Equipment Essentials for Proper Videoconference Viewing
Video and teleconferencing are the ideal mediums for group meetings and depositions because of their ability to provide communicative abilities to numerous people in a variety of locations. Instead of having to call each member individually or send mass emails, you can talk to all of them at once and eliminate any confusion or miscommunication right when it occurs.
In addition, these types of conferences provide you with the added advantage of having the entire session recorded for future playback. This isn’t only useful for evidentiary purposes, but also allows you to go back and listen (or watch) for things you may not have caught the first time around.
That being said, like any endeavor, in order for a videoconference to be successful you need to have the right tools.
Tools of the Trade
In order to capture nuances, visual signals, vocal tone, and everything else needed for proper communication, you need to be able to clearly see and hear every aspect of the conference. In other words, in order to have a successful videoconference you need to have high quality equipment that you can depend upon to capture a full range of audio, visual, and communicative signals. This equipment includes:
- Adjustable microphones. Although laptop and PC mics are adequate enough for speaking one-on-one, they don’t possess the acoustic range necessary to capture the audio of an entire room. In addition, lower-quality mics can produce echoes and reverbs that can muffle or bury the speaker’s voice. An adjustable microphone with built in echo canceling will prevent reverb and allow you to set volume controls and sensitivity. Therefore, you’ll be able to capture all the audio you need while eliminating the noise that you don’t.
- Cameras. Much like a low-quality mic, small-aperture cameras may not be sufficient for videoconferences that are larger than one-on-one meetings. Small-aperture cameras capture less light and therefore limit what you can see. Likewise, stationary cameras limit field-of-view and can wind up cutting speakers out of the frame. For a successful view, videoconferences require high-quality cameras that can focus on the entire room.
- Screen and speakers. Just as audio and video quality are important, so is how you view them. Again, one-on-one meetings can deal with a small laptop monitor and speakers for adequate viewing, but you can expect four, five, or ten people to huddle around a small screen and be able to focus. That’s why to ensure that every participant can both see and hear clearly, it is important to have an adequately sized screen and speakers that you can adjust for a high-quality viewing experience.
- Experienced planners. Rather than worry about whether your microphone is sufficient or your camera is suitable, you can ensure that all your videoconference equipment is perfect by hiring an experienced conference planner. At Casamo & Associates, Inc., we’ll not only secure the necessary equipment you need, but we’ll also set it up and monitor the event to ensure the best audio and visual recording. Don’t jeopardize your conference with the wrong tools: call us today and ensure your success.
