A Modern Chamber for Modern Governance

The Highland Council wanted to modernise its Chamber to support hybrid meetings, improve accessibility, and make council sessions easier to manage and stream to the public. With over eight years of ongoing partnership, ClearVC understood the Council’s needs and designed a complete solution that brought together cutting-edge audio, video, and control technology.

A Seamless Hybrid & Streaming Experience

The project replaced outdated hardware with a fully integrated, easy-to-use AV system that included:

• A high-efficiency LED display to replace the old 3×3 video wall

• Televic microphones and Extron DSP for crystal-clear, clutter-free audio

• Automated PTZ camera tracking linked to microphones for natural speaker framing

• Crestron UC control and Teams integration for one-touch meeting start-up

• Epiphan live streaming and recording, making it easy to broadcast sessions

• Assistive listening and bilingual translation booths to enhance accessibility

All of this was achieved under a very tight two-week installation window — a remarkable feat considering the project’s scale and technical complexity.

Impact & Feedback

The result is a modern, inclusive Chamber that makes hybrid meetings easier to run and more engaging for councillors and the public alike. The Council team highlighted how the system has simplified daily operations, improved accessibility, and future-proofed their meeting environment.

“The integrated AV solution has substantially improved our ability to manage and deliver hybrid meetings… streamlined operational workflows… a system that is robust, scalable and aligned with our strategic objectives.”
— Jon Shepherd, Chief Officer – Business Solutions, Highland Council

Proud to Share Success Across Our Group

This project is a great example of the expertise shared across the VideoCentric Group. While ClearVC led the design and delivery, both teams share a commitment to providing organisations — public and private — with reliable, future-ready solutions for collaboration, communication, and engagement.

You can read the full case study on ClearVC’s website here

]]> https://videocentric.co.uk/10-best-video-conference-cameras-2025/ Thu, 08 May 2025 18:25:19 +0000 https://videocentric.co.uk/?p=74808 In today’s hybrid working world, having the right video conferencing setup is essential for effective communication and professional presentations. Whether you’re hosting a large boardroom meeting or catching up with suppliers from a huddle space, the right camera can make all the difference in clarity, engagement, professionalism and overall experience.

But with so many conference video cameras on the market, it can be time consuming to do your research and figure out which is the best, especially when you’ve got other tasks to juggle.

That’s why we’ve put this expert guide together. At VideoCentric, we’ve reviewed and compared hundreds of conferencing cameras, and systems with cameras, assessing them on image quality, ease of use, features, and performance in real-world settings. Here are our top 10 picks for 2025 – starting with the best of the best.

In 2025, the demand for high-quality video conferencing has never been greater. Whether you’re fitting out a huddle room, equipping a boardroom, or enabling hybrid collaboration across a global team, choosing the right camera is essential for delivering crystal-clear video, intelligent framing, and reliable performance.

We’ve consulted AV experts, analysed real-world usage, and compared features to bring you our expert-approved list of the top 10 video conferencing cameras for 2025. From AI-enhanced video bars to PTZ cameras with broadcast-quality zoom, here are the best-in-class options available today.

1. Yealink UVC86

Brief Description:
 The Yealink UVC86 is a dual-lens 4K PTZ camera with optical zoom and built-in AI framing capabilities. It automatically tracks speakers and frames groups dynamically.

Ideal Use Cases:
 Large meeting rooms, boardrooms, training environments.

Key Features:

• 4K resolution with 12x optical zoom
• Dual-lenses for wide and narrow views
• Auto-framing, speaker tracking, and presenter tracking
• Plug-and-play USB 3.0
• Easily bundled with multiple Yealink Microphones & Speaker Bars to create a very advanced BYOD “webcam” bundle, connecting to a user’s device on a single USB cable.
• When used with Yealink MVC S90 or ZVC S90, up to 9 (yes nine) of these cameras can work together in a single Teams or Zoom Room system.

Camera Quality:
Professional-grade 4K clarity with smooth zoom and smart and responsive tracking.

Our Rating: ★★★★★★★★★☆ (9/10)

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2. Huddly Crew Multi-Camera AI Setup

Brief Description:
 Huddly Crew offers a game-changing AI-directed video experience with multiple cameras working together to create dynamic, TV-like meeting coverage.

Ideal Use Cases:
 Creative teams, collaborative meetings, panel discussions.

Key Features:

• Multiple networked cameras controlled by AI Director
• Cuts between views to simulate natural conversation flow
• Flexible camera placement for immersive views
• Browser-based control and updates
• Standardly supplied with 3 cameras, this can be increased to 5

Camera Quality:
 HD video enhanced by cinematic framing and transitions for a deeply engaging experience.

Our Rating: ★★★★★★★★★☆ (9/10)

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3. Yealink SmartVision 40 VideoBar

Brief Description:
A dual-camera intelligent video bar with powerful AI features, designed specifically for Microsoft Teams Rooms. Built-in audio and cameras enable seamless one-touch meetings.

Ideal Use Cases:
Small-Medium-sized Meeting Rooms and hybrid collaboration spaces.

Key Features:

• Dual 48MP camera lenses
• 8 MEMS microphones with beamforming technology
• Smart people framing of up to 4 individual participants. Also supports speaker tracking, face recognition, group framing and noise-reduction.
• On its own, an advanced, well-priced BYOD meeting bar. When coupled with an MTR processor (Windows 11 PC), it forms part of an MVC Native Teams Room (MVC-S40) or ZVC Zoom Rooms (ZVC-S40) system.

