Virtual Conferencing Glossary

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Rate Adaptation - The process of converting a digital stream of data into a different format and rate. (For example, this allows 64 kbps data to interoperate with 56 kbps data.)

Real time - The processing of information that returns a result so rapidly that the interaction appears to be instantane-ous. Videoconferencing is an example of a real-time application. This kind of real-time information not only needs to be processed almost instantaneously, but it needs to arrive in the exact order it's sent. A delay be-tween parts of a word, or the transmission of video frames out of sequence, makes the communication unin-telligible.

Receiver - An electronic device which enables a particular videoconference signal to be separated from all others being received by an earth station, and converts the signal format into a format for video, voice or data.

Remote Party - The remote party is the party that initiates the call in the case of an incoming call, and receives the call in the case of an outgoing call.

Resolution - A measure of detail in a digital visual image, measured either in number of pixels in the horizontal and vertical directions, or in pixels per unit of physical measure of the display device.

Restricted Networks - A restricted network refers to the local network through which an ISDN line is connected, namely a 56 K switch (and not 64 K); the call is using only 56 K of the 64 K available for each B-channel.

Rich media conferencing - Rich Media Conferencing (RMC) takes advantage of the Internet’s reach, interactivity and ability to integrate multiple forms of media to add the extra dimension of context and personalisation that takes you one step closer to a true “virtual” meeting environment. Examples of Rich Media Conferencing applications include live event streaming, instant messaging, web conferencing and IP-based video / data conferencing.

RGB - A representation of colour using the intensities of the primary colours of light, red, green, and blue. Appropriate mixtures of these primary colours can be used to represent any colour. This representation facilitates design of both hardware and software for manipulation of images and colours at the pixel level.

Roll-about - A totally self-contained videoconferencing system that includes a codec, monitor(s), audio system, and net-work interfaces. These systems can, in theory, be moved from room to room.

Room based videoconferencing - Videoconferencing using a sophisticated system, appropriate for large groups.

Router - Equipment that facilitates the exchange of packets between autonomous networks (LANs and WANs) of similar architecture. Routers move packets over a specific path or paths based on the packet's destination, network congestion and the protocols implemented on the network.

RS-232-C - A set of standards specifying various electrical and mechanical signals for interfaces between computers, terminals, and modems. In personal computer world, the original PC and PC/XT used the 25-pin RS-232 With the introduction of the AT-class personal computers, the serial connector was reduced to the 9-pin version.

RTP/RTCP - Real-Time Protocol / Real-Time Control Protocol: IETF specification for audio and video signal management. Allows applications to synchronize audio and video information.