Video calls have been around for so long but it was only until the lethal COVID-19 pandemic hit the world that video conferencing became a staple to everyone’s lives. With everything almost done online and through the camera, here are tips to improve video calls experience.
Face-to-face interactions are limited and most elder and young children are discouraged to go outside their homes. Schools are held online and work settings had a sudden shift and employees are grounded to their homes with computers in tow.
Video Conferencing 101: Tips to Improve Video Calls
Knowing how to improve video calls can make a huge difference in the whole experience. Whether it be taking online classes, having meetings with co-workers, or just keeping in touch with family, top-notch call quality can change your video call experience.
Here are tips on how to improve video calls.
Upgrade video call software
There are video call software that works best on a smartphone and there are also some that are more ideal for work-related conferences. The most popular options for both work and personal use are Skype, Zoom, and Google Meet.
But be it for meetings with clients or co-workers or you just want to hang out with a friend online, always make sure you are using the latest version of your video call software. If you are experiencing lags, glitches, or audio problems, it might be time to give that software the update it needs to improve its performance.
Check internet speed
Your internet connection is the greatest factor that affects the overall quality of your video calls. For important online meetings, we highly recommend you use internet instead of cellular data, and if you can, Ethernet over Wi-Fi.
If maintaining a stable connection is a struggle, there is also the possibility of too many people using the same internet connection at once. If you really need to, you might have to ask your housemates or children at home to hold off their browsing until your important meeting is done.
Still experiencing video lag? Then you might need to upgrade to a faster internet service.
Use headphones with a built-in mic
To have an enjoyable video call, the sound quality also plays a huge part. If you are on call with someone and you can clearly hear their voice, they are most likely using headphones with a built-in mic. And you should too!
Some headphones also have noise reduction which filters out background noises that your microphones pick up and prevent voice echoing.
Set a virtual background
This is recommended if your employer or professor requires you to turn on your camera. Messy room? Awful wallpaper? You can always set up a virtual background to cover all of this. Not only will this conceal your unmade bed but it also prevents distracting your co-worker or classmates.
If you are not required to turn on your camera, you can consider turning it off as well.
Adjust your lighting
Before joining a video conference, do a camera test first to see if you need to adjust your lighting, move places, or set up extra lamps. If you have a meeting during the day, we highly recommend sitting in front of the window with the natural light lighting up your face.
Insufficient light can result in a grainy video and too much light leads to overexposure, making it hard to see your face. Don’t sit with your back to a window and turn off overhead lights that casr unflattering shadows.
Invest in a webcam
No matter how perfect your lighting is, it all pales if you have a lousy webcam. Let’s be real. Most built-in cameras that come with your laptop have the poorest and worse resolution. Most smartphones even have better cameras, despite being smaller devices.
If you are always on cam for work or classes, we recommend investing in a high-quality external webcam to improve video call quality. There’s no shortage in the market and you also get to choose one depending on your budget.