How to choose the best video conferencing camera

Tips for choosing the best video conferencing camera for your meeting space

Despite that fact that we're now all well accustomed to having video conference calls, we still encounter problems with video quality. Low video quality means that participants can't be seen clearly. Sometimes the meeting room and participants are not completely included, only part or some of them are in the frame. Speakers are not correctly framed or easily identifiable when talking. All of these issues are easily overcome by selecting the best video conferencing camera for your meeting space and set up. So, we've put together some tips for choosing the best video conferencing camera for your meeting space.   

Your room/space 

The size of your room, positioning and size of your table and also the number of people you will have in your meetings, ultimately determines your best choice of camera. 

Web cams are designed for one person calls and small cameras are more suited to huddle spaces where two or three people will be participating in the meeting whereas larger meeting spaces that hold more people will require cameras designed to handle wide fields of view perhaps with auto tracking and framing technology features. 

Resolution 

Your video conference camera should present a clear image. A good resolution camera can provide better video quality, allowing everyone to clearly see the details of the participants and the conference room. Many video conferencing cameras support high resolution and the crystal-clear image quality can make all the difference to your meeting.  

Compatibility 

Now that most of us are using a variety of video platforms, checking your camera compatibility is important. Is it compatible with Teams, Zoom, Google Meet or whatever video platforms you will need to use? 

Field of View 

A  camera with a wide field of view allows all participants to be included in the frame during your call. A wide angle lens provides your remote participants with a better view, especially in larger meeting rooms and avoids people in your room from crowding around the camera in order to be seen. 

Auto framing technology 

Auto framing functionality will automatically adjust the camera framing size based on the number of participants and their location to ensure that everyone is in view and also cuts out showing any unnecessary empty places around the meeting table. 

Voice tracking technology 

Voice or speaker tracking means that the camera will zoom in and focus on the current speaker until they stop talking. Working alongside this, the auto framing technology will detect the face and position of the speaker and automatically make them the center of the frame. 

Audio pickup range 

When it comes to audio, you should consider the pick up range of the device. Since audio and video work together it's important to be able to clearly hear everyone. Choosing a video camera with a long voice pick up distance is key, especially in larger rooms, making sure that everyone can be heard clearly even if you are sitting at the far end of the room. 

Price 

One of the first questions we ask is do you have a budget in mind? It is good to look at all of the available options, but often price can be a deciding factor. Finding the most cost effective option for your requirements is always our priority. 

Positioning your camera 

This is often missed but is a key part of the end picture!

It's important to bear in mind the optimal position for your camera. When positioning and installing a camera in your meeting room setting, it’s best to place it at eye level or as close to eye level as possible. This provides the most natural orientation for face-to-face collaboration.  

We're here to help 

If you need help choosing the best camera for your meeting room have a chat with our knowledgeable team who will be able to advise on the best, most cost effective options for you. 

Chat with us