Upgrade your video conferencing system and

Jun 2, 2022

Utilizing the best video conferencing system not only makes sure that your guests have a great experience, but it also increases your confidence when you present.

You are confident that your video and audio quality is crisp. You're eye level with the camera. Your notes from your presentation are prepared to impress your audience. Live streaming can be fun and energizing.

Not sure which video conference equipment to invest in? From microphones to ring lights and laptop stand Here's a complete an inventory of the necessary items you'll require to step up your speaker or home office setup.

Setting up your conferencing or virtual event set-up

The type of equipment to purchase will depend on your needs.

Be sure to consider your purpose before you go shopping for event and video conferencing equipment.

5 essential video conference tools

1. Camera

A good video conferencing camera offers improved picture quality even in low-light scenarios. Due to the higher resolution sensors as compared with the cameras that are built into laptops.

2. Ring light

Ring lights protect you from shadows showing in your face due to current overhead lighting. In fact, it's essential if you do not have any natural light source (read the word "large window" that is properly placed) within your home office. If you do, it's because you've got one, but only aren't recording or taking calls in the evening.

3. Live streaming or webinar software

If you choose to use no-cost tools to video conference but they have restrictions. For example, you can't record Google Meet calls. If you're thinking of reusing your meeting's material or record expert interviews by using Google Meet, reconsider your plans.

There are restrictions on how many attendees can join and also features like digital meeting rooms that come with no cost tools.

4. Microphone

Your computer's built-in microphone picks up a lot of background noise and dulls your natural speaking tone.

A stand-alone microphone can solve all of that and more- making it a must-pick for recording podcasts, delivering video presentations and delivering them. It's also a good option to purchase one when you're working with an entirely remote group.

5. Stands for laptops

A laptop stand brings you in line with your camera, enhancing your positioning in live video. In addition, the tiny adjustments it makes improve the desk's posture as well.

The best webcam

Do you want to be awe-inspiring when you make calls, stream as well as your recordings? A good webcam is one that has glass lenses with high resolution (minimum of 720p) and a high frame rate (minimum 15 fps for streaming videos), low-light correction, and autofocus.

The top three options below $150 include:

    Logitech HD Webcam C615  

Logitech H2 Webcam C615 is packed every feature which the top webcam has including a built-in microphone, autofocus, auto light correction, and 1080p resolution. It's also portable and allows you to record video and make calls from various places.

    Razor Kiyo Pro  

It also has resolution of 1080 pixels. The capabilities for low light are excellent -- as is its smart focused. Kiyo Pro also comes with HDR settings and a built-in rings lighting.

This webcam is detachable with a small hinge and pivot joint that allow users to simply clip it onto your monitor, and then rotate and tilt it in different directions.

    Elgato Facecam  

Its Elgato Facecam is a bit on the pricey side in contrast with the two options mentioned above. It comes with eight integrated lenses that each offer distinct benefits, such as improving contrast, stopping blurring of color, etc.

It's got 1080p resolution However, it doesn't have autofocus or a microphone, which is why it's a good pick for video creators and streamers and rather than remote office workers.Once you've picked the webcam you want to buy then check out this guide on optimizing webcam lighting to ensure that everything is picture-perfect for viewers.

The best ring light

When choosing a ring lamp Be aware of the colors and levels of brightness the light offers (the more you can choose from it, the greater flexibility it offers) and its dimension and the power options (rechargeable batteries offer more flexibility for recording from anywhere).

The best ring light also has a higher Color Rendering Index (CRI), which means what colors are displayed on the display will be more precise.

Three options for you (under $100,00):

    Neewer 18-inch Ring Light Kit  

It comes with 24 LED bulbs, which create a a brighter but more diffused illumination than the typical rings light. The light can also be dimmed, helping users achieve the brightness they need, and includes an easy-to-use remote to adjust lighting settings.

    Whellen Selfie Ring Light  

Its 3.5-inch diameter ring that has only one-half inch of thickness is portable by nature and easily slips onto any computer or mobile device. It has three modes of lighting (cool warm, cool, and combination) and adjustable brightness -which can be controlled by one button.

    Neewer Dimmable Flashing LEDs for Video Sets USB  

This one's a pair of light sources that you are able to alter on both sides of your camera while online. Each light panel features an array of 66 LEDs, with adjustable brightness and four color filters.

Here are additional ring light alternatives to consider.

Live streaming or webinar software

The most suitable video conference software for you is one that meets your requirements.

If you are choosing a video-conferencing tool, make sure it is:

  • Simple to utilize
  • We'll connect you and work using audio and video
  • Provides advanced noise elimination and virtual backgrounds.
  • Lets you present as well as edit and view whiteboards

The best live streaming platform also lets you customize streams, allows you to have more control over who can join, and delivers an excellent watching experience.

Best microphone

When you're looking to purchase a conferencing microphone, be sure to check if it connects to a USB or XLR connection. This type of connection is directly connected to your PC, while the latter has three prongs that connect to an interface.

For the top microphone options less than $150, we offer:

    Blue Yeti  

The Blue Yeti is a popular, ready to set up microphone for recording rich audio. It comes with four different styles for recording sound so you are able to switch them out for different situations.

The mic comes with important features like the volume button, mute and control. There's also a dial that lets you record sounds that are quiet or distant which is ideal to stream live or record podcasts.

    Shure MV5  

The compact size Shure MV5 is a fantastic choice when you're in search of an ultra-portable microphone or one which doesn't require a lot of room on your desk.

You can not only connect into your laptop or computer, but also with your iPad as well as iPhone. And, not to be forgotten, its Speech Enhancement Mode helps boost your vocal frequency

    Elgato Wave:3  

The mic is able to capture speech with its great frequency range. It plugs directly into your laptop or computer, and it provides natural sound diffusion as well. Connect the Elgato Wave 3 with an app from a third-party called the Wave Length Application that lets you control the microphone parameters.

Bonus: Headsets for the videoconferencing equipment kit

Want to upgrade your equipment for virtual meeting using headsets?

These are a good pick for people who want to connect a microphone with headphones. However, they're not the best choice if you're trying to enhance the quality of sound to stream live, as an example.

    Sony WH-1000XM4  

With a battery life of 30 hours it's perfect for noise cancellation and sound quality it provides. Best of all, it's an wireless headset.

    Boss 700  

This one's another good pick to consider if you're searching for headphones with excellent noise cancellation as well as great sound quality.

Are you looking for more choices? Go to Techradar for other options for headsets that you can choose from.

Laptop stand

Make sure the laptop stand you purchase is portable, durable, and can bear your laptop's weight. The last one is extremely important -- you don't need the stand to move in a sway as you put your laptop on it.

Here are laptop stand options that you can consider for less than $60

    The Rain Design iLevel 2  

The simple laptop stand is able to hold between 11 and 15 inches laptops. It's also very easy to alter and tilt upwards with a simple slide between left and right.

    Satechi Aluminum  

Satechi Aluminum is a lightweight laptop stand, which can accommodate between 12 and 17 inches laptops. It has a simple style with five colors. It also comes with grips made of rubber that hold the laptop to its place providing the protection you need.

    Nexstand K2  

The laptop stand offers a total of eight height adjustments, which makes it more adaptable than stands that can only adjust your laptop's height in a few fixed places. However, it can be used with devices sized between 10 and 17 inches.

We're now at the final point of our list

Be aware that good live streaming and videoconferencing equipment could make or break your online presentation's appearance.