Video Phone Pros and Cons
These pros and cons should help you make a decision about whether to buy a videophone and which one to buy. Clearly, the pros outweigh the cons. Video communication is already here and it is the way of the future. It will be the choice of the majority of the world. This is a tsunami coming at us faster than you think. Remember how quickly other high-tech trends have happened.
Something to keep in mind is that this is a new technology. Like any new technology, there will be wrinkles and problems. If you’re intent on buying a video phone, this list below is meant to help you avoid regrets and disappointment. My goal with this article is to enlighten you on this new idea and also to make sure that you make the right choice of phone.
Cons:
- If the Internet goes down, the connection is lost. Videophones work with voip (voice over internet protocol)
- Most require a hard wired connection to the Internet; very few have WiFi capability.
- Emergency calls to 911 require you to tell the operator the location of the emergency
- Image quality can vary greatly depending on the model
- The reliability of the network (of connectivity) you choose can vary drastically (image freezes)
- Some models run at a very low speed (frames per second), resulting in very poor video quality
- Some models have very poor response time (time lag, not lip sync)
Advantages:
- See the person you are talking to.
- Video communication is the way of the future
- Creates a much enhanced “presence”
- Positive impact on relationships.
- True 3-way video conferencing capability, depending on model
- Ability to leave “video messages” – depending on model
- Does not require expensive equipment (computer, camera)
- Digital versus analog. Everything is going digital.
- Much cheaper than analog to make long distance calls, depending on calling plan
- Does not require computer knowledge
- Portable, take it with you, call from anywhere
- Easy to set up. Only requires high speed internet connection
- Ease of use: works like a normal phone
- Replace old analog phone
- Interfaces with existing wireless phones. No change to wireless phone performance
- At least one model comes with a rotating picture frame
- At least one model comes with WiFi capability
- High definition image (more than 30 frames / second) – depending on the model
- Stereo sound – depending on model
- Interface capability with mobile video cell phones (iPhone), depending on model
- No interference with web browsing during video calls, depending on model
- Memory “Rolodex” – depending on model
- Ability to interface with other video phones, depending on model
Some very important questions to ask.
- Which videophone will be adopted as the standard in the future?
- What model will your family and friends adopt?
- Which model is the easiest to use for everyone?
- Does your phone plan support digital video telephony?
- Is video communication the way of the future?
- Does your video phone company have its own digital network?
- Is yours a reliable digital phone service? -ie: loss of connection, image, sound
- Does your telephone company have a license with the telecommunications regulatory authorities?
- How is the customer service?
For much more detailed information on this new technology, check out my many other Ezine Articles. You may want to view my free report for more specific recommendations.
Towards the future of communications,
John Wannop
