14 Product Recommendations To Achieve An HD Virtual Meeting Experience
- Posted by Chris Justice
- On December 18, 2020
A major lifeline this year has been virtual meetings! Zoom and other platforms have kept us connected to loved-ones, facilitated education for students from kindergarten through college, and enabled remote work environments (both in and outside the office). Solid tech equipment can make the virtual meeting experience so much better! So this year if you’re looking for a well-deserved upgrade for yourself, we thought we’d help you out!
Below you’ll find a list of products recommended by Perry Copus, one of our Product Architects, who knows his stuff! Perry has made it his passion to perfect the art of the HD Zoom meeting. He has researched and tested each item on this shopping list and can confirm that together or individually they will do wonders to elevate your online virtual meeting game!
AUDIO EQUIPMENT
Audio Technica AT897 Shotgun Microphone
Why Upgrade? A great microphone, with proper placement, can make a significant difference in improving your Zoom meeting sound quality.
Product Description: “This high-performance short shotgun offers outstanding long-distance audio pickup due to the narrow acceptance angle of line + gradient design. It also features smooth, natural-sounding on-axis audio quality and excellent off-axis rejection of sound arriving from the sides and rear of the mic.”
ART Tube MP Vacuum Tube Microphone Amplifier
Why Upgrade? Microphone preamplifiers prepare a microphone signal to be processed by other equipment. They deliver a cleaner, more accurate signal with higher gain, lower noise, less distortion, and more headroom.
Product Description: “The Tube MP is the world’s most popular external tube microphone preamp. Whether you’re working with a digital, computer, or analog recording system, the hybrid design of the Tube MP allows it to add warmth and fatness to a signal while maintaining exceptionally low noise and high quality.”
Native Instruments Komplete Audio 6 USB Audio Interface (2nd Generation)
Why Upgrade? The audio interface allows professional microphones and speakers, which often have XLR or other non-computer connections, to be connected to the computer’s USB port.
Product Description: “Connect, create, and collaborate with the six-in, six-out audio interface. Featuring high-definition recording, ultra-low latency, and flexible connectivity, AUDIO 6 brings your whole setup together. You can plug in mics, guitars, and synths, create, send and return loops with effects, and control synths and drum machines.”
DEKIRU Sound Proof Padding Foam Panels
Why Upgrade? These sound-absorbing foam squares are a low-cost solution to improve the sound quality of virtual meetings. By adding these panels to all four walls of your space, you can greatly reduce echoes and background noise.
Fluid Audio FX8 8” Coaxial Studio Reference Monitor
Product Description: “The Fader Series FX8 studio reference monitor was born out of trying to solve one big problem: How do you make an 8″ 2-way monitor that isn’t 15″ tall? The amplifier supplies 130 Watts of Class A/B power to each cabinet, and the heat sink and standby circuit allow them to operate conveniently and reliably.”
VIDEO EQUIPMENT
FUJIFILM X100V Digital Camera
Why Upgrade? Upgrading to a DSLR or mirrorless camera creates a pixel-perfect HD quality video experience. Pro tip: You’ll want to get an A/C adapter to power the camera, as an hour-long Zoom call will drain your batteries.
Product Description: “The X100V’s timeless body has top and bottom plates milled from single pieces of aluminum, which results in a refined and classic camera body with clean, attractive edges. Finished with a beautiful satin coating, the X100V is a perfect combination of design and engineering that is sure to make photographers of any level joyful as they make their images.”
Elgato Cam Link 4k HDMI Capture Device
Why Upgrade? To upgrade your DSLR or mirrorless camera for use as a webcam, you will (likely) need a USB capture card to convert your camera’s HDMI output into a USB input.
Product Description: Coupled with Cam Link 4K, your camera appears as a webcam in all your favorite apps. Superb quality at 1080p60 or even up to 4K at 30 frames per second keeps your stream professional. Ultra-low-latency technology gets you up and running on your favorite platform in no time. And your camera has never felt more powerful.
Lightweight Camera Mount Tripod Stand: 16.5″-50″
Why Upgrade? Using a desktop adjustable mini tripod enables eye-level camera placement. This inexpensive addition creates the illusion of eye-contact with fellow online meeting attendees.
LIGHTING EQUIPMENT
Dracast Video Conference Essential 3-Light Kit
Why Upgrade? Among the top reasons for poor video quality during a virtual meeting is bad lighting. Investing in a simple lighting kit can make a marked difference in the image you cast on the screen.
Product description: “This Video Conference Essential 3-Light Kit for image makers who need a portable and lightweight system for everything from vlogging to portraiture that’s ready to spark your creativity right out of the box. The kit includes two S-Series 500 Bi-Color Lights and one Camlux Pro MAX fixture. All have a variable color temperature, so they can be matched to ambient lighting or various skin tones.”
24 inch (60cm) Round Collapsible Light Reflectors
Why Upgrade? Adding a simple reflector to your setup makes a dramatic improvement to any video call. Illuminate your face by positioning the reflector to bounce your light source back on to you.
Product description: “The 7-in-1 oval Collapsible Reflector is versatile in the field and the studio, providing shadow-lightening detail in your subject, using available, or studio lighting. Your choice of color — White, Blue, Green, Gold, Silver, Black, will be determined by the lighting conditions, and your personal preference.”
Lighting Gel Sheets
Why Upgrade? Lighting gel sheets are used primarily to change or filter the color of light. Filter color choice and type may vary depending on the available features for your lighting equipment or type of lighting source. Lee Filters Zircon Filter Packs are a good place to start perfecting the lighting for your next virtual meeting.
WORKSTATION EQUIPMENT
Secretlab OMEGA Chair 2020 Series
Why Upgrade? Ergonomic chairs are designed to provide comfort and support, ensure proper alignment, and reduce back strain, resulting in better posture.
Product Description: Endless hours of comfort regardless of what you’re doing with this flagship best-seller. With marked improvements to comfort, support, and reliability, the 2020 update to the multi-award-winning Secretlab OMEGA delivers an unparalleled sitting experience that is hailed as the gold standard of gaming chairs.
Memory Foam Lumbar Support Back Cushion with 3D Mesh Cover
Product description: LOVEHOME lumbar support cushion is ergonomically designed to fit the streamline of your spine curve, contoured design effectively helps realign your back, hips, and spine, it can sufficiently alleviate the pain & fatigue of the lumbar & vertebra area. The memory foam lumbar cushion gently keeps your spine in proper alignment and supports your lower back’s natural curve to help you sit up confidently and maintain a healthy vibrant posture.
We are a creative product development firm specializing in electronic medical device design. Team expertise includes Electrical, Embedded Software, Mechanical and Test Engineers, Industrial, Interaction, and Graphic Designers, as well as others. Engenious Design capabilities include an on-site electronics lab, quick turn model shop, and short-run production capabilities with a full medical device quality management system.
Do you have questions about the products above or what settings Perry recommends to achieve his HD virtual meeting video and sound quality? Would you like to talk to our engineers about product design and development? Let’s connect, today!
