Best Video Conferencing Devices in 2023
Blog author
Over the past few years and thanks to Covid, some of us have been thrown mercilessly into the frigid waters of online meetings. In the beginning it might have felt like drowning when you didn’t know how to turn off the camera before walking around in your undies. Things have changed. Read this article to find out how you can best prepare for your video conference meetings.
[#section1]What is Video Conferencing?[#section1]
Video conferencing is the two-way or multiple-point transmission and reception of audio and video signals between at least two participants in different locations for real-time communication.
In this day and age, conferences, board meetings, and more have moved into the digital age in full force. Online and hybrid meetings are becoming increasingly common.
Which leads us to the question, how do we move forward from here?
While some of us have some sort of understanding of what an online meeting may look like, we really want to focus on the equipment essentials that you need to have successful or even outstanding video conferences.
[#section2]1. Camera Recommendation[#section2]
“Hey uhm…. can you see me?” – might have been the most asked question during the pandemic.
Having a camera is obviously essential for making video calls. You want to see your meeting partner and they want to see you. Most of today’s computers or laptops are already equipped with a built-in camera, which is sufficient in most cases. It often becomes more difficult when you have multiple people trying to squeeze in in front of your laptop to be in frame.
If your conference room is to be set up for video calls, it will need to be equipped with more than just a built-in camera. Your options then can range from a small camera in a huddle room to something more sophisticated in larger spaces.
Depending on your room and the way your co-workers are supposed to sit in front of the camera, you might consider a camera with a 180-degree viewing angle. If the camera’s viewing angle is too narrow, then those sitting closest to the display will be left out of the field of view.
Pan-tilt-zoom cameras are common in large conference rooms. Depending on the software you use, your video conferencing platform may even require a certain type of camera.
Our 3 Options for 180-Degree Cameras:
Lite Option
j5create 360 Degree All Around Meeting Webcam
- By far cheaper than other cameras, while even maintaining a 360-degree option
- Best for small offices with camera placement on the table
- 1080p HD Video Quality
- Easy to use
Standard Option
4K Panoramic Pro Webcam
- Best for medium-sized conferences
- 4k Video Resolution
- Wall attachment possible
- AI with Facial Tracking
Premium Option
Meeting Owl Pro 360 Degree
- Best for quick and easy conference set-up
- Adjustable for small and medium-sized conferences
- Built-in microphone and speaker
- Work Wireless and is portable
- 1080p HD Video Quality
Our 3 Options for Pan-Tilt-Zoom Cameras:
Lite Option
OBSBOTO PTZ 1080p Webcam
- Best for small to medium-sized conferences
- 1080p Video Resolution
- AI with Facial Tracking
- Gesture Control
- Very Small
Standard Option
OBSBOTO Tiny PTZ 4k Webcam
- Best for medium-sized conferences
- 4k Video Resolution
- AI with Facial Tracking
- Gesture Control + Auto Fucus
- Very Small
Premium Option
Zowietek PTZ Streaming Camera
- Perfect for really large conferences (for example lectures)
- 1080p Video Resolution
- 20x Zoom
[#section3]2. Microphone and Speaker Recommendation[#section3]
Guess what comes after “Can you see me?” You guessed it! “Can you hear me?!”
Same as cameras, your device is most likely equipped with a microphone and speakers. And again, it does its job to a certain degree. However, if you want to truly level up your video conferencing game, you’ll want to consider some other options.
The microphone and speaker setup in conference rooms can be either in-ceiling, on-table, or a sound bar mounted underneath the display. Based on how you intend to use the room and the features of the space, your options may vary. For example, if you and your co-workers no longer huddle in front of a small laptop screen because you got a better camera and all of you are spread across a big conference table, you might want to think about a decent on-table microphone.
The choice of microphones and speakers will have a significant impact on the overall conferencing experience. The right setup can reduce echo, feedback and other noises heard by conference participants.