Camera Quality:
Stunning detail up to 5m from lens and very responsive. Latest AI firmware means that further advanced features will be added over time.

Our Rating: ★★★★★★★★☆☆ (8/10)

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4. Yealink MTower Centre of Room AI Camera

Brief Description:
This innovative centre-of-room camera is designed to complement a front-of-room video bar by automatically capturing participants sitting around a table and not necessarily looking towards the main camera/display.

Ideal Use Cases:
Meetings where much of the discussion is between local participants, and therefore across the room, rather than always directed at the far end participants.

Key Features:

• Centre-of-room placement
• Automatic AI switching of 3 in-built cameras coupled with the front-of-room camera, using directional detection of faces and voices
• Currently designed for integration with Yealink MVC S40 MS Teams Room system with future possibilities for next generation Android meeting bars and “Pro” boards.
• Smooth and responsive. Better than SmartVision 60 and Logitech Sight but cannot be used as a standalone camera for direct BYOD usage via USB.
• Physically large, charcoal grey and a little obtrusive but technologically advanced
• Later firmware will support daisy-chaining of MTowers

Camera Quality:
Physically sturdy and well made, aesthetics questionable. Image quality is surprisingly good give that all 4 cameras working together (3 inbuilt + 1 at front) are digital, wide-angled ones. Automatic, smooth and responsive switching of cameras is best-in-class.

Our Rating: ★★★★★★★★☆☆ (8/10)

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5. DVDO C5-1 PTZ Camera with 25x Zoom

Brief Description:
A broadcast-quality PTZ camera with extreme zoom and multiple output options. Designed for flexible integration in both video conferencing and AV production.

Ideal Use Cases:
Lecture capture, large auditoriums, classrooms, hybrid & webcasting events.

Key Features:

• 4K UHD resolution with 25x optical zoom
• Simultaneous output: SDI, HDMI, USB and IP (NDI)
• High-speed pan and tilt with 255 presets
• Multiple control interfaces for integration into bigger solutions
• AI Human Detection for real-time and zone tracking

Camera Quality:
Excellent sharpness, great in low-light, and professional-grade zoom that captures every detail. Good aesthetics in a choice of colours. Ultimate flexibility comes at a relatively high cost..

Our Rating: ★★★★★★★★☆☆ (8/10)

Coming soon

6. HP/Poly Studio V52 VideoBar

Brief Description:
An all-in-one video bar designed for ease-of-use and consistency in meeting rooms. Delivers enterprise-ready audio and video in a sleek design.

Ideal Use Cases:
Medium-sized meeting rooms.

Key Features:

• Integrated 4K 20MP camera with 120° field of view
• Built-in stereo speakers and directional mics
• Poly DirectorAI for smart framing
• Simple USB connectivity for BYOD users on laptops or macbooks

Camera Quality:
Ultra-wide 4K video with intelligent zoom and framing that keeps conversations natural. High quality overall but at a cost compared with other market leaders.

Our Rating: ★★★★★★★☆☆☆ (7/10)

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7. Logitech Rally PTZ Optical Camera

Brief Description:
The Rally PTZ remains a market leader for modular meeting room setups, offering precise PTZ control, multiple mounting options, and optional Rally audio integration.

Ideal Use Cases:
Medium-Large Meeting Rooms, Boardrooms, training rooms, high-spec corporate spaces.

Key Features:

• 15x HD zoom with 90° FoV
• Motorised PTZ with preset positions
• Premium glass lens with RightSight auto-framing
• Used standalone as a motorised, optical PTZ camera, it can be bundled with Logitech Mic Pod/s and Speaker/s (Rally audio) to create an advanced BYOD room set up for use with a user’s laptop or macbook.
• Used in conjunction with Logitech RoomMate or a Windows 11 MTR PC, and TAP controller, it can create a full MS Teams Room or Zoom Room system for large room deployment. High flexibility though, comes at the cost of complex cabling and hubs which can impact on overall reliability over time.

Camera Quality:
Long-standing stalwart of the industry with excellent camera optics, fluid PTZ motion and robust & reliable design

Our Rating: ★★★★★★★☆☆☆ (7/10)

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8. Huddly IQ

Brief Description:
A compact, AI-powered webcam ideal for personal workspaces or small meeting rooms. Delivers intelligent framing in a miniature plug-and-play format, ideal for the professional road warrior..

Ideal Use Cases:
Desks, home offices, focus rooms, huddle spaces, small meeting rooms, mobile management & staff.

Key Features:

• 150° wide-angle view and mountable upside down
• AI functionality with advanced analytics and light correction
• Supplied with or without travel pack for the mobile worker
• Smart framing of individual participants and group view (gallery layout) when used in meeting rooms
• Optional in-built microphone with 5 beamforming elements
• Software upgradable keeping abreast of new intelligent features when they are introduced
• Reputed Norwegian technology
• Works across all major platforms and certified by Microsoft and Zoom

Camera Quality:
Exceptional video and features for a miniature device, ideal for solo users who want the most professional webcam on the market or for those requiring an advanced camera/microphone unit for a small BYOD meeting room. Premium cost for a premium product.

Our Rating: ★★★★★★★☆☆☆ (7/10)

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9. Yealink UVC84 PTZ Optical Camera (with audio bundles)

Brief Description:
A 4K PTZ camera with excellent zoom and flexibility, often bundled with Yealink’s audio kits for a complete BYOD room solution.

Ideal Use Cases:
Medium to large rooms, modular meeting setups.

