It is true - there are always choices to be made when it comes to video conferencing, but...

well, the video after the jump probably explains it better.

I thought it was just another normal day...

Had my coffee, checked the latest industry news, responded to the morning round of emails, and prepped for a semi-regular meeting with one of the executives from our partner, Mirial.  He usually calls in from his laptop using Mirial’s ClearSea client, while I’m on my Sony HD room system (usually, the PCS-XG55).

Little did I know he was already out for another meeting that morning.  But rather than cancel our meeting, he just connected the video call into my Sony conference room system from the golf course using his cell phone – Yes! His cell phone!  The video and audio quality were great, and the backdrop was actually much more scenic than the typical conference room or home office.

I had lunch with a friend the other day that is really observant. He loves people watching – it’s actually quite hilarious. People have the oddest tendencies; a flick of the hair, a drawn out chin scratch, the raising of eyebrows, awkward smiles.

My guess is most people have natural facial expressions that they themselves have never seen. But with the increasing access to Video Conferencing, I’ve seen two responses:

1) People are now extremely self-conscious and constantly checking themselves out during our video conversations,

or, the more common

2) People still have no clue, but now expose their idiosyncrasies on our 52’’ display.

World Cup fever is EVERYWHERE -- the world’s most popular sport, on the world’s biggest stage. What has been so impressive in 2010, are the vast amounts of tools available to keep the World Cup community connected both on and off the field, and particularly the use of video conferencing systems.

Games aren’t just broadcast on TV and radio anymore – I can stream live HD footage on my computer at work or even on my cell phone. And the interactions between coaches, players and fans at the Cup matches in South Africa and on location in the home countries, has greatly improved the overall experience. According to ESPN, many of these moments and highlights have been broadcast using video conferencing equipment.