Final answer:
In a videoconference involving more than two parties, a video bridge is necessary for connecting all participants. Cameras are often expected to be on in such settings to ensure engagement and parallelism in communication.
Step-by-step explanation:
When more than two people participate in a videoconference, for example, in a point-to-multipoint or multipoint-to-multipoint scenario, a video bridge is required. This is because the video bridge serves as a central point that connects all participants, allowing them to see and hear each other. Concise communication is often necessary in professional settings, and there can be uncertainty about whether to turn on cameras during online meetings. However, many employers expect cameras to be on to ensure that participants are engaged and to foster a sense of presence and accountability.
In addition to the practical need for a video bridge, there is also the concept of parallelism in communication. This relates to consistency and balance in the way information is presented. When conducting a multipoint videoconference, having all participants' cameras turned on helps maintain this balance and ensures that everyone is participating equally. If some participants have their cameras off, it can disrupt the parallelism and potentially affect the flow of the meeting.