Key Features:

• 4K PTZ camera with 12x optical zoom
• Microphones & speaker directly connect with it, to create a single “cable-to-the-table” solution for BYOD users
• Standalone USB camera but easily bundled with multiple Yealink Microphones (wired/wireless tabletop or ceiling) and Speaker Bars to create a very advanced “webcam” bundle for a meeting room
• Part of Yealink MVC and ZVC series (640, 840, 940 variants) for native Teams Room or Zoom Rooms use. Until the launch of the more advanced and more costly UVC86 camera, this was the flagship camera of the industry and still a contender today due to its aggressive price.

Camera Quality:
Sharp and consistent performance with on-board audio integration making it one of the most advanced “webcams” on the market.

Our Rating: ★★★★★★★☆☆☆ (7/10)

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10. HP/Poly Studio E70 Digital Camera

Brief Description:
A dual-lens intelligent camera for larger spaces, designed with AI-powered framing and DirectorAI technology. A popular choice in premium Teams and Zoom Rooms.

Ideal Use Cases:
Medium-Large Meeting Rooms, Executive boardrooms, hybrid conferences

Key Features:

• Dual 20MP 4K sensors
• Poly DirectorAI: speaker tracking, people framing
• Used standalone as an advanced digital e-PTZ camera, it can be bundled with 3^rd-party or HP/Poly’s own USB audio to create an advanced BYOD room set up for use with a user’s laptop or macbook.
• Used in conjunction with HP’s Windows 11 “Base-G9” 13^th Gen i7 PC, and TC10 controller, it can create a certified MS Teams Room or Zoom Room system for large room deployment.

Camera Quality:
Outstanding clarity and seamless transitions between wide and close views. Unlike its predecessor, the Poly EagleEye Director, it does not allow camera daisy-chaining unfortunately. Due to its high speed data processing (USB 3.2 10Gbps) cable lengths are limited and extensions unreliable unless of premium quality and cost.

Our Rating: ★★★★★★★☆☆☆ (7/10)

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Choosing the right video conferencing system

Video conferencing cameras in 2025 are smarter, sharper, and more versatile than ever. Whether you need an AI-powered multi-camera setup for high-impact meetings, or a simple plug-and-play bar for a huddle space or home office, there’s a solution to suit every need and budget.

VideoCentric has been one of the UK’s largest stockists of video conferencing cameras for nearly 25 years, so you could say we know a thing of two. Not only do we supply the cameras, but we also integrate them with certified audio bundles and control systems, pre-test prototypes ahead of competitors, install them, as well as provide premium warranties and ongoing expert UK support.

Go ahead and explore our full range of cameras here.

Need free, tailored help choosing the right one for your room size, platform, or event setup? Get in touch with our expert team today.

Digital signage is transforming the look of corporate office environments, foyers, restaurants, shopping precincts, retail stores and transportation hubs.

It is an effective tool for engaging audiences, displaying information, and driving sales.

But what are the different types, how does it work, how much does it cost and why wouldn’t you simply display a presentation slide from a connected PC? In this article, we’ll examine the variants of digital signage and get a feel for the pricing involved.

What is Digital Signage?

Digital signage refers to the use of electronic displays—such as LCD or LED flat screens, tiled LED panels, Projectors or Projection TVs — to present dynamic content across a single or multiple displays on a single or network of site locations. Unlike traditional static signage, such as a PC running PowerPoint and connected to a TV using an HDMI cable, dynamic digital signage allows businesses to update and tailor content in real time.

Key Components of Digital Signage

Display Screen

• • Business or Professional-grade LCD, LED, or OLED screens
  • Projectors & Screens
  • Interactive touchscreens
  • 2×2, 3×3 or 4×4 Video walls
  • 100” to 165” LED Tile Matrix

Media Players & Software

• • Dedicated media players for content delivery
  • On-premise content management server (CMS)
  • Cloud-based content management service (CMS) with remote monitoring & troubleshooting

Mounting & Enclosures

• • Wall mounts, freestanding kiosks, ceiling mounts
  • Weatherproof enclosures for outdoor installations

Content Creation & Management

• • Custom graphics, videos, and templates
  • AI-driven content automation
  • Scheduling and campaign management
  • Integration with external data sources (e.g., BBC, Sky, Bloomberg news or sports feeds)
  • Content synchronisation across multiple locations

Common Uses of Digital Signage

Digital signage is increasingly being used across most market sectors, each benefiting from its own customised  and targeted messaging.

Retail & Shopping Centres

• Promotional offers & discounts over multiple checkouts & locations
• Interactive product catalogues
• Digital wayfinding & store directories

Hospitality & Restaurants

• Digital menu boards
• Self-service ordering kiosks
• Hotel check-in & concierge displays
• Price/menu synchronisation across multiple locations

Corporate & Office Spaces

• Internal communications & HR updates
• Meeting room & Hot Desk wayfinding linked to booking systems
• Company announcements & performance dashboards
• Live news & stock market feeds for reception areas

Healthcare

• Patient check-in and queue management
• Digital waiting room displays
• Health awareness campaigns

Education

• Campus information boards
• Emergency alerts
• Event schedules & announcements
• Seminar wayfinding

Transportation & Public Spaces

• Flight & train departure boards
• Live traffic updates
• Public information displays

How Much Does Digital Signage Cost?

