Effective video conferences are essential to businesses in today’s connected and fast-paced environment, which is why it’s vital to have the right video conferencing equipment.
Have you ever been in a video conference with such low-quality that it made communications harder instead of facilitating the process? Maybe the image and audio were choppy, or you couldn’t see and hear the other participants. Or the host had to share his screen but nothing seemed to work. It’s a tough spot to find yourself in, but we’ve all been there. With the right video conferencing equipment, you can level-up your video conferences and improve communications within your business.
Unlike most video endeavors associated with big investments, video conferencing equipment doesn’t have to be expensive. You can achieve excellent quality on video calls and conferences on any budget.
If you want more live video tools to use during video conferences, download ManyCam for free today!
Video Conferencing Equipment Essentials
Video conferencing is a tool to help businesses and individuals increase productivity by removing the commute while delivering the closest experience to an in-person meeting. Similar to most communication tools, the available video conferencing equipment on the market ranges significantly in price and quality.
In this video conferencing equipment essentials list, we are considering the gear necessary to produce high-quality video calls while keeping it low-budget.
Computer
The first piece of equipment necessary to make video calls is a computer or laptop. If it’s a quick meeting or if you are an attendee that will join as a listener, you might get away with using your mobile phone. On the other hand, if you want to maximize your resources and get your message across, it’s highly recommended to use a computer.
With a computer as part of your video conferencing equipment, you’ll be able to share your screen and use slide deck presentations. Most importantly, the computer gives you access to resources that will make your video conference much more professional.
Webcam
Another essential piece of equipment for video conferences is a camera. Since this list intends to help you produce high-quality video calls without breaking the bank, webcams are your best bet. Nowadays, you can find HD webcams and even 4K ones that fit any budget.
If you have a laptop, chances are you already have a built-in webcam. Sometimes, the quality of built-in cameras isn’t ideal, so you might still need a webcam. Regardless of the camera you choose to add to your video conferencing equipment toolbox, lighting and positioning play massive roles in your results.
Check out this blog post on Looking betters on video calls to get a better understanding of camera angles and lighting specifics.
Earphones & microphone
When it comes to video calls and conferences, one of the biggest mistakes people make is relying on computer speakers and built-in microphones. With speakers, the sound ends up traveling back into the mic and creating that unpleasant feedback no one wants in a video call.
Audio tends to be underestimated in video conferences, but it’s a crucial element. The effectiveness of your video conference depends on sound as much as it does on video and content. Therefore, earphones are an essential piece of video conferencing equipment.
If your earphones have a built-in microphone, you can test its quality and see if it works for you. Otherwise, you can get an external mic to boost the quality of your video call. External microphones come in many different forms and aren’t expensive.
Internet connection
The downfall of so many video conferences is the unstable internet connections. Suddenly, someone else starts using the wifi and your internet upload speed drops. Next thing you know, your video call becomes choppy or stuck on the least flattering facial expressions.
Sometimes, technical issues with your internet speed are inevitable, but you can minimize the possibilities. When you put together your video conferencing equipment, consider having an ethernet cable to connect directly to the internet instead of relying on wifi. Make sure your upload speed is there by running a quick Speedtest.
Another tip to improve your connection’s stability is to test it during different times of the day. You’ll notice that it works better at certain hours, which you can use to your advantage.
Software applications for video conferences
Apps aren’t necessarily video conferencing equipment per se, but they can still influence your needs for specific gear. For instance, your chosen video conferencing app might have system requirements that your computer doesn’t meet, which might lead you to an upgrade or selecting a different software.
For the most part, video conferencing apps have similar tools and functions. The best way to choose the right one for your business is to test a few different ones, such as Zoom, GoToMeeting, Webex, and so on. It will help you assess all the pros and cons and make an informed decision.
What’s more, when it comes to software apps for video conferences, you could consider a live video software such as ManyCam to get extra tools. ManyCam connects to the conferencing app as a virtual webcam, and it allows you to:
- Adjust video and audio settings for improved quality
- Add multiple video sources and quickly switch between them
- Share your screen, slide decks, images, and videos
- Use picture-in-picture windows to keep attendees engaged
- Replace your background with Chroma Key
- Draw on your screen to drive focus
In other words, you’ll be able to produce professional video conferences without having to invest big on video conferencing equipment.
Note: some of the ManyCam features mentioned above are available on paid subscriptions only.
Key Takeaway
In the video production sphere, getting the right gear can be expensive. But, when it comes to effective video conferences, you can achieve great results on any budget. Video conferencing equipment essentials such as a computer, webcam, earphones, microphones, internet connection, and software applications will be enough to produce high-quality video calls.
What would you add to this list of essential video conferencing equipment?
Enhance your video conferences with ManyCam!
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