Video conferencing software along with basic hardware enables online conferences for friendly chat sessions or for conducting meetings, training sessions, sales presentations and so on.
Typical costs:
Nonprofessionals seeking to conference one-on-one should first try out free messenger software from AOL[1] , Yahoo[2] or Microsoft[3] .
WebEx[4] is a leading conferencing and desktop sharing application that offers several pricing plans[5] starting at $69 for a "pay as you go" plan with no long-term commitment, and $59 a month for a prepaid annual plan. Both plans include unlimited online meetings and phone conferencing for up to 25 users. For larger capacities or details about a pay-per-use account, e-mail the company's sales office[6] or call 866-833-3910.
GoToMeeting[7] video conferencing suite charges $49 per month, with no long-term commitment. Its fixed annual plan[8] costs $39 per month, with a one-year commitment yielding a 20 percent discount, for an annual cost of $468.
MegaMeeting[9] is a competitor that requires no downloads or installation. It charges $45 a month for its professional version, per-seat with a three seat minimum.
Key software functions include a live meeting and webinar platform, instant messaging and permission-based file sharing, which allows authorized workers to access and alter sensitive documents.
Free trial service, ranging from two weeks to 30 days.
Additional costs:
A broadband Internet connection is a necessary upfront cost for those without at least DSL service. At a minimum, video conferencing can be accomplished with an inexpensive webcam, a microphone or headset, and a simple knack for camera composition and audio.
Most up-to-date PCs, Macs and laptops have decent built-in microphones. If not, webcam manufacturers sell them. CNET offers a thorough comparison chart[10] that covers the bases from $20 to over $100.
If your computer requires external speakers, go to TestFreak's review of speakers and costs[11] , bearing in mind that an $18 pair by Creative is an adequate starting point.
For privacy, a better option would be a headset (headphones with an attached microphone), which range from $5 to $50 and up.
Certain teleconferencing functions, such as acquiring secure meeting-participation passwords for more than the plan's allotted 25 users, may be billed as a separate charge (for example, $7 per connected seat at a highly-attended shareholders conference).
Discounts:
Subscription prices should decrease incrementally as the number of users (or seats) increases.
Shopping for video conferencing:
Check to see how the manufacturer structures its pricing plans based on the number of planned users.
Make sure your computer hardware and Internet bandwidth meet the minimum requirements for the software to operate properly.
7 Lesser-Known Discounts for the 50+ Crowd As they age, members of the Baby Boomer generation don't like to admit that they're senior citizens, but they love getting discounts. It's kind of a quandary, because some of the best deals available are reduced prices for older folks. || Posted October 21 2013
7 Ways to Stretch Your Reduced Food Budget End of the year budgets are tight for everyone, especially in this economy.It's especially hard for the millions of Americans who depend on government programs like food stamps to help make ends meet. || Posted November 11 2013
We use on premise R-HUB web video conferencing servers for all our web video conferencing needs. It provides a a simple and easy to use interface and you can have a 30 way HD video conferences. Pluys it is only a one time cost
CostHelper is based in Silicon Valley and provides consumers with unbiased price information about thousands of goods and services. Our writers are experienced journalists who adhere to our strict editorial ethics policy.
CostHelper Community
UTI urgent care visit Paid: 147.00 Visit was $135. Antibiotics was $12. Waiting for four hours in the waiting room and the visit was quick... [more]
Spanish Medical Interpreter Paid: 150.00 I worked with SynShyne Services out of Monroe, NC. They were so worth the price! Professional, friendly, accurate, great attitude and always on time. I recieved an itemized report after every contact and a user friendly invoice weekly... [more]
Skin prick allergy test Paid: 573.00 Took my 9 yr. old in after an allergic reaction to eggs. Several panels for nuts, fish & top 8 allergens. Sure enough, egg came up. Got a script for epinephrine and left... [more]