The cost of digital signage varies significantly based on several factors. Below are some typical costs

Hardware Costs

• Entry-Level Panels: £300–£700 (32″-49″ commercial displays)
• Mid-Range Displays: £500–£900 (49-55″ signage & video wall screens)
• Large format Displays: £1,000-£5,000 (65”-100” professional displays)
• Interactive Displays: £1,500-£7,000 (55”-98” touch/whiteboarding displays)
• Projection Systems: £1,000-£20,000 (depending on brightness & resolution)
• LED Tile Matrix: £25,000-£35,000 (132”-163” frame with pop-out tiles)
• Outdoor LED walls: From £5,000 per event with rigging & set-up crew
• Media Players: £500–£1,500 (per player depending on number of streams & resolution)

Software & Content Management Costs

• Basic CMS (Cloud-based): £100-£125 (per media player per annum)
• Advanced CMS (Enterprise-level): £1,000-£2,500 per media player per annum)
• On-Premise Server Licences: From £500 depending on networking & capacity

Installation & Setup Costs

• Basic Setup: £500-£1,000 per day (2-man crew)
• Advanced Indoor Setup:  £1,500–£10,000 (2-10 days with 2-4 man crew)
• Outdoor Setup: £5,000-£10,000 (4-day crew with staging, lighting rigs, sound system, sound engineers, power generators & security extra). Up to 15,000 crowd capacity.

 Content Creation & Management

• DIY Content Creation: Free (using tools like Canva or Adobe Express)
• Professional Self-Design: From £100 (using Bright Cloud subscription)
• Professional Outsourced Design: £500–£5,000 per campaign depending on Graphic Designers
• Subscription-Based Content: £5–£500 per month licencing for some dynamic news, weather and stock market feeds. Depends on number of players & concurrent viewers.

Ongoing Maintenance & Support

• Basic Hardware Support: From £5 per month per display for extended return for repair cover
• Advanced Hardware Support: From £10 per month per display for advanced next day swap out
• On-Site Hardware Support: From £20 per month per display for advanced swap out with visiting de.re-installation crew
•  Full Managed Services: From £50 per month per display or media player. (Note that graphic design consultancy and content administration may be extra)

ROI & Benefits of Digital Signage

By considering Digital Signage as a “nice-to-have” capital cost, the long-term benefits and overall cost savings will be missed. Looking at it as a labour and cost saving tool, paid for monthly out of savings made monthly, and therefore budgeted as a recurring revenue cost, over say 36, 48 or 60 months, will generally give a positive return on investment in the first two years. As a financed package, corporation taxpayers will also be eligible for 25% return against profit in their annual tax returns, making the overall costs of monthly repayments more attractive than paying outright for such goods and services.

• Increased engagement & sales conversions
• Reduced labour costs versus traditional methods
• More professional & modern look, than traditional print materials
• Real-time updates & automated content scheduling
• Enhanced customer experience & brand awareness

Not sure it will work for you?

Most organisations start small and build their overall signage solution over time.

Maybe start with just a single media player, one display screen, a few live or pre-recorded feeds, for example, live BBC news, a YouTube video, a ticker tape message cycling along the bottom some “PC slide” content being refreshed periodically in a large window).

Once you’re comfortable with the concept, add extra interest to your graphic design, add a couple of extra displays, network the content to a second location and start to gauge the reaction from your managers, employees and visitors.

Still not entirely sure how to start – Contact us today!

Workplace acoustics are often problematic in many ways, and while acoustic treatments may help with resonance and echo performance on a video conference call, it won’t prevent the travel of sound from one room to the next, particularly if walls are thin or built between open ceiling and floor voids.

Privacy of conversation is paramount, yet sound masking is often overlooked when the budget for an office refit is agreed, or it is ignored by designers as something that doesn’t enhance the “wow-factor” of a room, due to none of its advantages being immediately visible.

What is Direct vs Indirect Sound Masking?

Direct Masking continuously emits a low-level sound into the adjacent work area which would normally receive the unwanted audio. It uses a set of loudspeakers set into its ceiling but rather than receive white noise, they receive a modified waveform, based on the original source, effectively scrambling the sound to make it less intelligible.

Indirect Masking works in a similar way but uses the structure of the building, eg reflecting the sound waves through sound generators placed inside the ceiling void, invisible to the room users below. This can create a more uniform spread of masked sound and reduces the number of objects visible in the ceiling grid.

Direct

Indirect

Where is Sound Masking Important?

Why Biamp QT X ?

VideoCentric first installed Biamp QT sound masking back in 2018, the same year that Cambridge Sound Management (CSM) was acquired by Biamp, after being established in Cambridge MA, USA in 1999. Prior to that CSM themselves had acquired another pioneering sound masking company, Dynasound, and together they have become the world’s largest and most respected, provider of such solutions, with over 20,000 sound masking customers.

Which Biamp QT solutions does VideoCentric UK support?

QT X100– 1 zone (up to 12,000 sq.ft, 1,115 sq.m)

QT X300 & X300D– 3 zones (up to 36,000 sq.ft, 3,345 sq.m)

QT X600 & 600D – AVB or Dante with 6 zones (up to 72,000 sq.ft, 6,690 sq.m)

QT X800 & 800D – AVB or Dante with 6 zones (up to 84,000 sq.ft, 8,920 sq.m)

QT X800 & 805D– AVB or Dante with 8 zones (up to 84,000 sq.ft, 8,920 sq.m)

QT-CRE – Conference Room Edition (Bundle for single Meeting Room)

QT-HCE – Healthcare Edition (Bundle for Doctors, Surgeries, Medical Consultation Rooms etc)

CONTACT US NOW for technical consultancy meeting & pricing

8×8, the leader in cloud communications, provides a scalable, globally available solution that consolidates and unifies a wide array of communications and collaboration services onto a single, scalable platform. This cloud-based platform greatly simplifies administration and management, and strengthens conformance with security and compliance standards. As a result, IT staff is freed up to focus on more strategic initiatives.

