From Equipment to Layout, the Right Design Makes for Better Meetings
We’re in a new era of the workplace where conference room AV design is of enormous importance to how effectively employees can communicate with one another and with clients and vendors. Whereas before, communication mainly relied on telephones and email platforms, today’s communication is hinged on having the technology to support video conference calls, messaging, and forms of online collaboration.
With today’s video meetings, it’s essential to set up your conference room for success with the right equipment and layout. This statement is especially true if your office is now in a hybrid format, where employees can occasionally participate remotely. Is now the time to invest in a conference room AV design update?
Continue reading to learn about good conference room AV design and how it can benefit your employees in Los Angeles, CA.
SEE ALSO: Boost Atmosphere in Your LA Office with Smart Technology
Visuals
Conference room visuals, whether TVs or projectors, are of the utmost importance to create engaging video meetings. It’s crucial to place the screen in a direct line of sight with people sitting around the conference room table. We do not recommend hanging the TV higher than seated individuals, as looking up for long periods can cause neck strain. Additionally, you want video conference calls to be natural and face-to-face, and not with one person looking up to view the other person.
Screen Size
When choosing a size for your screen, we suggest that the screen size be about half the length of your conference room. Using this measurement rule, larger rooms will require larger screens. This standard also helps ensure maximum clarity for all people in the room.
In large enough rooms, considering two TV screens installed side-by-side may be a good idea. This setup will allow a face-to-face video call on one screen while screen sharing and collaboration take place on the other.
Microphones
There are many options for microphones, and choosing the right one for your space is as important as placement within the room. Poorly placed microphones lead to feedback issues or quiet voices. Choose from various options, including ceiling-suspended microphones, tabletop microphones, or soundbar microphones.
Speakers
After selecting a microphone, you also need to choose speakers for your conference room so in-person attendees can hear clearly. Using multiple speakers in a large conference room is ideal for balancing sound around the room. However, a simple soundbar under the TV screen will work great in a smaller conference room. By placing the speaker under the TV, in-person attendees will feel more natural in conversation with people on the screen, as the sound of their voices will be coming from the same direction as their faces.
Cameras
For the best hybrid meeting experience, we can install multiple cameras to capture your team’s faces at the conference table. New conferencing technology includes tabletop 360-degree cameras that record face-front video of participants and share the video to the call. That way, even those calling into the meeting will feel like they can see and hear their teammates as well as those in person.
If you’re considering an update to your Los Angeles, CA, conference room AV design, contact us at ForTech Solutions. We can consult with you and ensure your equipment is right-sized for your needs.
