With more and more professionals working from home or traveling frequently, video conferencing is critical for remote and hybrid teams. Clear communication is vital for success, whether used as a standalone solution or as part of a complete UCaaS or CCaaS platform.
Thankfully, modern technology makes it easier than ever to connect in quality with the help of video hardware. However, not all hardware is created equal.
High-Resolution Cameras
A high-resolution camera is a key part of the video conferencing experience. A higher resolution camera can produce more detailed images, making seeing and hearing your meeting participants easier.
High-resolution cameras also tend to have better image stabilization, reducing the blurriness during video calls. It is because they are typically able to capture more frames per second than lower-resolution cameras, resulting in smoother motion.
A high-resolution camera such as the one you can find at Neat.no can also help reduce the noise of a video call, making it more challenging to hear your meeting participants. However, it is important to note that even though a camera has a high resolution, it may still produce a good-quality video.
It is also essential to ensure that a high-resolution camera is compatible with your video conference platform. Some cameras are even made specifically for these platforms and can be easily snapped onto the top or bottom of a display.
High-Speed Internet
Many Americans have experienced the frustration of a slow internet connection during a video conference call, whether they work from home or the office. Frozen video feeds, heavily distorted words, and active participants suddenly dropping out of a call are all common problems that result from low Internet speeds.
Modern high-speed Internet access supports remote work while boosting productivity. Businesses benefit from a better VOIP experience, uninterrupted large data transfers, and improved cloud applications.
A typical household needs around 1 Mbps for everyday surfing and email checking, but higher-resolution videos consume more bandwidth. To ensure a clear, crisp video conference experience, you should have at least 3 Mbps. A Gigabit Internet connection is recommended for households that frequently host video calls and telecommute workers. The speedier connection prioritizes video conferencing over other data streams and improves audio quality. It also helps to prevent lag and reduces latency. It’s a wise investment to make if you want to keep your family connected with friends and business partners.
Extra Memory
Video conferencing is an amazing tool in your arsenal, diminishing the need for physical meetings and saving time spent on travel. Still, it can’t work its magic without the proper hardware. A well-oiled video conference call requires more than just a computer with a webcam; you need the right system configuration to get premium quality, and that includes ample memory.
Video conferencing software like Microsoft Teams automatically adapts to optimize the experience based on available resources, and depending on your other applications and how often you use them, this could take up valuable system memory and hinder your ability to maintain a high-quality meeting experience. Extra memory is the key to ensuring that your video calls stay smooth, consistent, and lag-free. The best way to know if your device has enough memory is by checking its specifications or running a speed test app ahead of a video conferencing session.
High-Quality Audio
A video conference without high-quality audio will quickly become an uncomfortable experience. It is because it can take time to follow important details, and misunderstandings can occur. Effective communication is essential for business success; clear audio lets everyone easily hear every word.
In addition to minimizing background noise, using microphones designed for video meetings is important. They are often built with directional technology to help minimize pickup of other participants’ voices and with noise-canceling technology to ensure your voice is heard clearly.
Finally, testing your microphone and camera before each video meeting is a good idea. It will reduce the risk of troubleshooting during a call and allow you to see how your setup performs.
People who listen to higher-quality audio are more likely to be positively biased towards the content, speakers, and their likability. In one study, listeners who heard a physicist’s discussion in both high- and low-quality audio assessed it as 19.3% better.