Download the brochure to find out how 8×8 continue to help businesses transform and thrive through flexible, scalable and secure cloud-based voice solutions.

In November 2023 began the transitioning of the old Poly part numbers to those of HP.

VideoCentric is now supporting both sets of SKUs in its ordering system. Depending upon how much stock is in the channel, the delivery paperwork and packaging you receive either of the two codes.

Below is a summary of those SKUs supported by VideoCentric together with a set of frequently asked questions.

FAQs

Q: When will ordering be exclusively with the HP SKUs?
A:  Although Poly and HP have announced that they will run both sets of codes in tandem from 1st November 2023 for 6 months. VideoCentric quotes use its own part codes and we will make the translation for you, as long as necessary.

Q: If I place an order with using a HP part code, is there a chance I will receive a Poly labelled product?
A: Yes, if stock in the channel still exists with Poly SKUs. We will fulfil your order as quickly as possible using either Poly or HP SKU.

Q: If I submit a return request for a Poly labelled product, could I receive a HP labelled product as a replacement?
A: Yes, once stocks of Poly SKUs are exhausted, there may be a mixture held in maintenance stock for the foreseeable future.

Q: What maintenance support should I be ordering with my products?
A: VideoCentric’s Gold and Platinum SLA services are unchanged as far as end customers are concerned. The back-up support VideoCentric receives from HP will use the new SKUs but these are invisible to customers who will continue to use VideoCentric codes.

Q: Will the branding on the products be changing?
A: No because Poly will remain as a brand within the HP portfolio. Therefore, all products and packaging will keep the Poly branding.

Q: Will Poly LENs change?
A: No, the LENS Management Portal remains under the Poly brand. However, it is possible that it will be merged with HP’s own portal after 30th April 2024. HP has yet to confirm.

Q: Will VideoCentric still offer Poly MTRs on Windows, based on Lenovo and Dell PC platforms?
A: No, VideoCentric has now removed all PC platforms other than HP. Not only for Microsoft Teams but also Zoom Rooms.

Q: Will HP still offer Android-based Poly video bars for platforms other than Teams and Zoom?
A: Yes, HP will continue to offer Poly Studio X series systems and G7500 for MS Teams Room, Zoom Rooms, Google Meet, SIP and H.323 via Poly’s Video App mode, hosting of 3^rd party apps such as BlueJeans, GoTo and RingCentral as well as BYOD & BYOM desktop applications via USB Device Mode. All will remain available through VideoCentric.

Q: Is VideoCentric already signed up as a certified HP partner?

A: Yes, VideoCentric was formally onboarded to the HP Business Partner Programme in October 2023 and has been assigned an HP Account Manager who we will introduce to you on a project-by-project basis where required. The VideoCentric/HP partnership offers you far more value than simple online sales. Talk to us about your complex project requirements and let us design, develop, implement, and support your solution for you, whether it be local, nationwide or global.

If you have specific questions that we haven’t answered please contact us!

As a leading supplier of Neat products, we couldn’t be more excited to introduce this companion device that promises to revolutionise the hybrid meeting experience.

If you’re eager to learn more about this ground-breaking technology, don’t miss the original blog post by Simon Anthony Walker on Nov 20, 2023 – “Enjoy Superb Hybrid Work Meetings with Neat Center.”

Neat Center is designed to create a sense of togetherness, ensuring that remote attendees feel as if they are right there at the table with their in-office counterparts. The difference in experience is truly remarkable.

Hybrid teams face the challenge of not always having everyone physically present in the same room. Neat Center addresses this issue by providing advanced video technology that simulates the feeling of being together, breaking down the digital barriers that can hinder collaboration. It’s the perfect solution for teams looking to enhance the natural, relaxed, and inclusive atmosphere of in-person meetings even when working remotely.

In this exclusive demo video, witness first-hand how Neat Center seamlessly integrates with Neat Bar Pro and incorporates our pioneering Neat Boundary and Neat Symmetry features. These innovations create a more natural, inclusive, and focused hybrid meeting environment that is sure to elevate your team’s collaboration.

What sets Neat Center apart is its ability to bring remote attendees to the center of the conversation.

Equipped with a 360° 3x lens camera, a 16x omnidirectional mic array, and advanced AI, this companion device ensures that remote participants don’t miss a single detail. By providing a closer, more natural audio-visual perspective, Neat Center allows remote team members to feel fully engaged, as if they were physically present in the meeting room.

Setting up Neat Center is a breeze, with a single cable for network and power.

Its highly flexible, self-calibrating design allows you to position it anywhere in the room, ensuring that everyone is seen and heard clearly. Whether on the meeting room table or suspended above, Neat Center adapts to your space and use cases, making it an ideal solution for Microsoft Teams or Zoom meetings.

Pre-orders for Neat Center are now open!

To delve deeper into the features and benefits of Neat Center – Click Here!

Don’t miss the opportunity to transform your hybrid meetings into inspiring, productive, and rewarding experiences for both remote and in-office teams.

Contact our Neat Sales Teams Today!!

Here is a full breakdown of the new releases and all you need to know about how this will work with your Teams Room System.

