to anyone with a computer and Internet access |
| Participants may attend a meeting from their
normal work stations without travel |
| Lowest cost delivery |
| Disadvantages |
| Low resolution - low quality |
| Participants may not have high quality Internet Access |
| Meeting quality is based on the quality of attendee's
Internet Access and computer capabilities |
| Creates no sense of impact or community among participants |
TKO Video Communications
TKO Video Communications is a global leader in providing high-quality video communications solutions for education, business and government. Our capabilities include web conferencing services, audio conferencing, video conferencing, satellite broadcasting and event management for Multi-Site meetings.
