Which is best for your company?
Video conferencing, web conferencing, video streaming — as more and more platforms enter the online meeting space, the lines between them and what they can each achieve are fading.
Every organization has different needs for their communications strategy and because of that, one size doesn’t fit all when it comes to live video platforms. Companies examining their communications strategy are asking: What are the differences between live streaming vs internal conferencing tools, anyway?
Which online meeting tool is a better fit for my company’s internal communications event? Can live streaming do what a video conferencing tool does, and vice versa? Understanding their core capabilities and differences, as well as what they can each achieve separately — and even together — will enable you to prepare and train members of your team with skills required of each.
Let’s break down their differences and help you decide which is a better fit for your next live event.
Why using video for company-wide meetings is key for employee engagement
Rowing teams know that if you row together in sync, you’ll go faster.”
Marc Benioff
CEO, Salesforce
Companies today are looking for more impactful ways of engaging with their employees, and live video is a scalable solution for global companies looking to communicate as one team. It is no wonder why it has become the most popular and accessible go-to communications tool — the barriers to entry are lower than ever, and all-in-one live streaming platforms have made it simple to broadcast your live event to an engaged audience.
Web conferencing tools for business communications
What are web conferencing platforms?
These online meeting platforms enable two-way online interaction in real time between hosts and participants, with near-zero audio and video delay.
While the features of these platforms vary, the value of web and video conferencing is the same: they provide two-way video communication with audio, video, and screen sharing technologies across two or more locations. These online meetings are typically conducted via desktops and laptops — rarely through a full-scale production — and they tend to work best for one-one-one rather than one-to-many communication.
Examples of web conferencing platforms
GoToMeeting
WebEx
Zoom
Adobe Connect
Pros and cons of using web conferencing platforms for business communications
While conferencing tools are great for online meetings of small groups, they are less equipped for larger audiences. Some platforms have limits of up to 200 concurrent attendees while others, like Adobe Connect, charge based on your audience size. This also means that you will need to purchase another tool for marketing events or external communications.
Your participants may want to watch your video on-demand after the live event. While tools like GotoMeeting, WebEx, and Adobe Connect offer recording services, most conferencing tools aren’t built with sharing and overall long-term content storage and management in mind.
The ability to introduce production value, such as adding graphics, videos and picture in picture, on these types of platforms can be extremely limited.
For the purposes of optimizing bandwidth to enable real-time sharing, conferencing tools are often constrained by video quality and various software requirements. Often participants have to download some software update to join the event, which can be confusing and time consuming.
Web conferencing platforms have very restrictive video and audio quality, due to the limited audio/video capture capabilities, and low resolution encoding.
Live streaming for business communications
What is a live streaming platform?
Livestream technology enables you to broadcast HD plus quality video (1080p) to tens of thousands (or even more!) in real time.
Examples of live streaming platforms
Vimeo Livestream
IBM Watson Media
JWPlayer
Benefits of live streaming for business communications
One of the key differences between web conferencing tools and live streaming platforms is video quality. Conferencing tools typically offer a resolution of 640×480 while platforms such as Livestream offer a more dynamic and professional experience with multiple camera angles, supporting higher video quality with broadcasts up to 1080p.
Live streaming platforms are designed to make uploading, storage, and management of your on-demand videos in a central account easy. A great user experience could be the difference in whether your viewers choose to engage with your videos, long after your live event is over.
The best way to identify what can be done better with your next event is to look at the data. Platforms like Vimeo give you the opportunity to learn from your streaming events with real-time data from our native analytics dashboard. This will help you understand how your employees are engaging with your message.
Face to face is the best form of communication, and [live streaming] is the next best option. It creates a sense of inclusion and connection that’s difficult to replicate through other forms of communication.”
Audrey Plaskacz
Global Director, Internal Communications & Engagement Lululemon
Challenges of live streaming for business communications
In comparison to most conferencing platforms, the live interview workflow on live streaming platforms requires ample testing and preparation. While it can be done, two-way communication is extremely limited when it comes to a live interview setup.
Live streaming vs. web conferencing: Which is best for you?
Ultimately, web conferencing is for you if...
Video conferencing tools will work if you’re looking for a continuous back and forth real-time voice conversation with a limited number of people, with virtually no audio or video delay. If you don’t need to add graphics or other production elements, these solutions do the job.
Live streaming is for you if...
You want a versatile solution for a larger audience
Depending on the software, most video conferencing platforms or online meeting tools have a limit on the number of participants that are able to join the event. Live streaming, on the other hand, creates a more engaging and compelling experience, allowing you to reach, impact, and scale to millions. Live streaming also allows you to use polling, chat, and other tools to engage with your audience in real time.
You want simplicity for the viewer
Some online conferencing platforms call for client software to be downloaded while others require a certain browser. Participants then have to call in via multiple toll free numbers depending on their location. With Livestream, all your participants need is a URL link and they’re all set to join your live event from any device, wherever they are.
You want production-level quality
Quality matters. As video becomes increasingly ubiquitous in how companies are communicating, think about what a smooth high-definition video experience can do to take your online meeting or live event to the next level.
You want an all-in-one solution
Looking for more advanced features otherwise not offered with entry-level products? Livestream offers an all-in-one solution by combining the Mevo camera with our live production switching software, Livestream Studio. Just want it to work? We also boast a full-service production team full of Vimeo Livestream experts who can come out and set you up for success.
Questions? Chat with us now.
Reach out to us and our team will follow up to learn more about your needs.
