Zoom and video conferencing are no longer novel concepts. Having to work from home and distance education is becoming the norm. Getting top gear for your video calls and chats will allow you to appear and sound good during remote meetings. You do not need an HD webcam to get the perfect results sometime. Optimizing lighting conditions, selecting the best environment, and positioning the camera lens well will make your video calls appear much better.
Firstly, you need to have the proper equipment, including a webcam and microphone. Unfortunately, in most cases, your laptop’s built-in camera and microphone are pretty mediocre. You should replace the integrated webcam with a separate webcam. However, upgrading your audio and video technology is relatively simple and inexpensive, and it will significantly improve your productivity during virtual meetings.
Below is a list of some gear for your video calls and live chats:
Logitech StreamCam – Top Gear for video calls and live chats
Most laptops have built-in web cameras, and most of them are terrible. A 2017 MacBook Air will always be limited to a 0.7-megapixel camera capable of shooting 720p video. Those old specifications are no longer adequate. For comparison, the latest iPhone 11 has a 12-megapixel camera capable of shooting 4K video at 60 frames per second. The most significant thing you can do to improve your video chats is to upgrade to a modern webcam, which typically costs between $60 and $200. Logitech’s StreamCam captures full 1080p HD video at 60 frames per second. It manages all of the specifics: focus, exposure, framing, and image stabilization.
Blue Yeti USB mic – Top Gear for video calls and live chats
Nothing can jeopardize an online meeting faster than audio that cuts in and out, and your laptop’s terrible built-in microphone could be to blame. You’ll be in better shape once you’ve added a decent webcam to your setup, but a standalone microphone will make your sound clearer. This model of Blue Yeti has long been a favorite of content creators. It may not be aesthetically pleasing, but the audio technology is modern. It does have three capsule microphones, four pickup patterns (for different types of recording), and just enough controls to help you optimize your sound without being overly technical.
Bower Flexible 24-inch LED ring light – Top Gear for video calls and live chats
Your webcam will attempt to balance it out if you are seated in front of a white wall or open window, enveloping you in a silhouette. The solution is to place a light behind your camera that shines directly on your face. A desk lamp will suffice, but an LED video light will produce the best results. This Bower Flexible 24-inch LED ring light costs $30. It includes 36 LEDs, a clip stand, and three light modes.
Jabra Evolve 75 – Top Gear for video calls and live chats
If you are on video calls frequently, a comfortable and dependable headset will provide you with a clear connection and better sound when chatting with clients and colleagues. There are different options available, but the Jabra Evolve 75 is a solid wireless set that works well for online conversations and music listening. It has crystal clear audio, up to 15 hours of talk time, and active noise cancellation.
Joby GripTight Smartphone Stand – Top Gear for video calls and live chats
When you’re on a Zoom conference call, multitasking can become a little hectic, especially if your job requires you to juggle multiple apps and browser windows while on a call, especially on a laptop screen. If that’s the case, you might want to consider transferring all of your Zoom activity to your smartphone, then using an ergonomic tripod to provide the proper viewpoint and keep your smartphone steady. The Joby GripTight Stand is compatible with all smartphones and has rubber foot grips for stability, and wide jaws for a secure grip.
Blue Snowball – Top Gear for video calls and live chats
The Blue Snowball microphone is one of the best options for replacing your built-in laptop microphone if you want to take your home office audio to the next level. It has a frequency range of 40 -18 kHz, making it ideal for hosting webinars or client meetings. Your computer’s input is USB-A, so if you’re using a laptop with the newer USB-C plug, you will need an adaptor.
