Which is the best between these two popular technologies? Both video and audio conferences have their advantages and disadvantages. Therefore, there is no definitive answer; it depends on the specific situation
In the domain of conference calls, Technology advances at a rapid pace. It seems like only yesterday that audio conferencing was presented as a disruptive technology, while today it is regarded as something quite trivial and at everybody’s reach. “Your life does not get better by chance, it gets better by change”, and the seeds of change has grown so fast in the world of virtual conferencing that we have moved from headphones and microphones to calls in Hi Definition in just one decade; and after Mark Zuckerberg’s virtual trip to Puerto Rico in October 2017, the jump to meet people through virtual reality is near.
However, video conferencing has not yet outplaced the traditional audio conferences. This is not surprising at all, as we live in a world where there are lots of examples of old technologies that are able to survive the new technologies, like bicycles versus cars.
Undoubtedly, in comparison with audio conferencing, video conferences have some enhanced features. However, audio conferences still work better in some specific situations. Let’s explore the pros and cons of both technologies.
- Video conferencing enables visual communication. This is the great advantage of this technology on its rival. It’s no small thing, if you consider that over 70% of human communication is not verbal.
- Video conferencing enables data and document sharing. This feature is especially helpful in business, as you can avoid a physical meeting saving time and money that way.
- Video conferences are more engaging. This is a natural consequence of the fact that visual communication is enabled, and therefore guests can enjoy a plethora of visual stimulations (images, colors, the facial movements of the speaker) that are not available during an audio call.
However, in some few circumstances audio conferencing beats video conferencing.
- First, audio conferences are cheaper. This is an important point for organizations that have to keep costs under control. Consider that in many cases a video call is redundant, as in most every-day conversations participants do not need to exchange visual information, like slides or graphics, at all.
- Audio conferences work well even when the internet connection is bad, as they rely on the ordinary telephone lines. Therefore, audio conferences are preferable in situations like airports, trains, buses, streets, or whenever the internet is bad.
- The technology requested for audio calls is simpler. Video conferencing is great, but it requires good equipment. Audio calls work well also on old smartphones without HD screens, because audio conferencing technology is older. Therefore, if the technological level of the devices of your interlocutors is poor, you’d better withdraw on the traditional audio conference.
In conclusion, an organization should have a conferencing system that allows user to switch on demand from video to audio calls, like, for example, R-HUB`s TurboMeeting (http://www.rhubcom.com). Easy-to install and with zero maintenance, this suite of video conferencing servers offer your organization an inexpensive and complete solution that merges the highest level of data security and technological reliability with a great flexibility of use. It’s the dream of every business that has to face the competitive market of today.