Explain the difference between unidirectional and bidirectional AV communication.

Unidirectional AV communication refers to the transmission of audio or video signals in one direction only, meaning that the signals are sent from a source to a destination without the capability of sending signals back to the source. This is commonly seen in systems where a single-directional flow is sufficient, such as in a simple broadcasting scenario where audio or video is being transmitted to an audience without any requirement for feedback.

In contrast, bidirectional AV communication allows signals to travel in both directions, facilitating two-way interaction. This is essential in scenarios like video conferencing, where participants need to both send and receive audio and video signals in real time.

Understanding this distinction is crucial for designing audio-visual systems suited to specific needs. Application contexts that require feedback or interaction will benefit from bidirectional setups, while simpler applications might effectively utilize unidirectional systems.