Initially all audio and video was in analog form. This made it difficult to transmit audio and video data over the internet. However, today both audio and video is being recorded in digital formats, and is being transmitted over the net both as stored as well as live data. The technology, known as video over IP, has brought about a revolutionary change in the way people communicate over the net.

There are three kinds of video presentations that are being made over IP. These are: video broadcasting, video on demand, and video conferencing. Of these, video broadcasting and video on demand are one-way transmissions and are streamed from a server to a single user or multiple users.

Video broadcasts can further be unicast or multicast. In the former, the transmission is replicated to each end user while in the latter a single signal is sent over the network to multiple users. In either case, the end user has no control over the session.
In the case of video on demand, the user has little more control over the session. He can stop, start, fast-forward or rewind the video. This makes it useful for e-learning, training, marketing, entertainment, broadcasting, or those areas where a user streams the video as per his convenience.

It is only in the case of video conferencing over IP that there is interaction and an exchange of audio and video. This makes it more versatile, and is now being used for corporate communications, telemedicine, tele-health, training, e-learning, tele-commuting and customer service.

Another advantage of video over IP is that it allows collaboration. Users can use the electronic whiteboard to make notes, view each other’s presentations and share files.

To capture and transmit video and audio data over IP, the users need to use cameras and microphones. All transmissions are in real time over the net, and users can see and hear each other. The image of each user is displayed in a separate window on the computer screen.
Video over IP, however, requires high bandwidth to function efficiently. This is especially essential when multiple users are taking part in a video conference. Lack of bandwidth will lead to buffering, hazy videos and poor audio.

Companies therefore go to great lengths to ensure that the computers are connected on high bandwidth pipes to ensure a smooth video conference. They realize that such communication not only saves costs but also improves interactivity among employees. It becomes possible for corporate staff to reach out to employees based at remote locations.

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