Video Conferencing: Why Webcams are Not the Complete Solution

Value-for-money digital accessories giant Trust on why AV quality is king

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Video Conferencing: Why Webcams Won’t Cut It As Business Returns to the Office
Meeting Rooms and Devices

Published: December 8, 2021

Simon Wright

Technology Journalist

Work from anywhere is the new default for millions of enterprises around the world. 

Phones, tablets, laptops: they all enable us to be ‘in’ when we’re ‘out’. 

They (and the associated software that has transformed the way we work) enable us to attend meetings and interact with our colleagues and customers whenever we want and wherever we want. 

Those online collaborations are now ubiquitous: much of our lives seemingly lived on screen. 

But what about the quality of those virtual experiences? 

Crystal clear audio-visuals are surely essential in order to get the most from any online meeting. 

And how you and your teams are seen by those with whom they communicate outside of your organisation must rank highly in the credibility stakes. 

That is why phones, tablets and laptops and even webcams no longer have what it takes when it comes to video conferencing. 

 “There’s no doubt that video conferencing has transformed the way the world works – it’s hard to believe that we used to expend so much resource and energy on attending physical, face-to-face meetings,” says Joost Buijsen, Video Conferencing Marketing Manager at global value-for-money digital accessories provider Trust International.  

“Now we know it is possible for workforces to remain effective by conducting business virtually. That means there is huge value in investing in high quality kit.” 

In the beginning (as the pandemic forced workers out of their offices and into their homes), built-in device cameras and speakers provided an emergency means of being in the (virtual) room. 

Almost two years on, astonishingly high-quality (and surprisingly affordable) VC equipment – like Trust’s multi-award-winning, 4k ultra-HD solution ‘Iris’, launched in March 2021 – has changed the game. 

Whether deployed in new-look ‘hybrid’ offices – where rooms and workspaces are increasingly VC-equipped – or in the hands of those working from home or on customer sites, it is even being credited with improving productivity. 

“People who switch from their laptop webcam to Iris are completely blown away by the difference,” says Buijsen. 

“Webcams are not designed for use by more than one person in a room. Sitting shoulder to shoulder, it is perhaps possible for two people to fit within the camera’s field of view, but that means there is no space for social distancing. 

“The Iris user experience is like night and day compared to a laptop webcam. The picture resolution is striking and the automatic image enhancement is brilliant. 

“The built-in microphone and speakers provide noise cancellation, echo is non-existent and it automatically compensates for unwanted noises such as shouting, drilling or air conditioning. 

“Users are amazed by the experience and say they feel more empowered as a result. They feel more confident when they make a contribution to the meeting and feel able to land their message more effectively” 

“Just as importantly, others in the meeting see Iris users in a very good light because the quality of their audio and video is so high.” 

Other Iris features include ‘speaker’ and ‘participant’ modes. 

Speaker mode automatically zooms in on the person who is speaking; participant mode uses a 120 degree field of view to frame and focus on the whole group whilst simultaneously ‘ignoring’ any empty space. 

A remote-control function allows a presenter to switch between modes at will, to ensure optimum flow. 

Iris is easily deployed via USB plug ‘n play, requires no additional software or configuration and works well in different-sized rooms or spaces. 

“We have certainly come a very long way in a short time,” says Buijsen. “As with everything, the more we use something, the more quality we demand from it. 

“That is absolutely the case with video conferencing. Phones, tablets, laptops and webcams simply cannot compete with dedicated VC equipment. 

“That quality is only likely to increase too. There will be no going back to routine physical, face-to-face meetings so video conferencing will become even more a part of all our lives than it is now.” 

To learn more about how Trust’s range of digital work and lifestyle accessories can improve the way you and your teams communicate, visit https://www.trust.com/en/product/24073-iris-4k-ultra-high-definition-conference-camera 

 

 

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