A system for audio-video communications comprising: a source end-user terminal for audio-video communications comprising: a video processor component ; a first user interface , a display , a speaker and a microphone , a video camera device and a storage device , all coupled to the processor, the first user interface including a video muting function, wherein the video muting function comprises: a selection for muting video sent from the source end-user terminal; and a selection for bidirectional muting, wherein the bidirectional muting comprises muting video sent from the source end-user terminal and video received by the source end-user terminal; and wherein the video muting function comprises renegotiating audio only and audio/video communications paths and/or changing the transmission media involved; and a destination end-user terminal , wherein a replacement image for display on the destination terminal during video muting is provided by the destination terminal, wherein, upon invoking the selection for muting video sent from the source end-user terminal or invoking the selection for bidirectional muting, the first user interface further provides a video unmute function; and wherein in the event that the selection for bidirectional muting is invoked, and upon invoking the video unmute function at the first user interface, the source end-user terminal performs signalling with the destination end-user terminal to remove the source end-user terminal from the bidirectional muting. a source end-user terminal for audio-video communications comprising: a video processor component ; a first user interface , a display , a speaker and a microphone , a video camera device and a storage device , all coupled to the processor, the first user interface including a video muting function, wherein the video muting function comprises: a video processor component ; a first user interface , a display , a speaker and a microphone , a video camera device and a storage device , all coupled to the processor, the first user interface including a video muting function, wherein the video muting function comprises: a selection for muting video sent from the source end-user terminal; and a selection for bidirectional muting, wherein the bidirectional muting comprises muting video sent from the source end-user terminal and video received by the source end-user terminal; and wherein the video muting function comprises renegotiating audio only and audio/video communications paths and/or changing the transmission media involved; and a destination end-user terminal , wherein a replacement image for display on the destination terminal during video muting is provided by the destination terminal, wherein, upon invoking the selection for muting video sent from the source end-user terminal or invoking the selection for bidirectional muting, the first user interface further provides a video unmute function; and wherein in the event that the selection for bidirectional muting is invoked, and upon invoking the video unmute function at the first user interface, the source end-user terminal performs signalling with the destination end-user terminal to remove the source end-user terminal from the bidirectional muting. <EOS>