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The quality of web conferencing determines the comfort of remote work

With the spread of remote work, online conferences have become an essential tool in our working style. However, have you ever encountered problems during an online conference, such as difficulty hearing the other person's voice, your voice not reaching the other person, or the image being too dark to see the other person's face?

These issues not only hinder the progress of meetings, but also reduce the quality of communication, which can have a negative impact on work efficiency and interpersonal relationships.Improving the quality of web conferences is extremely important in order to create a comfortable remote work environment.

In this article, we'll introduce you to some recommended gadgets and setup tips that you can put into practice right away to dramatically improve the sound and image quality of your web conferences. Use this information to take your web conference environment to the next level.

Recommended gadgets to dramatically improve the quality of your web conferences

Choosing the right gadgets is essential to improving the quality of your web conference. Here we will introduce specific gadgets that will help you achieve sound quality, image quality, and comfort.

1. Sound quality improvement gadget

In web conferences, sound quality is the foundation of communication. Built-in PC microphones and speakers often pick up ambient noise and can sound muffled. To ensure clear audio and ensure the other person's voice is heard accurately, consider using a dedicated audio gadget.

microphone

A microphone is an essential item for web conferencing, as it compensates for the limitations of your PC's built-in microphone and ensures your voice is heard clearly. Choose the best type based on the size and purpose of the meeting.

• Anker PowerConf S3

  • Features : This portable Bluetooth speakerphone picks up audio from all directions, including your phone, and features a built-in noise reduction function to reduce background noise for clearer audio. It has a built-in battery that provides up to 24 hours of continuous talk time and can be connected via USB-C or Bluetooth.
  • Recommended points : Ideal for small group web conferences or personal use. Easily portable, it allows you to create a high-quality web conference environment anywhere.

• Olympus ME34

  • Features : This tabletop Zoom microphone has directional characteristics that eliminate ambient noise and clearly capture the voice of a specific speaker. It is effective in meetings in large spaces and web conferences with multiple participants.
  • Recommended point : This is very useful when you want to clarify what a specific person is saying during a web conference in a large space such as a conference room.

Headphones and earphones

Headphones and earphones are also important for hearing the other person's voice clearly and ensuring that your own voice is heard by the other person. They are particularly effective in preventing sound leakage and improving concentration.

• Shokz OpenComm2 (bone conduction headset)

  • Features : The bone conduction system allows you to hear surrounding sounds during web conferences without blocking your ears. Its clear microphone performance, designed for web conferences and business calls, is also appealing, as it reduces ear fatigue even after extended use.
  • Recommended points : Recommended for those who participate in long web conferences or who want to be able to hear surrounding sounds such as family members calling. You can make calls comfortably while reducing strain on your ears.

• SONY WF-1000XM5 (Noise Cancelling Earphones)

  • Features : These completely wireless earphones combine industry-leading noise canceling performance with high-quality sound. The in-ear design (earplugs) provides excellent sound insulation, allowing you to concentrate on web conferences without being distracted by surrounding noise.
  • Recommended points : Ideal for those who want to improve their concentration or who are particular about sound quality when participating in web conferences in noisy environments such as cafes or coworking spaces.

2. Image Quality Improvement Gadget

In web conferences, not only audio but also video is an important element. Facial expressions and gestures can help convey nuances that are difficult to convey with words alone. The built-in webcam on your PC may not have sufficient image quality, or your face may appear dark due to backlighting. Improve your impression with a high-quality webcam and proper lighting.

Webcam

If you are not satisfied with the image quality of your PC's built-in camera, installing an external webcam will allow you to deliver a much clearer image to the other person. When choosing a webcam, be sure to check the resolution, field of view, autofocus function, etc.

• Logitech C922n PRO HD Stream Webcam

  • Features : This webcam supports recording at 30 fps in Full HD (1080p) and 60 fps in HD (720p). It features high-precision autofocus and automatic light correction, providing clear images in any environment. It also comes with a tripod, allowing for flexible setup.
  • Highly recommended : This high-performance model can be used for not only high-definition web conferences but also live streaming on YouTube, etc. Recommended for those who want to clearly convey their facial expressions.

