Learn about the AV installations from the audio-visual provider.

The AV installation is nothing but an essential necessity for modern business-held talks of successful companies in various market segments. It is important to familiarize yourself with the concept and receive a few basic recommendations, so that you, when being a customer, will be able to more confidently communicate with AV installation company, correctly explaining the functionality and requirements for the future AV installs in an accessible way.

What is an audio-visual video conferencing system for meeting rooms

Videoconferencing is a telecommunications technology that has found widespread use in various fields of activity, providing great opportunities and solving a wide range of professional tasks.

Thanks to specially developed protocols and audio-visual integrators, this technology uses the interaction of two or more remote subscribers, in which it is possible to exchange audio and video information between them at a distance, via a local network (corporate video communication), the Internet or dedicated communication channels in real time using hardware and dedicated software provided by the AV system integrator.

The use or setup of videoconferencing is used for business talks, negotiations, educational events, group discussions in cases where the interlocutors do not have the opportunity or need to be present in person, providing a serious advantage to companies in saving money and time. And these are the assets each and every company are bent on saving. No wonder that AV integration is extremely popular.

Specialized AV equipment

To set up the communication in the videoconference mode, often, each group of users must have specialized equipment – a video conferencing terminal device (codec), which receives audio and video input from external microphones and video cameras to broadcast information to connected users.

Furthermore, the presented codec, in addition to encoding information, also performs decoding, outputting a video signal to display systems (either screen with a projector or an LCD display) and sound to sound amplification and playback equipment. Physically, the codec is a special (main) monoblock or PC (server) with video conferencing software.

The scheme of AV connection for video conferencing

The videoconferencing complex itself and the equipment for it can be built according to the “point-to-point” mode or a more complex scheme – “multi-point connection”, for example, connecting four or more subscribers. This will be decided based on the customer’s needs and set up by the Audio-visual systems integrator.

Image quality

The quality of the transmitted image can be standard with a resolution of up to 704×576 and bit rates from 384 to 768 Kbps. Either high definition at 1280x720p or even 1920x1080p, requiring a higher connection speed (from 768 Kbps to 1.5 Mbps, implying a low compression ratio).

 Depending on the goals of the negotiations, should it be important to be able to clearly perceive the facial expressions, gestures, intonations of the interlocutors, high-definition systems should be used (resolution of at least 1920x1080p and connection of 10 Mbps). This, of course, requires bigger investment, so know your true needs wisely.

Communications channels

Generally, the possibility of implementing a particular videoconferencing system usually determines the bandwidth (speed) of the available communication channels and – not always – communication protocols used, video and audio compression standards. In the absence of the required connection speed at the moment, the system adapts to the existing communication channel, degrading the quality of the video image.

That is, if the bandwidth is not enough to support the quality of HD broadcasting, the system does not refuse to work, but automatically adjusts the optimal image resolution, of course, lowering the signal quality.Thus, the best option is to have a dedicated and secure communication channel used only for organizing video conferencing sessions.

Internet as a means of communication

A more common, simple and cheap way to organize broadcasting is through the Internet. However, the quality of the video session in this case may be low, since the global network is not a guaranteed channel for the transmission of audio and video data. Plus, it adds the problem of videoconferencing security, providing attackers with all the broadcast information of the enterprise.

Recommendations for organizing AV video conferencing in a meeting room

When placing cameras and means of displaying information used in videoconferencing, one should strive to ensure the eye-to-eye line of sight, the correct position and size of the interlocutors displayed on the screens. As a rule, in small meeting rooms (6-8 people), video conferencing cameras should be placed at the head level of the participants in the talks and below the display or screen on which the interlocutors are broadcast.

With an increase in the number of delegates, it is logical to place the camera above the upper edge of the LCD screen, slightly tilting it, thus increasing the overview and overall perception of the conference. It is advisable to ask your AV integrator here to help you in creating the convenient video conferencing room.

The main equipment piece for video conferencing

The main unit of modern videoconferencing technology makes it possible to connect the main and additional video cameras, give sound from a microphone or a general sound system in a room, connect a signal from an external source (PC, laptop, telephone), display a picture on a common screen, and sound to sound reproduction equipment. During a group video conference, you can build a summary “picture” of all participants on one or more screens.

TelePresence class video conferencing

If a company has several representative offices or permanent work partners, then it is highly advisable to design a negotiation room and use TelePresence class video conferencing (telepresence – remote, virtual presence), which provides the effect that remote interlocutors seem to be with you in one room after one table. This way, a specially equipped meeting room cannot be made only in the main office, something close should be in the branches or partners. In fact, we are talking about creating such negotiation studios for all permanent “interlocutors”.