According to Greg Baribault, Head of Product for Teams Rooms at Microsoft. “It is our biggest release of the year, including four features that I think you’ll really love.”

Cloud IntelliFrame makes participants in a meeting room appear similar to remote attendees where the camera used is non-AI, helping pick up on facial expressions and other non-verbal cues as if they were there in person. Cloud IntelliFrame addresses the limitations of traditional non-AI cameras in remote meetings by enhancing communication, collaboration, empathy, and inclusivity. By providing a more immersive and lifelike experience, this technology has the potential to transform how remote work is conducted and redefine the way teams interact in virtual settings. This would be a useful update to the Teams Room Systems for many reasons:

1. Enhanced Communication: Non-verbal cues such as facial expressions, body language, and gestures play a crucial role in effective communication. By making participants in a meeting room appear similar to remote attendees, Cloud IntelliFrame can help bridge the gap between in-person and remote interactions, enabling a more natural and nuanced communication experience.
2. Improved Collaboration: Remote participants often feel disconnected from the discussions and decisions made during in-person meetings. With Cloud IntelliFrame, remote attendees can better engage with the meeting by observing the visual cues of in-room participants. This can lead to more active participation and improved collaboration among all meeting participants.
3. Reduced Misunderstandings: Misinterpretation of intent and emotions is common in virtual meetings due to the lack of non-verbal cues. By enabling remote participants to perceive facial expressions and gestures more accurately, Cloud IntelliFrame can help reduce misunderstandings and enhance the overall quality of communication.
4. Inclusive Meetings: Inclusion is a key consideration in today’s remote work landscape. Cloud IntelliFrame can help create a more inclusive meeting environment by ensuring that remote attendees can participate in discussions as if they were physically present. This can lead to a stronger sense of involvement and engagement for all participants.
5. Empathy and Engagement: Seeing the reactions and expressions of colleagues in real-time can foster a greater sense of empathy and emotional connection among team members, irrespective of their physical location. This can lead to stronger relationships, improved team dynamics, and a more positive work environment.
6. Effective Decision-Making: When remote participants can accurately gauge the reactions and opinions of those in the meeting room, decision-making processes can be more effective. This is particularly important for discussions that require a consensus or quick reactions.
7. Training and Presentations: Cloud IntelliFrame could also be valuable for training sessions and presentations. Presenters can receive immediate feedback from both in-room and remote participants, allowing them to adjust their delivery and content based on real-time cues.
8. Technology Adaptation: Many organizations may already have non-AI cameras in their meeting rooms. Cloud IntelliFrame could extend the usefulness of existing hardware without requiring significant upgrades.
9. Hybrid Work Environments: As the trend towards hybrid work environments (combining in-person and remote work) continues, technologies like Cloud IntelliFrame can help create a more cohesive experience for all employees, regardless of their work location.
10. Competitive Advantage: Organizations that embrace innovative technologies to improve remote collaboration can gain a competitive advantage by attracting top talent, improving productivity, and fostering a positive corporate culture.

Front-Row unified backgrounds and video segmentation removes individual backgrounds, adjusts a video participant’s size and applies a uniform background to make it appear that remote participants are in the same room. This is intended to reduce distractions and make it easier for people in the room to feel connected to remote meeting participants. This feature is turned ON by default but can be disabled via XML.

Front-Row unified backgrounds and video segmentation has several potential benefits that could make it a useful addition to remote meetings and video conferencing platforms:

1. Reduced Distractions: One of the primary challenges of remote meetings is the potential for distractions caused by varying backgrounds and environments of participants. By removing individual backgrounds and replacing them with a uniform background, the focus remains on the participants and the content of the meeting, reducing visual clutter and potential distractions.
2. Professionalism and Consistency: Unified backgrounds contribute to a more professional appearance during video conferences. Participants may not always have a tidy or appropriate background, especially in home environments. The uniform background provides a consistent, polished look, helping participants maintain a higher level of professionalism.
3. Enhanced Engagement: When all remote participants appear to be in the same virtual room due to background segmentation, it can create a stronger sense of connection and engagement. This setup simulates an in-person meeting atmosphere and may lead to better communication and collaboration among participants.
4. Visual Clarity: The feature that adjusts a participant’s size can help ensure that everyone on the call is clearly visible, regardless of their physical distance from the camera. This can be particularly helpful when participants are using a variety of devices and camera setups.
5. Inclusivity and Accessibility: Not all participants may have the ideal physical space or background for video calls. This feature promotes inclusivity by ensuring that everyone’s video presence is equally clear and visually appealing, regardless of their individual circumstances.
6. Branding and Customization: For businesses and organizations, the ability to set a unified background can reinforce branding and provide a professional touch to virtual meetings. It’s possible to use branded or themed backgrounds that align with the company’s identity.
7. Emotional Connection: Seeing remote participants in a shared virtual space can evoke a sense of togetherness and belonging. This emotional connection can lead to better relationships among team members, even when they are physically distant.
8. User-Friendly Experience: The feature simplifies the process for participants by automatically applying the background adjustments. This ease of use can encourage more people to engage in video conferencing, even those who might be less comfortable with technology.
9. Focus on Content: By eliminating the need to worry about background choices, participants can focus more on the content being discussed during the meeting, which can lead to more productive discussions and outcomes.
10. Minimized Technical Challenges: Inconsistent lighting, messy backgrounds, and other technical challenges can hamper the quality of video calls. By applying background segmentation and size adjustments, these technical issues are mitigated, leading to smoother and more effective communication.

