To provide continuous presence during video conferencing, applications use the switched video or the mixed and switched video technique.

Avaya Aura® Conferencing uses the switched video technique to provide continuous presence. Video streams are relayed to all participants so that each participant receives the corresponding multiple video streams from the far ends. Avaya Meetings Server uses the mixed video technique where a single video media stream is mixed for all participating users.

Through the video channel, one of the continuous presence streams provides information about the presentation apart from the main video. The presentation channel is through the web and not through a video channel. Switched video streams use only one presentation video channel for multiple main video media streams for each participant. Mixed video devices use one video media stream for presentation. The main video media stream displays participants in one frame. The floor control of this presentation video channel is by Binary Floor Control Protocol (BFCP) messages.

BFCP messages control how multiple video streams access and use the shared video channel.