Abstract: A videoconferencing system which is easy to use. First and second video devices, such as a camera unit (17) or a videocassette recorder (20), provide first and second pictures, respectively. A video control unit (15) combines these pictures to provide a combined picture, such as a split screen display, which is displayed on a monitor (21A, 21B). A controller (10) controls the operation of the video devices and the video control unit, and also causes the video control unit to display a pointer or other indicator on the combined picture. A user input device, such as a mouse (12) or a joystick (18), is connected to the controller. The mouse or joystick is used to position the pointer at a desired location on the combined picture, and also to select the function which a video device is to perform. The controller automatically selects the video device which is to perform the selected function by determining which video device is providing the part of the combined picture in which the pointer is positioned.