An Intro to IVC - Number of Sites





Point-to-Point videoconference

Connecting two sites together is known as point-to-point or site-to-site videoconferencing. The main monitor at each site shows the other site's selected camera. This can be an image of the instructor, the students, graphics on the document camera, computer graphics or a video clip depending on what peripheral equipment is available.
Instructor Distant Class

Connecting two sites through desktop videoconferencing software (such as CU-SeeMe) will result in a small window appearing on the computer screen that shows the distant camera view. There is also an option to have a second window open that shows your camera's view.
CU-SeeMe site to site CU-SeeMe site to site


Multi-point or Multi-site videoconference

A connection between three or more sites is described as multi-point or multi-site conferencing. You can usually view the other sites in one of two ways:
  • The system can be set to automatically show a full screen picture of whichever site is speaking. This option works well in a structured meeting setting but can become distracting if there is a lively discussion or one participating site is louder than the others. The University of Northern British Columbia has had extensive experience with this type of multi-point videoconferences.

  • The monitor is divided into four quadrants and in each quarter one of the distant sites is shown. The participants all appear smaller than when shown full screen, but this option allows you to watch peoples' reactions at all sites. The 'quad split' works best if only a small number of participants are shown on camera at each site.
    Four sites Three sites

  • Connecting more than two sites through desktop videoconferencing software (such as CU-SeeMe) will result in a series of small windows appearing on the computer screen that each show a distant camera view.
    CU-SeeMe multi-site

Room-to-room Multi-point connections are more complex and consequently almost always more expensive than point-to-point for a number of reasons:

  • to connect more than two sites, you must schedule and pay for time on a service-provider's bridge.
  • each videoconference site must pay connection costs and equipment rental, and depending on the site there can be additional costs such as room rental, technician charges, even furniture set-up.
  • the logistics of scheduling facilities, facilitators and participants obviously become more complicated as the number of sites increase.
  • multi-point conferences need good moderating skills in order to co-ordinate and balance participation between the sites.
Never make assumptions about IVC costs! If you're planning an event, find out from each site not only what the costs will be, but exactly what facilities and services those costs will provide.

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