The video bar, video conferencing device, video conferencing system, conference room solution, meeting room solution... there are many names for this beloved device. Regardless of what solution one wants to call it, all-in-one videobar devices are one of the hottest AV trends for 2023.
One day, we sat down once again at the office over a cup of coffee and delved into this hot topic. The results are presented below. If this theme is also relevant to you, we warmly welcome you to join us for a coffee break.
More and more people are working remotely and want an efficient way to communicate with their colleagues and customers. Even as people return to the office, the trend of holding virtual meetings and appointments shows no signs of slowing down. Therefore, many companies have recognized the importance of investing in upgrading their office AV equipment.
Virtual meetings are a distinct entity where the interplay between camera, microphone, and speaker is crucial from the AV perspective. Therefore, one of the most popular solutions has been the acquisition of Video bar devices, as they provide an easy and convenient way to hold high-quality video conferences where the manufacturer has already considered the interplay of sound and picture.
For the IT department, they provide a single package that contains everything needed in one go, which makes the procurement and installation easier. Although Video bar devices have many advantages, they are not a silver bullet that solves all situations. The choice of device depends on the need.
If you need a simple solution for holding virtual meetings, a single camera and microphone may suffice. In recent years, the smallest installations have included an additional screen and perhaps a detachable Jabra camera that can be connected separately to a laptop.
In larger venues, there are usually more microphones and larger speakers. It may also be desirable to have multiple microphones and network streaming. For larger venues, it is advisable to consider a broader system that includes larger speakers and microphones.
In practice, the choice of devices depends on the size and purpose of the company. Devices are available for all sizes of setups, from laptops to full-sized auditoriums. However, it is worth taking the time and consideration to choose the right solution for your company's needs.
All-in-one videobar devices are high-quality USB-connected devices designed specifically for conference rooms. Essentially, they are soundbars with integrated cameras and microphones. They often have a camera that follows the sound, directional microphones, and speakers all in one package.
The devices are typically connected via USB directly to a computer, so everything needed is in one device. Additionally, many devices are Teams-certified, which makes them even easier to use. Instead of having to connect multiple devices separately, everything is in one device. This also reduces potential problems that can occur when a computer doesn't recognize a particular device.
Using all-in-one videobar devices provides all the necessary AV equipment in one convenient package. It is also easier for the installer to install compared to separate devices.
The popularity of video bar devices has grown in recent years for several reasons.
Firstly, there is a global increase in the need for video conferencing and remote work, which has increased the demand for easy-to-use and reliable video conferencing solutions.
Secondly, all-in-one video bar devices are very easy to install and use, which makes them an attractive option for organizations that do not want to spend time and money on complex systems installation and maintenance. From a user perspective, it means that when you arrive at the location, everything needed is already set up and ready to use.
Additionally, video bar devices are usually less expensive than traditional video conferencing systems, making them an attractive option for small organizations and remote workers.
Finally, video bar devices are versatile and suitable for different-sized spaces and use cases, making them an attractive option for various organizations. By bringing your own laptop and connecting it to a video bar device, you can seamlessly integrate the camera, microphone, and speaker components.
It's difficult to name the leading video bar device manufacturers as there are many good options available on the market. Based on our own installations, however, Crestron and Yealink have proven to be good choices. In addition, Yamaha, Logitech, Poly, Cisco, AVer, and Jabra, among others offers similar solutions.
It should be noted, however, that there are multiple manufacturers and it is recommended to explore different options and choose the one that best suits your needs.
It can be said that the choice of AV equipment directly affects the quality of virtual meetings - for better or for worse. If the user is dealing with cameras, microphones, and speakers from different years, there are often problems present.
When you choose a quality video bar, you don't need separate cameras and microphones, as everything you need is in one convenient package. For example, many new video bars are directly compatible with platforms such as Teams, which makes their use easier and smoother. One advantage of all-in-one video bar devices is their simplicity and ease of use. The devices are designed to work together, which improves meeting efficiency and reduces technical issues.
In addition, many video bar devices have built-in echo cancellation, which improves audio quality and prevents echoes from the speaker's speech. Although there are many different options on the market, all-in-one video bar devices are often a reliable solution for improving the quality of virtual meetings.
A dual camera system often refers to two separate cameras in a video bar device. One camera is the content camera, which captures, for example, writing on a whiteboard or presentation material, while the other camera captures the speaker's image.
With a dual camera system, you can easily choose which camera to use at any given time, such as sharing the laptop screen or using the content camera for recording the whiteboard. This improves the smoothness of the meeting and facilitates content sharing.
The content camera also adds value to the meeting by allowing presentation material or the whiteboard to be displayed while the speaker is in the picture. A dual camera system is a good solution when you want to diversify the content of a video conference and make it more interactive.
A dual camera system provides more options and opportunities in video conferencing. However, it is difficult to say whether it is better than a single camera system, as it depends so much on the user's needs.
A dual camera system allows you to choose different camera angles, which can be useful, for example, when sharing screens or giving presentations. On the other hand, a single camera system may be sufficient if you only need a simple solution for video conferencing. The final choice depends on the user's needs and requirements.
Automatic framing is a feature in which the camera can digitally recognize individuals or participants in the image and crop the picture to show a closer view using the camera's digital zoom. Framing typically makes it easier to focus attention on participants and makes video conferencing visually more appealing.
The automatic framing effect improves the quality of video conferencing in many ways. With automatic framing, the camera can recognize individuals or participants and crop the image to focus on the essential content. This improves the quality of video conferencing by showing only what is necessary, i.e., the participants. This makes it easier to use the space and gives participants a better understanding of the event.
Furthermore, automatic framing makes it easier for participants because they do not have to adjust the camera themselves and point it in the direction of the speaker since the camera can pick up the speaker on its own. This, in turn, improves the quality of communication and creates a more natural video conferencing experience.
The ability for video bar devices to integrate with other AV systems depends on the specific system in use and the video bar itself. Often, video bar devices are designed to work as a standalone solution, so their expandability is limited. While adding microphones or speakers may be possible, integrating with larger systems can be more challenging.
Additionally, older AV systems may not be compatible with new video bars designed for video conferencing, so compatibility should be considered. This is particularly true for more complex systems, such as those found in auditoriums.
Therefore, businesses and educational institutions should consider a few factors before choosing an all-in-one video bar device.
Firstly, it is important to choose a video bar that fits the intended use and the environment in which it will be used. Video bars are primarily designed for smaller groups and working closely with the device, and may not be suitable for larger rooms. In some cases, additional microphones may also be necessary for larger spaces.
Secondly, if there are specific needs or requirements that are not met by a standard video bar, it may be best to consult an AV professional who can ensure that the chosen solution meets the specific needs of the space.
It's worth considering purchasing a video bar device when you have a smaller meeting room that can accommodate about 4-8 people, and you're looking for an all-in-one solution to enhance your AV equipment. In larger meeting rooms, video bars may not be enough on their own and may require additional microphones to support them.
The cost of video bar devices varies depending on the manufacturer, model, and features. Basic models can cost a few hundred euros, while more advanced and versatile models can cost up to thousands of euros. Factors that affect the price include camera resolution, microphone quality, speaker efficiency, and additional features such as automatic framing and voice detection.
One of the strengths of video bar devices is that they are cost-effective solutions, especially in terms of ease of installation and use. Although prices vary, their simple and quick installation and ease of use make them very functional solutions with few problems.