Overall, the update aims to create a more immersive, distraction-free, and connected environment during remote meetings, improving the overall quality of the virtual communication experience.

Spatial audio in Front Row experience makes it possible to use stereo speakers to make listening to remote attendees a more natural experience. Audio is played closer to the physical location of remote participants on a Front Row screen layout, to make it feel like the remote people are in the room and reduce meeting fatigue. This feature is turned OFF by default but can be enabled via XML. 

The addition of spatial audio in a Front Row experience could offer several valuable benefits for remote communication and collaboration scenarios:

1. Enhanced Realism and Immersion: Spatial audio creates a more immersive and natural environment by simulating the way sound behaves in a physical space. This can make remote attendees feel as if they are actually present in the room, contributing to a more engaging and realistic meeting experience.
2. Improved Communication Clarity: Traditional audio setups often struggle to convey the direction and location of speakers, which can lead to confusion and decreased comprehension. Spatial audio enables better differentiation between speakers by placing their voices in specific positions within the virtual space, making it easier to follow conversations.
3. Reduced Meeting Fatigue: One major drawback of remote meetings is the increased sense of fatigue that participants often experience due to the constant focus required to discern and process voices from different sources. Spatial audio’s ability to mimic real-life sound dynamics may reduce cognitive load and subsequently alleviate meeting fatigue.
4. Better Social Dynamics: Human communication heavily relies on non-verbal cues and the spatial orientation of voices. Spatial audio can replicate the sense of proximity and directionality present in face-to-face interactions, making it easier for participants to perceive social cues and engage in more natural conversations.
5. Interactive Presentations and Performances: Beyond meetings, spatial audio could enhance the experience of presentations, lectures, and performances by allowing presenters to virtually position themselves within the auditory space. This could lead to a more dynamic and captivating delivery for remote audiences.
6. Cross-Platform Compatibility: As spatial audio gains traction, it’s likely to become more standardized across various communication platforms and devices. This would enable a consistent experience for users regardless of the technology they are using.
7. Inclusive Collaboration: For teams distributed across different locations, spatial audio could help bridge the gap between remote and in-person participants, making everyone feel equally present and engaged.
8. Enhanced Remote Presence: Remote attendees might feel isolated or detached from in-person meetings. Spatial audio can help bridge this gap by giving them a stronger sense of being physically present, fostering a sense of belonging and participation.
9. Increased Engagement and Participation: A more immersive and interactive audio experience could encourage remote attendees to be more active participants, as they feel more connected to the discussions and events.
10. Innovation in Remote Collaboration: The integration of spatial audio showcases technological advancements and innovation in the realm of remote collaboration, setting a precedent for future developments in communication tools.

In summary, spatial audio in a Front Row experience has the potential to revolutionise remote communication by providing a more natural, immersive, and engaging way for remote attendees to interact. This could lead to improved collaboration, reduced fatigue, and more effective communication in virtual environments.

For more information you can read the Full Release Notes from Microsoft

In this blog post, we will explore the benefits of room booking systems and shed light on GoBright, a leading provider of innovative room booking solutions.

The Need for Efficient Room Booking Systems:

Gone are the days of pen-and-paper sign-up sheets or juggling multiple email threads to book rooms. Modern workplaces require a digital solution that simplifies the room booking process, saves time, eliminates conflicts, and enhances overall productivity. A comprehensive room booking system can offer the following advantages:

Seamless Reservations: A user-friendly interface allows employees to easily book available rooms, view their availability in real-time, and make instant reservations without any unnecessary delays or complications.

Resource Optimisation: An efficient room booking system helps organisations make the most of their available resources by providing insights into room usage patterns, identifying underutilised spaces, and optimising room allocation.

Avoiding Conflicts: Double bookings or scheduling conflicts can be frustrating and disruptive. A robust room booking system ensures that only available rooms are shown to users, preventing any overlaps or confusion.

Simplified Administration: Room booking systems streamline administrative tasks by automating processes like sending confirmations, managing cancellations, and providing detailed usage reports. Receptionists holding the responsibility for booking meeting rooms is an extra admin task. It can lead to double bookings, favouritism and scheduled meetings being moved to other rooms as favours to others. There is also no record of no shows, meeting rooms booked, statistics etc.

Integration with Existing Tools: Seamless integration with calendars, email systems, and collaboration platforms allows for a unified experience, ensuring that room bookings align with employees’ existing workflows.

GoBright: A Comprehensive Room Booking Solution!!

GoBright is a market-leading provider of room booking solutions that revolutionise the way organisations manage their meeting spaces. Their innovative platform offers a wide range of features designed to enhance efficiency, optimise resource allocation, and improve overall user experience:

User-Friendly Interface: GoBright’s intuitive interface makes it easy for employees to book rooms, check availability, and make changes on-the-go, ensuring a hassle-free experience.

Real-Time Room Availability: With GoBright, users can view the real-time availability of rooms, enabling them to find and reserve suitable spaces without the risk of conflicts or double bookings.

Smart Analytics: GoBright provides valuable insights and analytics on room usage, occupancy rates, and resource allocation, enabling organisations to make data-driven decisions to optimise their space utilisation.

Seamless Integration: GoBright integrates smoothly with popular calendar platforms such as Microsoft Outlook and Google Calendar, allowing users to sync their bookings effortlessly. GoBright room booking panels, through their software integration, can communicate with Microsoft Teams and Zoom to perform tasks such as:

Creating and updating meetings: Users can book or modify meetings directly from the room booking panel, and the information will be synchronised with Microsoft Teams or Zoom.

