VTC stands for video teleconferencing (sometimes video teleconference): a live, two-way audio and video connection between people at different locations. VC, short for video conferencing, means the same thing. "VTC" is common in US government, military and older enterprise usage, where it usually refers to dedicated room systems. Today the same job is done by meeting rooms running Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Webex or Google Meet.
VTC, VC and related terms
| Term | Meaning | Where you'll see it |
|---|---|---|
| VTC | Video teleconferencing | Government, military, procurement documents, older IT |
| VC | Video conferencing | General and enterprise IT |
| Teleconference | Usually audio-only conference call | Older business usage |
| Telepresence | High-end, life-size immersive video rooms | Executive and premium rooms |
| UC | Unified communications: voice, video, chat, presence in one platform | Teams, Zoom, Webex |
| Codec | Device or software that encodes and decodes the audio/video | Room systems |
| MCU / bridge | Server that connects multiple sites into one call | Multipoint calls |
More background: video conference vs teleconference, video conference vs telepresence and video conferencing codecs.
Where "VTC" is still used
- US military and Department of Defense. VTC suites, VTC rooms and secure VTC for classified networks are standard terms.
- Federal, state and local government. Procurement requests often say "VTC equipment."
- Courts and corrections. Remote hearings and arraignments. See courtroom video conferencing.
- Large enterprises with older room systems. Legacy standards-based systems that dial each other by IP address.
Traditional VTC vs modern video conferencing
| Traditional VTC | Modern cloud video conferencing | |
|---|---|---|
| Calling method | Standards-based SIP or H.323, dialed by address | Join a Teams, Zoom or Meet meeting link or calendar invite |
| Hardware | Dedicated codec, cameras and mics | Video bar or room kit running the platform app, or a USB bar with a laptop |
| Infrastructure | On-premises bridges, gatekeepers, firewall traversal | Cloud service |
| Joining | Room-to-room dialing | One-touch join from a room console or calendar |
| Mixing with desktop users | Needed gateways | Built in |
Modern room systems can often still talk to SIP/H.323 systems through interop services. See Zoom Rooms interop and Google Meet hardware interop.
What a VTC room includes today
- Camera: video bar, PTZ camera or multi-camera setup.
- Microphones and speakers: built into the bar, plus table or ceiling mics in larger rooms.
- Display: one or two screens.
- Compute/codec: a Teams Rooms PC, Android appliance or codec.
- Controller: a touch console on the table.
- Network: wired Ethernet with enough bandwidth. See video conferencing bandwidth.
See the full video conferencing equipment list and how video conferencing works.
Government and secure VTC
Classified or high-security VTC uses accredited systems, approved networks and specific procurement rules. Those requirements come from the agency, not from the hardware vendor. If your bid mentions TAA, NDAA, GCC or secure networks, check requirements with your security office. For Microsoft's government cloud, see Teams Rooms for GCC.
Writing a VTC equipment spec? Send us the requirements and we'll put together options that meet them.
Related guides
Outfitting several rooms, or reselling? Get a volume quote or apply for wholesale pricing →
