Videoühendus

videoühendus is a digital communication method that allows participants in different locations to interact through audio and video in real time. The term is Estonian for “video conference.” Videoühendus technology originated in the early 1980s with the development of DSL and satellite links that enabled high‑bandwidth transmission between corporate offices. By the late 1990s, internet video on demand and VoIP protocols such as H.323 and later SIP expanded the availability of video conferencing to smaller businesses and eventually to consumers.

Modern videoühendused rely on packet‑switched networks, using protocols like RTP and RTCP to manage media streams and adapt to variable network conditions. Video quality is typically encoded with codecs such as H.264, H.265, or VP9, while audio is compressed with Opus or AAC. Encryption such as DTLS and SRTP is now standard to secure participant data. Applications for videoühendused range from business meetings and telemedicine to education and public webinars. Many popular platforms – Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Google Meet, and Cisco Webex – provide integrated features such as screen sharing, real‑time captions, and recording.

Key advantages of videoühendused include reduced travel costs, faster decision making, and increased accessibility for remote employees. However, effective usage still depends on adequate bandwidth; inadequate network conditions can lead to lag or dropped connections. Usability challenges also arise from varying levels of digital literacy and the need for proper hardware and stable power supplies. Despite these constraints, the adoption of videoühendused has accelerated dramatically in response to global events such as the COVID‑19 pandemic, leading to widespread acceptance and integration into workplace and educational workflows.