• Sanwa Supply Wide Lens Web Camera CMS-V52S

  • Features : This webcam is equipped with an 8.5-megapixel sensor and can shoot at 4K resolution. The wide-angle lens captures a wide range, so you can fit everyone in the frame even in meetings with multiple participants. It also has a built-in microphone, so audio is also taken into consideration.
  • Recommended points : Ideal for when you want to clearly display documents in high resolution or when you need a wide field of view for team web conferences.

illumination

Proper lighting is essential to maximize the performance of your webcam. In particular, in backlit environments, your face tends to appear dark. By installing lighting specifically for web conferences, you can make your face appear brighter and convey your facial expressions more clearly.

• Sanwa Supply LED Ring Light (Clip Type/Stand Type)
  • Features : This LED ring light provides even, bright illumination for your entire face. It features dimming and color temperature adjustment functions, allowing you to adjust the brightness and color temperature to your liking. The clip-on version easily attaches to a laptop or smartphone, while the stand version can be used on a desk. It's USB rechargeable for easy portability.
  • Recommended points : This product is recommended for those who want to eliminate dark faces caused by backlighting and give a healthy and bright impression. It is easy to set up and can be used not only for web conferences but also for selfies.

3. Other comfort gadgets

We will also introduce gadgets that will improve not only the sound and image quality but also the overall comfort of your web conference.

• PC Stand

  • Features : By adjusting your laptop screen to eye level, you can improve your posture and reduce strain on your neck and shoulders. It also makes it easier to adjust the viewing angle of your webcam.
  • Recommended points : Recommended for those who want to reduce the physical strain caused by long hours of web conferences or PC work.

• monitor

  • Features : By introducing an external monitor, you can expand your workspace by displaying the web conference screen and document screen simultaneously, making it easier to refer to information and share documents during web conferences.
  • Recommended points : Recommended for those who want to multitask and make web conferences more efficient, or who want to work comfortably on a larger screen.

Tips for setting up your web conference to further improve its quality

The quality of a web conference is greatly affected not only by the gadgets but also by the software settings and environment. Here we will introduce some tips on how to set up your web conference to make it more comfortable.

1. Optimize your audio settings

Clear audio is essential for a successful web conference, so here are some tips to optimize your audio settings:

• Adjust the microphone input level : Adjust the microphone input level appropriately in the settings screen of the web conferencing tool you are using. If the level is too high, the sound will distort, and if it is too low, your voice will sound faint. It is important to use the test function to check that your voice can be heard clearly.

• Use noise-canceling features : Many web conferencing tools and gadgets have noise-canceling features that can reduce unwanted background noise, such as keyboard clicks and air conditioning sounds, allowing you to hear your voice more clearly.

• Ensure a stable internet connection : Audio dropouts and delays are often caused by an unstable internet connection. Ensure a stable communication environment by switching to a wired LAN connection or reconsidering the location of your Wi-Fi router.

• Ensure a quiet environment : It's also very important to join a web conference in a physically quiet environment. If possible, choose a location that is free of background noise. If this isn't possible, use headphones and a noise-canceling microphone.

2. Optimize your video settings

Your video image can have a big impact on the impression you make on others. Review the following settings to deliver a better video.

• Webcam resolution settings : In the settings of your web conferencing tool, set your webcam resolution as high as possible. The higher the resolution, the clearer the image you will deliver to the other party. However, depending on your internet connection speed, this may cause the image to be choppy, so you will need to adjust it accordingly.

• Use of virtual backgrounds and points to note : Virtual backgrounds are useful if you don't want to show the background behind you at home or if you want to protect your privacy. Many web conferencing tools have them, but to avoid looking unnatural, choose a simple design and adjust the lighting so that your outline is clearly separated from the background.

• Use and position lighting : Lighting is very important to make your face look bright. Place a ring light or similar device so that the light hits your face directly in front of you. Avoid web conferences in places where there is backlighting, and if there is backlighting, be sure to use lighting that illuminates your face brightly.

• Clean background : If you're not using a virtual background, make sure the area behind your webcam is uncluttered. A cluttered background can make you look untidy and distract others. A simple wall or organized shelves are good options.

Enjoy comfortable web conferences with gadgets and settings!

In this article, we introduced some recommended gadgets and setting tips to improve the quality of web conferences when working remotely. By improving sound quality with a microphone and headphones, image quality with a webcam and lighting, and optimizing software settings and the environment, web conferences can be made much more comfortable.

A comfortable web conferencing environment not only reduces stress, but also facilitates smooth communication, improves work efficiency, and leads to the building of better relationships. We encourage you to upgrade your web conferencing environment by using the gadgets and setup tips introduced in this article.

These investments will be important steps towards making your remote work life richer and more productive.