Conference Room Camera: 2024 Full Guide

When someone is not physically present in a conference room, they can be a part of the meeting remotely. For that, a conference room video camera is used to cover all the participants so the remote participants can see and hear them. A conference room camera is like a webcam, but it has far superior business features. Let’s discuss all the important things you need to know about the conference room cameras.

Types of conference room camera

If you look for the different conference room camera options, you will come across multiple types that can be distinguished by their unique features and use cases. Here are some of the most common types of these cameras:

• PTZ cameras provide pan, tilt, and zoom features and can be controlled by remote participants in a meeting. These are perfect for when you must focus on the speaker in the conference room.
• 360-degree cameras provide a comprehensive view of the conference room, covering every angle. These cameras are perfect for round-table conferences and are used with AI-powered intelligent software for the best usability.
• Fixed cameras come in different forms, like webcam bars and regular cameras. They usually come with wide-angle lenses since they lack the PTZ functionality. While these are perfect for smaller conference rooms, they are much easier to operate.

How to Choose a Conference Room camera?

Whether you need a video conference camera for a large or small room, you must know everything, including features and technicalities, to pick the right one. Here, we have divided the answer into multiple parts so you can get the answer for each one, which will help you pick the right product.

Layout and size of conference room

Start by checking the layout and size of the conference room that you want the camera for. It is because the size may indicate if you need a wired camera or a wireless one. Similarly, you may learn if you need a single camera or need a system of multiple cameras according to the layout of your conference room.

Your use case with the conference room camera

The next consideration for selecting a conference room video camera will be your use case and the features you need. For example, you may choose functionalities like PTZ, wide-angle lenses, or AI-powered features according to the size of your conference room and your usage requirements. Usually, these features are better for larger conference rooms while small conference rooms can use the cameras with basic features only.

Camera control requirements

See if your conference room setting and meeting requirements need remote participants to remotely control the camera. You may skip this part if you are not getting a camera that supports PTZ features. However, if you are getting a PTZ camera, choosing between remote manual control and AI-controlled options can be crucial for offering an optimal experience to remote participants as they provide flexibility during meetings.

Video and audio quality offered

The last thing to check is video and audio quality. Laptop cameras usually offer HD or FHD resolutions, which are enough for one person. However, when you need to cover the whole conference room, you must get higher video resolution cameras. This ensures that the remote participants can see every detail of the conference room.

Similarly, check the audio quality and features offered. Do you need the camera to transmit audio of the person speaking, or the camera needs an additional microphone for clear audio transmission? Looking for AI-powered audio-focus features can significantly improve the listening experience on the other side.

Conference Room Camera Brand Recommendation

Today, there are a lot of options in the market to buy conference room cameras. However, some leading brands set themselves apart by offering unmatched quality. Moreover, they provide an amazing user experience thanks to their AI-powered smart features. So, our top 3 brand recommendations for you to get a conference room camera include:

• Logitech
• Owl Labs
• OBSBOT

From these brands, you can get all types of cameras according to your conferencing requirements, whether you need smart features or not.

Using Security Cameras as Conference Room Video Camera

There are multiple reasons why a security camera might be a perfect choice as a professional conference room video camera, including:

• Automatic motion and object tracking
• Superior video quality
• Wired and wireless connectivity
• Remote-controlled PTZ functionality, etc.

4K Wi-Fi auto-tracking security camera – E1 Outdoor Pro

With 3x optical zoom and PTZ functionality over Wi-Fi 6 technology, this security camera can work well as a conference room camera. It provides 4K UHD 8MP resolution and detects audio with the same great clarity.

16MP dual-lens security camera – Duo 3 PoE

This dual-lens UHD camera provides a 180-degree panoramic view with a motion-track feature. Its 16MP resolution is crystal clear, and PoE operation provides connection reliability without creating wire clutter in the conference room.

How to Mount a Conference Room Camera?

When you buy a conference room camera and microphone it usually comes with some mounting options. Some only allow you to use one mounting option while others add accessories for different mounting options. Here we have explained all your mounting options along with their best use case and benefits.

Ceiling-Mounted

Ceiling-mounted cameras are mounted to the ceiling of the conference room, and they use special brackets for that. This mounting type ensures seamless coverage of conferences with the widest coverage.

Wall-Mounted

Wall-mounted cameras are mounted like security cameras are mounted. They are usually secured with screws on walls and provide wide coverage when they offer PTZ functionality. Otherwise, this type of mounting limits the flexibility of coverage.

Tabletop

Tabletop mount cameras usually come with stabilizing feet or clips that keep the camera securely on the conference table. These often come with clips to attach to the screen for better viewing angles.

FAQs

1. Are conference room cameras compatible with different video conferencing platforms?

Yes, most conference room cameras are compatible with different video conferencing platforms. They are built to support platforms like Meet, Teams, Zoom, etc., without needing any additional tools. However, with some products, you may need to install proprietary software for setting up and calibrating smart features.

2. What are the benefits of a conference room camera?

Conference room cameras allow remote participants to participate in meetings more effectively. These cameras improve meeting engagement and clarity while offering versatility and scalability according to conference room requirements. Moreover, they enable remote participants to record their meetings for future training and data-sharing purposes.

Conclusion

A conference room video camera has become an essential accessory for every conference room. It allows teams to sit together for meetings and include participants remotely from other parts of the world for higher convenience. Hopefully, this guide was helpful enough for you to select the right security camera for your conference room while considering your use case and other feature requirements.