Videoconferencing Room Recommendations

Products & Services Videoconferencing Room Recommendations

Telephone (or cell phone) available near unit for troubleshooting

Telephone headsets (cordless) are very useful for "behind the scenes" work in a large conference

Good Acoustics/Low Ambient Noise

Glass and flat surfaces can cause echo sounds
Be aware of nearby mechanical/furnace rooms
Be aware of heating A/C
If you must be in a room with noise, move microphones away from offending objects.
Local noise (ie. whispering, rustling papers, pen tapping etc.) should be kept to a minimum.

Light Colored (non-reflective) rooms work best

Window treatment should be used to diffuse direct sunlight

Background should be uncluttered but not stark

It is nice to have a sign to designate site name

Typical Classroom Conferences

The following monitors are suggested:

for the audience to view the "far end(s)"

for the presenter to view the transmitted image

for the instructor to view the "far end(s)" without turning his back to the audience

Instructor should be shown "head and shoulders"

Instructor should be less than 10 feet from the camera

Microphone should be placed close to instructor

Any questions from the audience (near or remote) should be repeated

Slides should be loaded into the Polycom for "best" picture quality

Instructions for loading slide can be found by pressing the yellow "INFO" button on the Polycom remote.

Mute remote sites except during Q & A

View Typical Classroom Conferences

Typical Conference Room Conferences

The following monitors are suggested:

for the audience to view the "far end(s)"

for the audience to view the transmitted image

Assumes a "group" at each site

Groups should be 10 to 15 feet from camera

Microphones should be placed throughout group

Audience should be asked to be quiet (no whispering/rustling papers etc.

A large TV or Projection Screen may be used for large groups to make the another site look life size across the table

Camera and projection TV(s) may be separated.

View Typical Conference Room Conferences

Large "Auditorium" Conference

The following monitors are suggested:

for the audience to view the "far end(s)" in a large room may want multiple monitors

for the presenter to view the transmitted image

for the presenter to view the "far end(s)" without turning his back to the audience

Presenter should be shown "head and shoulders" in full screen

View slides (if any) in full size

For a more professional show, a "video switchboard" and camera operators may be used to create picture in picture, and easily switch between camera sources.
Mute remote sites except during Q & A

Lighting

Lighting should be "diffused"

Windows/bright lights should not be in background

Spotlights will wash out background

Clothing

Solid Colors work best

Avoid bright whites