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What Is Video Voicemail?

Mary McMahon
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Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 12,885
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Video voicemail is a multimedia mail service that offers a video recording of a message. Callers with the capacity for video messaging who contact people using systems that support such services can leave brief videos if the people they are calling are not available. The messages may be picked up through a smartphone, mobile device, or computer that logs into a voicemail system. Such communications can offer opportunities to distribute information that might be difficult on an audio call.

One version of video voicemail allows people to leave ordinary voice messages that are animated with the use of a graphic image called an avatar when the recipient picks up the message. People may be able to choose and customize avatars used by the service. This can personalize messages, but does not allow for the active injection of video content into the voicemail.

Other services allow people to record video messages on voicemail accounts, or to send a video to a mailbox. For example, a parent at home might send a parent on deployment a video voicemail of a child’s first steps, or people could call distant family members and leave them short video messages. Video communication may feel more intimate for some types of calls, or could allow people to convey important information. Patients calling a nursing hotline, for instance, could leave a video voicemail to provide an image of an unusual rash or swelling, allowing a nurse to determine if it might be a cause for concern.

More bandwidth is required for video voicemail technology than plain audio communication. On phones and devices that offer this function, users may be provided with the choice of turning it off or declining messages if they are concerned about the expense. Such systems in settings like offices may also have time limits or other restrictions to keep bandwidth usage down. This can prevent lags and clogs on shared networks as multiple users attempt to download large video voicemail messages in connection with work activities.

This is a component of video calling technology, where people can talk face to face with full video and audio. Many systems that offer this feature also allow people to receive and send video voicemail with their contacts. The messages are stored on a central server until they are collected. Callers may have the option of keeping the messages in storage, deleting them, or downloading them to another device to replay and listen to later.

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Mary McMahon
By Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WiseGeek researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

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Discussion Comments
By pastanaga — On Jun 26, 2014

@browncoat - As long as they mention that there is a possibility that you might be recorded. I don't particularly want permanent copies of my face and speech habits floating around online. Although I guess that's almost an option you have to give up when you start using video phone services anyway.

By browncoat — On Jun 25, 2014

@irontoenail - It probably depends on what you're calling in the first place. If you're calling a company, it could really help to be able to leave them a message showing them exactly why you needed to call in the first place. Like, if you had a product shipped to you that was ruined in the post or if you are having a problem with faulty merchandise, showing them this on a video would help to save time.

It would be disconcerting if you suddenly had to record a video message and you didn't know that was a possibility. But, just like with phones, you must realize you're using video calling in the first place and be expecting to be put on camera. This isn't really all that different from talking to someone face to face.

By irontoenail — On Jun 24, 2014

It's difficult enough to leave a message on an ordinary answering machine, without having to leave a video message as well. I think I'd rather just leave a text message telling people where they can contact me, or whatever else information they might need.

If a service has the ability to offer a video voicemail, then surely they should be able to offer the chance to leave a typed message of some kind.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a...

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