What hardware do you use for online meetings?
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I run a lot of online workshops with clients, as well as the usual meetings, normally in Teams, but sometimes in Zoom, mostly from my home office.
Previously I've just used my laptop camera together with a Plantronics headset. I've just bought a cheapish Logitech C922 webcam - partly to improve the image quality (although it doesn't seem to make any difference in Teams which isn't HD) and partly to be more flexible about where I put the camera.
I was hoping the microphone on the webcam would be decent, but it's not. I really want to ditch the headset and use a microphone so I feel less constricted and uncomfortable, but I'm not sure how good cheap microphones are (circa $50).
What do use? Any experiences good or bad?
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Our users mainly use laptops with built in camera/mics.
Those who need better audio use a headset.
Our docking station setup uses whatever webcam we could find during the pandemic (might be time to look at better ones) and a headset.
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I have the same webcam and you can keep using the webcam for the image and pick something else for the sound.
I use the one below, but whatever you use for a smartphone can be paired to your laptop.
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Our new setup includes 2 different models of Dell's video conferencing monitors. Built in camera (pops up from the top edge), as well as a decent array of mics and speakers below the display. I think management didn't really think it through, as our office is mostly cubicles. 2 or more people on a call turns into a weird, multi-node speakerphone, complete with odd echoes that come from both latency and physical distance. They probably would be great if everyone had them at home, but it's not really a practical solution if you have a budget.
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If you want a mic to have good sound, it need to be close to your mouth. It's just physics.
That's why the webcam doesn't do a good job.
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@RojoLoco said in What hardware do you use for online meetings?:
Our new setup includes 2 different models of Dell's video conferencing monitors. Built in camera (pops up from the top edge), as well as a decent array of mics and speakers below the display. I think management didn't really think it through, as our office is mostly cubicles. 2 or more people on a call turns into a weird, multi-node speakerphone, complete with odd echoes that come from both latency and physical distance. They probably would be great if everyone had them at home, but it's not really a practical solution if you have a budget.
Or practical in cubes....
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Model numbers for the monitors mentioned above:
Dell 27 Video Conferencing Monitor - C2722DE ~ $700
Dell 24 Video Conferencing Monitor - C2423H ~ $450
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@Carnival-Boy said in What hardware do you use for online meetings?:
I was hoping the microphone on the webcam would be decent, but it's not. I really want to ditch the headset and use a microphone so I feel less constricted and uncomfortable, but I'm not sure how good cheap microphones are (circa $50).
I use an Amazon Basics desktop USB mic. Sits on the desk on a tripod, sounds pretty good, points at your mouth. Still pretty close. It's cheap but does a great job.
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@RojoLoco said in What hardware do you use for online meetings?:
Model numbers for the monitors mentioned above:
Dell 27 Video Conferencing Monitor - C2722DE ~ $700
Dell 24 Video Conferencing Monitor - C2423H ~ $450
The 24 doesn't seem that bad, assuming the camera and mic are good. But that seems like one hell of an upcharge for the 27
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@scottalanmiller I was looking at getting that mic as it gets very good reviews. My only concern was some criticism that it is too sensitive and picks up too much background noise. My house is normally very quiet though, the only thing I worry about is that it might pick up the sound of me typing which would annoy people?
But if it gets the SAM seal of approval it's good enough for me.
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@RojoLoco said in What hardware do you use for online meetings?:
Our new setup includes 2 different models of Dell's video conferencing monitors. Built in camera (pops up from the top edge), as well as a decent array of mics and speakers below the display. I think management didn't really think it through, as our office is mostly cubicles. 2 or more people on a call turns into a weird, multi-node speakerphone, complete with odd echoes that come from both latency and physical distance. They probably would be great if everyone had them at home, but it's not really a practical solution if you have a budget.
Setup a two this week and it has not been a fun experience. We have the Dell 24" models and had to hook them up on old pc's using DP and USB-C to A adapter. They do work pretty well when setup via USB-C on newer laptop.
The microphones, IMO, are not the best but the monitor and camera are pretty decent. For only $229 on Amazon, they are ok.
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@pmoncho yeah, they are way better with modern computers because of all the USB-C stuff. I haven't really had a chance to make any calls with the new monitors, so I don't know how well the mics work. My boss knows I won't turn on a camera just for a Teams call, they didn't even buy one for me.
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@RojoLoco said in What hardware do you use for online meetings?:
@pmoncho yeah, they are way better with modern computers because of all the USB-C stuff. I haven't really had a chance to make any calls with the new monitors, so I don't know how well the mics work. My boss knows I won't turn on a camera just for a Teams call, they didn't even buy one for me.
Me neither. I mentioned that I don't want one and will just use a headset with no video.
The mic is super low on a Dell 3020. Don't know if it is because the system does not have USB 3.0 port or not. On a Dell 9020 with HDMI and USBC-A adapter in USB-3 port the mic is about 75% louder.
I don't know what setting I can use to enhance the recording from the mic? Don't think there is one.
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@pmoncho I think that depends on the particular meeting software. I think Teams has a setting to reduce background noise, but I'd have to double check that, not at my desk right now.
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@RojoLoco said in What hardware do you use for online meetings?:
@pmoncho I think that depends on the particular meeting software. I think Teams has a setting to reduce background noise, but I'd have to double check that, not at my desk right now.
I will take a peak at that on Monday. My test was just using the Windows 10 camera and recorded a brief video.
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Audio device settings in Teams:
