From managing remote teams to closing business deals overseas, video conferencing has become a critical need for businesses of all sizes and functions. This means that successful firms and agencies will need to provide their clients and employees with a suitable solution for high-quality video conferencing, which is the pinnacle of remote work and communications.
No longer do companies have to subject their clients or employees to subpar interactions. With HD video streaming and clear, noise-reducing audio, the best video conferencing tech can transform your business operations by bringing an in-person experience to your digital meetings.
Video conferencing definition
Video conferencing is a meeting with two or more participants who are participating from different locations. They use a computer connection, audio, and video to connect. Video conferencing can be used for team meetings, webinars, product demos, job interviews, and more.
The main purpose of video conferencing is to help people connect, regardless of where they’re located. For a successful video conference, you need a few tools.
What kind of video conferencing equipment is needed?
Here’s a list of some of the most commonly used video conferencing equipment:
- Displays: laptop, desktop monitor, television screen
- Microphones and cameras: built-in microphones and webcams, USB microphones and webcams
- Speakers: built-in computer speaker, external speaker, VoIP (voice over IP) conferencing phone
- Internet Connection: WiFi, ethernet
- Video Conferencing Software: video conferencing tools and apps
Types of video conferencing systems
Depending on your needs, there are different types of video conferencing systems you can choose from.
- Telepresence video conferencing system: Multiple screens or monitors are used to make everyone feel like they’re joining the meeting in person.
- Desktop video conferencing system: All the video conferencing hardware and software is built-in to a computer or laptop.
- Room-based video conferencing: The video conferencing technology is built into the room itself.
No matter which type of video conferencing you choose, there are numerous use cases for video conferencing systems. It helps you connect with colleagues, clients, and prospective employees.
Top uses for video conferencing technology
- Team meetings
- Webinars
- Product demos
- One-on-one training + support
- Job interviews
1. Team meetings
Tired of being left out, talked over, or misheard during digital meetings? The basic video conference call experience isn’t suitable for a productive business meeting environment. One forward-facing camera cannot capture an entire conference room full of people.
A standard microphone will also fail to produce loud and clear audio on the receiving end of the conversation. Your team’s time is too important to have to repeat themselves constantly. The information being discussed in meetings is too important to risk questionable sound quality. Your remote folks deserve the same experience as your in-office team, so give it to them!
A 360-degree video conferencing device with high-resolution cameras and high-quality audio recording equipment can instantly upgrade your team’s digital meetings and equalize the playing field for remote and in-person teammates alike.
2. Webinars
The entire premise of a webinar requires high-quality visual and audio input. Your viewers are watching because they need the information you have. If your video doesn’t support the sharing of HD visuals or doesn’t sufficiently capture the room you are in, then your watchers become listeners.
If your audience wanted to listen to information, they would have just selected a podcast on the topic. Likewise, if your participants can’t understand what you are saying, you’ aren’t fully engaging with them.
When you take the audio aspect away from your presentation, you enter a vast pool of competing visual and audio-visual content. To provide a complete AV experience to your webinar participants, you need to be equipped with the right set of equipment.
3. Product demos
Every aspect of your company is represented in your products. Just think about all of the brainstorming sessions, design work, and manufacturing hours that have been spent to launch your merchandise.
Now imagine that a sales pitch flopped, and all of that hard work was for naught because you didn’t have the proper video conferencing equipment to truly capture the full detail of your product. This scalable solution will also save your business money if virtual demos can replace costly onsite visits (or at least partially replace them).
4. One-on-one training + support
Whether you’re providing onboarding training for a new employee or offering real-time support for a major client, every digital interaction your company conducts can either be choppy and unproductive or as seamless and efficient as an in-person meeting.
The difference lies within the video conferencing technology you invest in. Unless you have high-quality video conferencing equipment, your company won’t be able to provide a top-notch 24/7, anytime, anywhere communication stream between teams and customers. You will also widen your applicant pool for support representatives by offering remote roles that can be done from anywhere.
5. Job interviews
The typical hiring process can be laborious. Each day you go without your new hire, you’re not only missing out on that position’s productivity, but you’re missing out on the productivity of any interviewers involved in the hiring process.
High-quality, instant communication solutions, like video conferencing tools and tech, allow both current team members and potential new hires to quickly conduct an efficient yet substantial interview.
Not only will remote meetings be convenient, but through the use of video conferencing tech, interviewers will be able to obtain key visual cues from the interview that offer the same insights as an in-person interview.
Best video conferencing software
The success of your video conferences depends on high-quality audio and video connections, and picking a video conferencing software is an important decision. Owl Labs’ mission is to make teams and remote employees feel more connected (in our case, via our 360° video conferencing camera), and so we must understand which software solutions support our customers best.
Here is an overview of the best video conferencing software with a breakdown of features video conferencing users care about the most.
Best video conferencing hardware
Good video conferencing hardware can make a big difference in the quality of your meetings. A high-quality camera that captures clear and sharp video, even in low-light conditions, is ideal for any conference room. Pairing this with a quality microphone and speaker will ensure that all your meeting attendees are seen and heard no matter where they are located.
Another great thing to look for in your video conferencing hardware system is ease of use. With hardware that’s plug-and-play – even for people who are not tech-savvy – you’re ensuring that anyone can start a meeting with minimal issues.
Two of our favorite pieces of video conferencing hardware include the award-winning Meeting Owl and the all-new Owl Bar.
Meeting Owl 3
The Meeting Owl 3 is an intelligent 360° video conferencing camera, microphone, and speaker that enhances the hybrid meeting experience. It captures 360° video in 1080p HD and 360° audio up to 18 feet, ensuring that everyone in the room is seen and heard clearly. The Owl’s AI-powered features, such as automatic speaker tracking and smart zooming, focus on the active speaker and keep the conversation flowing smoothly.
Owl Bar
The Owl Bar is a versatile 4K video conferencing device designed to enhance collaboration in meeting rooms. The Owl Bar’s built-in microphones and speakers deliver exceptional audio quality, even in large meeting rooms, while its noise-cancellation technology eliminates background distractions. Pairing the Owl Bar with the Meeting Owl 3 ensures that remote attendees can see every angle of the room and never miss a thing.
Video conferencing tutorials
The 2023 State of Remote Work Report found that 80% of workers experience lost time due to technical difficulties during online/hybrid meetings. This is valuable productivity time that’s being lost due to ineffective tech that can be freed up so that teams are better set up for success.
To help your meetings start smoothly, use these tutorials and learn how to run your own video conferences and use technology without needing to call for extra help.
When it comes to technology, it’s easy to say, “I’m terrible at tech,” or “I’m not tech-savvy; someone else can do it.” But what happens the day that your techie coworker is out sick, and you have to handle the call? Or are you at home without access to IT? Start learning how to be your own tech genius with these video conferencing tutorials.
