Glossary

audio site these sites are linked through the videoconferencing system but receive audio transmission (sound) only and this is usually via a telephone connection

bandwidth the amount of information that can be transmitted by an information channel. Higher bandwidths allow more information to be carried, which, in videoconferencing, means that the picture will be of better quality. The bandwidth is measured in kilobytes (kbps)

bridge in videoconferencing terminology, a bridge connects three or more sites so that they can simultaneously communicate

dial-in each site initiates their connection by making a call or ‘dialling-in’ to the bridge

dial-out connection is initiated from the bridge, which makes a call or ‘dials-out’ to each site

directional microphone a microphone that is able to receive sound from a certain direction

kbps kilobytes per second is the measurement of speed at which images can be transmitted during a videoconference

live site the site from which a session is transmitted and at which the presenters are located.

mute activating the mute function stops sounds from being transmitted to other sites

real time virtually simultaneously

remote site site other than the live site–that is, a site receiving the transmission

teleconferencing interactive exchange of voice, usually of more than two participants, by telephone

telehealth site a site established by NSW Health that forms part of the NSW Telehealth Network. The Telehealth Network supports clinicians and patients in providing and receiving quality healthcare using modalities like videoconferencing and image transfer. These modalities must meet technical standards compliant with clinical needs

videoconferencing the transmission of images, voice and data between two or more sites via telecommunications channels

voice activated mode of videoconferencing in which the cameras are activated by sound. The site at which the sound is originating automatically appears on screen and is seen by all sites

web conferencing computer based and conducted over the Internet between two or more people situated at different locations; enables videos, websites, PowerPoint presentations and software demonstrations to be displayed in real time to all participants