Best gear for online meetings: Webcams, lights, mics, tripods and more
Best gear for online meetings: Whether you work or get in touch with friends and family, at the age of Corona virus Most of our professional and social interactions take place online. Zoom is the platform of choice for CNET meetings, and my kids and their friends are consuming our bandwidth on FaceTime, Google Hangouts and Instagram. Whichever platform you use, Video chat has become the new normal and it’s time to improve your game.
Part of it includes Learn the basics of meeting in front of the camera – Choosing the right environment, positioning the camera lens and optimizing the lighting conditions. The other part has the right gear. In most cases, unfortunately, I have to say that it is your laptop built-in camera and microphone stink – and prevent you from getting across as effectively as you want.
If you’re like most people, you probably dread attending online meetings. You know – the ones where everyone’s crammed into a small video chat window and it feels like you’re all shouting at each other. Well, we have some good news for you: with the right gear, those same online meetings can be a lot more pleasant. In this article, we’ll discuss some of the best equipment for online meetings, from webcams to microphones to tripods.
Webcams
One of the most important pieces of gear for online meetings is a webcam. A good webcam will provide clear and smooth video footage, making everyone in the meeting feeling like they’re in the same room. If you’re looking for a good webcam, we recommend the Logitech C920 or the Microsoft LifeCam Studio.
Lights
Another important piece of gear for online meetings is lighting. If you have poor lighting in your meeting room, it can be difficult to see everyone and everything on your screen. This can lead to frustration and confusion among participants. To combat this, we recommend using a good set of lights. We like the Ring Light from LuMee for this purpose – it provides bright, even light and makes everyone look great in video conferences.
Microphones
If you want to make sure that everyone in your online meeting can hear you clearly, you’ll need a good microphone. Our favorite microphone for online meetings is the Blue Yeti. It’s a high-quality microphone that picks up your voice clearly, even if you’re not right next to it.
Tripods
If you’re using a webcam or a phone for your online meetings, we recommend getting a tripod. A tripod will stabilize your camera and prevent it from moving around during the meeting. This will help ensure that everyone has a clear view of you and won’t get dizzy from all the movement.
Continue reading: Are AirPods waterproof?
However, upgrading your audio and video technology is fairly easy and relatively affordable from a technical point of view – and significantly improves your production values in virtual meetings. We’ve put together a shortlist of our favorite cameras, microphones, and other devices that you can use to improve your video chats with contributions from CNET’s on-camera video team, who all work from home. Our favorites are below.
(Note that prices are correct at the time of first release, but may fluctuate – especially given the increasing demand for this type of equipment. In addition, availability and delivery times are subject to change, so be sure to check before proceeding with your purchase.)
Logitech
Since the masses started working from home in mid-March, Logitech’s normally affordable C920 has sold out everywhere. And in the rare cases when it’s back in stock, the price may go up to $ 150 and up – which is too expensive. Therefore I would recommend buying the new and excellent StreamCam from Logitech – it is also currently not available, but should be back in stock at B & H Photo in June.
In the meantime, you can use a tripod and your phone’s HD camera to improve video chat quality. Find out how to do it.
Blue microphones
Nothing can torpedo an online meeting faster than audio that turns on and off, and your laptop‘s rotten built-in microphone can be the culprit. Once you’ve added a decent webcam to your setup, you’ll be in better shape – but a standalone microphone will make you sound clear, full, and full. This Blue Yeti model has long been a staple for podcasters and streamers. It is used when I record audio or participate in high-stakes video chat.
Yes, it looks like something you would see on a 1940s radio station, but audio technology is 100% modern. It has three capsule microphones, four recording patterns (for different types of recording) and just enough control elements to optimize your sound without overloading you with extremely technical functions.
Amazon
If you sit in front of a white wall or in front of uncovered windows, your webcam tries to compensate for this and envelops you in a silhouette. The solution: position a light behind your camera that shines on your face. Since many cheaper video lights are now sold out, we are looking at more premium lights such as the Joby Beamo Mini.
It’s a little more expensive, but it’s extremely compact, waterproof, and – able to emit 1,000 lumens – incredibly bright, although the iOS app and the included diffuser make it easy to choose the perfect amount of light. It has a magnetic back that sticks to any metal surface and is also screwed into a tripod.
GripTight / Amazon
Multitasking on a web conference is difficult: opening and closing apps, resizing browsers and windows while talking to your boss – everything can be a bit much. One solution is to move all of your audio and video tasks to your phone – which has better camera and microphone technology anyway – and free up your laptop to take notes, consult documents and spreadsheets, or whatever. (Here’s how.)
If you choose this route, you’ll need an adjustable tripod that will keep your phone steady – and at a flattering angle. I like this Joby tripod kit, which includes a clamp large enough to hold my iPhone XS Max. And I like it too the company’s flexible gorilla pods that can be wrapped around posts or other non-flat surfaces.
Sarah Tew / CNET
MacBook Air or Windows notebook
If you’re using an older MacBook Air or Windows notebook that came out a few years ago, you’ll find that a single zoom session can whir your computer’s fans and reduce your multitasking options to zero. If you buy a newer laptop with an updated processor – a ninth or tenth-generation Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5 should do the trick – these video conferencing sessions will be much easier to endure.
I recently put my aging MacBook Air aside and got a Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga. I was amazed at everything I missed: rapid speed (thanks to the modern Intel processor), USB-C ports, and a touchscreen display. And it’s currently on sale – from $ 1,000. For more recommendations, check out our list of the best laptops for 2020.
With the right gear, online meetings can be just as good as in-person meetings. By investing in quality webcams, lights, microphones, and tripods, you can make sure that your next meeting is a success.