Check-in/Check-out and occupancy management: When a meeting starts, the room booking panel can automatically check-in participants, signalling room occupancy to Microsoft Teams or Zoom.

Meeting reminders: The panel can display meeting reminders and notifications from Teams or Zoom to keep users informed about upcoming events.

Equipment Integration: GoBright can integrate with meeting room equipment to streamline the meeting process and improve collaboration. When integrated with meeting room equipment, GoBright allows users to book a meeting room equipped with a whatever is required for that meeting directly from their scheduling platform (such as a mobile app or web interface). This integration ensures that the room is equipped with the necessary tools before the meeting starts.

Room Occupancy sensors: GoBright has room sensor that as soon as you walk into a free meeting room it will show as the meeting room is busy on the panel outside. The sensors also work for small huddle spaces to just cause spaces in your building to show if that are is free.

Wayfinding: GoBright have a wayfinding option. So that when customer arrives for there meeting they can check in with reception and then follow the wall panels to the guided to the correct meeting room with ease.

The screen integration may offer features such as

Screen Integration: GoBright internal panels also integrates with screens and displays in meeting rooms to enhance presentations and remote collaboration. This integration enables users to schedule meetings and presentations while ensuring that the necessary display equipment is available and operational for the meeting.

Seamless content sharing: Users can wirelessly or via cables connect their devices to the room’s screen for presentations.

Auto-switching: When multiple screens are available, GoBright can automatically set the correct screen as the primary display for the meeting.

Camera Integration: In some setups, GoBright can integrate with cameras or video conferencing systems to further enhance the meeting experience, especially for remote participants. This integration enables users to schedule video conferences and ensures that the camera and associated equipment are ready for the meeting.

The camera integration may offer features like:

Automatic camera activation: The camera system can be activated when the scheduled meeting starts, ensuring video conferencing is ready to go

Remote participant management: GoBright can help manage remote participants, providing a seamless experience for both in-room and virtual attendees.

User Interface and Control: GoBright typically provides a user-friendly interface, such as a mobile app or web portal, where users can schedule meetings and access room availability information. Through this interface, users can select the necessary equipment (whiteboard, screen, camera) they require for their meetings.

Keep in mind that specific details of the integration may vary depending on the version of GoBright, Microsoft Teams, and Zoom available at the time of the integration’s implementation.

Touchscreen Displays: GoBright’s sleek touchscreen displays outside meeting rooms show real-time availability, bookings, and provide easy check-ins, eliminating any confusion and ensuring efficient room utilization.

Flexible Booking Options: Whether it’s a one-time meeting, a recurring event, or an ad-hoc requirement, GoBright offers flexible booking options to accommodate various scheduling needs.

Efficient room management is a crucial aspect of running a productive and organised workplace. Implementing a robust room booking system, such as GoBright, can significantly simplify the booking process, save time, and optimise room utilisation. By providing user-friendly interface, real-time availability, seamless integration, and smart analytics, GoBright empowers organisations to make the most of their meeting spaces and enhance overall productivity. Embrace the power of digitalisation and streamline your room bookings with GoBright today.

Additional integration features such as:

Reception welcoming package, touch display and QR Code check in as well as automatic badge printing.

Digital signage in the reception area.

Hot desk booking

Car park booking

Locker booking

Live meeting room availability feed.

Contact our sales team today to see how this solution would work in your environment.

For Yealink and Logitech meeting rooms check out our Room Booking Solutions page.

**All images belong to GoBright**

Additional Information

GoBright Brochure 

The Poly Studio X30 is perfect for huddle rooms…but what is a huddle room?

A huddle room is a small and private meeting area, typically seating 3-6 people and equipped with teleconferencing and collaboration technologies.

HUDDLE ROOMS ARE GROWING FASTER THAN EVER

There are now 33.2 million huddle rooms worldwide

By 2023, 73% of all room video meetings will be from huddle rooms

Frost & Sullivan, 2019

So with demand for huddle room solutions growing, (especially Teams and Zoom native plug and play systems), we were very excited to open up one of the first dedicated and integrated solutions. Read on to find out our first impressions, box contents and comments…

First Impressions

The Poly Studio X30 is well packaged in a small and light box with carry handle, thus making it easy to transport. The box measures at 49 x 20 x 11.5 cm. The X30 is well protected inside the box and everything is packaged individually. It was surprisingly easy to pop everything together – truly a plug and play system. The model we have doesnt come with native teams or zoom but it is simple to add those capabilities in. Teams and Zoom native units are due to release later this year. The unit doesn’t come with a touch controller either – so be mindful of that when ordering. Image quality on the camera was decent for the size and the lens provided a wide image.

What is in the box?

• Poly Studio X30 with magnetic lens cover. 45 x 6 x 6 cm
• Power Adaptor
• HDMI-HDMI Cable. 1.829m
• Cat5e RJ45 Cable. 15ft
• Power Cord. UK, 2.5m
• Monitor Clamp

Comments

Our Pre-Sales Engineer, Liam Swan, noted that the X30 is very compact, has a wide lens and is aesthetically pleasing, making it ideal for a huddle room. He also noted that the cables come out of the bottom and so it has to be mounted above the monitor/screen which gives a top-down view of the room.

Watch this to see the unboxing

Watch this to see the set up

Look out for more blog posts on the Studio X Family as this post is part of a series.

DEMO unit now available. Get in touch to give it a try!