ESL Podcast 264 - Preparing for a Video Conference
video conference - a meeting between two or more people at different locations using video so that they can see each other on a TV or video screen
Video conferences are better than phone conferences when negotiating an agreement because you can see the other person's reactions more easily.
the next best thing to (something) - almost as good as; the second best option
Seeing that documentary film about Antarctica is the next best thing to actually going there.
face-to-face - in-person; a meeting between two or more people who are in the same place
Willow says that he is in love with a woman he met over the Internet, but they've never met face-to-face.
a piece of cake - very easy, quick, and simple
Sending an email is a piece of cake - just write your message and click "send."
run-through - a practice session; doing a performance to practice and to make it better
The team members are meeting one hour early to do another run-through before they have to give their presentation to the company president.
to work (something) - to use; to make something work correctly; to make something function correctly
Do you know how to work this CD player? I push the "play" button, but nothing happens.
webcam - a small electronic machine that takes a video recording of something and sends it to other people through the Internet
Chatting online is more fun if both people have webcams. That way, they can see each other.
microphone - a small electronic device that makes one's voice louder and/or allows a computer to "hear" and record what one is saying
If you have a microphone, you can use your computer to make "telephone" calls to other computers with programs like Skype.
Internet connectivity - an Internet connection; the ability to connect with other computers through the Internet
This university has Internet connectivity everywhere on campus, from the library to the cafeteria.
streaming - seeing or hearing something in real time, or as it actually happens, usually over the Internet
You need to have a very fast Internet connection to be able to see streaming video. If you have a slow computer, it won't work very well.
speaker - the part of an electronic machine that sound (music or voices) comes out of
Hurley sat too close to the speakers at the concert last night, and today, his ears hurt.
to turn up (something) - to increase the volume; to put music or another recording at high or full volume; to make something louder
The radio in Jason's car was turned up and everyone who was on the sidewalk could hear his music when he drove by.
to adjust - to make a small change to something
Welcome to Houston, where the local time is 4:42 p.m. Please adjust your watches for the time zone difference.
to zoom - to make something bigger or smaller on an electronic screen
When you take a picture of someone, you should zoom in so that his or her face is easier to see in the photo.
to tilt - to change the angle of something so that it gently moves up or down
Please tilt your head down so that I can cut the hair on the back of your neck.
audio - recorded sound coming from an electronic machine
Cary is very good at making videos, but she doesn't have the equipment to record good audio for her movies.
loud and clear - very clearly; easy to hear and understand
Yoko is amazed by how loud and clear her son's voice was on the telephone, even though he was on the other side of the world.
in business - ready to do something; ready to start; successful
After Hal washed the car, put on new tires, and changed the oil, he said, "We're in business!" and the family got started on its roadtrip.