Our 3 Options for On-Table Microphone & Speaker Systems:
Lite Option
Jabra Speak 510 Speaker Phone
- Good for decent audio in home office
- Small and portable
- Bluetooth
- Battery Powered
- HD Voice
Standard Option
Anker PowerConf Bluetooth Speakerphone
- Best for high quality audio in home office or smaller conferences
- Small and portable
- Bluetooth
- Noise Cancelling Features
- Lasts really long
Premium Option
PolaTab USB Speakerphone
- Best for bigger conferences with great audio
- Really loud + great range
- HD Voice
- DSP Technology
[#section4]3. Screen Recommendation[#section4]
Okay, so we’ve figured out that squeezing your entire team in front of your laptop for a video conference is a bad idea.
Another potential issue we haven’t addressed yet is your team not being able to see everything they need to on the screen. Meaning: We need a bigger screen!
The screen is the “visual” part of conference room audio-visual, and it is one of your main collaboration tools. It enables you to see colleagues in other locations, view presentations, and screen-share from laptops, tablets and smartphones.
When you really want to up your game, you can even have a two or three-display setup, which enables meeting attendees to see both the content being presented or shared and the other video participants’ faces. Instead of choosing between content and people or having to shrink the participants’ camera view, you would be able to see both clearly, which can add a higher sense of collaboration to your meetings.
Our 3 Options for Screens:
Lite Option
TCL 32S5209K 32" TV HD
- Best for small conferences
- 32 Inches
- 1080p HD
Standard Option
Sony BRAVIA 43" X75K 4K Ultra HD
- Best for medium-sized conferences
- 43 Inches
- 4K
Premium Option
Sony New 50" X85K 4K Ultra HD
- Depending on the room, best for large conferences
- 50 Inches
- 4K
- 120 Hz
[#section5]4. The 5 Major Conferencing Softwares[#section5]
Now let’s really get digital.
To round up all the hardware discussed previously, we need some good and stable software to make good use of it. There is a lot of different conferencing software out there with all different kinds of specific tools and properties. When choosing one, you might want to think about what software suits you and your team best and what integrates well with your workflows.
- Zoom
- Microsoft Teams
- Google Meet
- GoTo Meeting
- Cisco Webex
But let us not *zoom* in too close on the topic of software (see what we did there) and let’s focus on our last really cool essential for successful video conferencing.
[#section6]5. A/V Control System[#section6]
Now, you might be wondering…
What does A/V mean?
A/V is an abbreviation for audio-visual and is used to describe technology combining audio and video components.
The term A/V control system may not be a common household phrase, but in the modern workplace it is a vital piece of the productive pie.
An A/V Control System is the heart and brain of a collection of communication hardware and software that allows the operator to control each piece in tandem or individually. It is a real multi-tasking tool that functions to streamline the various commands that control the individual technology.
Think of it as a sophisticated and innovative device that facilitates collaboration between the different hardware mechanisms, thereby facilitating collaborative efforts among employees and management.
A/V systems can be comprised of an assortment of hardware that includes conference telephones, video cameras, interactive whiteboards, digital signage, computers, smartphones, tablets, wireless connectivity, and more.
That’s right! An A/V Control System has the potential to take all your remotes and make one super-remote to handle that OG Tube – metaphorically speaking.
They can be used to run a single conference room or the entire office, unify all the different pieces of equipment and technologies and run them in a seamless manner.
[#section7]Conclusion[#section7]
We have covered quite some ground and I know that all of the above may feel a bit overwhelming. For each of the 5 essentials - camera, microphone & speakers, screen, software, and A/V control system - there are dozens of options to explore.
If you get through the time-consuming but rewarding process of getting the right equipment, your video conferences and meetings will be taken to a new level of excellence.
Get in touch
Now that we’ve gone through the 5 equipment essentials for successful video conferencing, it’s time to have some great meetings!
Maybe you’re feeling a bit overwhelmed with all the needed equipment and would like some help? Our own A/V experts would love to make your video conferences go next level.
Visit our store and browse through our catalogue of equipment or contact us via phone on 02 8850 2223.
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