Here is a short list of terms related to interactive and other videoconferencing.
NOTE: For more terms, go to Webopedia.

bandwidth - The transmission capacity of an electronic medium, such as network wiring, fiberoptic cable, or microwave links; also the range of signal frequencies where a piece of audio or video gear can operate, or the difference between high and low limiting frequencies.

bridge (see also router) - a networking device that performs the functions of a bridge, a router, or both simultaneously. It can route multiple protocols, such as TCP/IP and XNS, while bridging other traffic.

CODEC - Compression-decompression or compressor-decompressor. This may be either a software-only, or a hardware assisted scheme that is used to process digital video and/or audio files. A CODEC reduces the amount of data to be transmitted by discarding redundant data on the transmitting end and reconstituting the signal on the receiving end.

compression - The conversion of digital data, typically video and audio, into a more compact form by using complicated algorithms. The data is decompressed at the receiving end.

decoder (see also CODEC) - A hardware or software system that translates data streams into video or audio information.

distance education (DE) (see distance learning) -

distance learning (DL)- Educational instruction carried out at a site other than the classroom where an instructor is located, typically via satellite or cable television and in real time.

ELMO - Electric Light Machine Organization, maker of visual presenters for teleconferencing and distance learning applications; a document camera.

ISDN - Integrated Services Digital Network; an international digital telecommunications standard that accommodates voice, data, and signaling and brings high bandwidth to the microcomputer desktop.

Interactive videoconferencing (IVC) -The use of video and audio equipment to conduct conferences in which two or more parties can both see and hear each other during their interaction.

router (see also bridge) - A protocol-dependent device that connects networks. It is useful in breaking down a large network into smaller subnetworks. Routers introduce longer delays and have lower throughput rates than bridges. Like a bridge, a router restricts local area network (LAN) traffic.

T1 (also T-1) - A digital transmission link that can pass data at a rate of 1.544 megabits per second over normal twisted-pair wiring. It can handle 24 voice channels at 64 kilobits per second and is a North American telecommunications standard.

videoconference - A conference during which participants at two or more locations are linked by fast telecommunication lines and are able to see and hear one another in real time. There is an interactive quality that is called "synchronous."

Enter a keyword... Enter a word, phrase or abbreviation that is related to computer or Internet technology and press Go!