The Best Video Conference Equipment for hybrid work

What benefits does a high-quality video image bring to meetings? 

Shorter and more efficient sessions

"When the cameras are on, the meetings are shorter on average. Then we can also interpret non-verbal communication such as facial expressions and gestures and subconsciously understand things better - and this can be reflected into shorter meetings. Concentration can also be better," says Valtonen.

Feeling of togetherness

The hybrid meetings have also introduced completely new challenges. The meeting experience varies a lot depending on whether the meeting is attended from an office conference room or remotely from another location. For example, a participant with poor sound and image quality may feel that he remains invisible in meetings and thus even outside the working community.

"Video is an essential part of interaction and creating relationships – to avoid the situation where we just rely on sound. A high-quality video image plays a really important role," says Melo da Silva.

Social bonds are strengthened better in meetings where you are present via video than in those without a camera.

Environmental effects

The positive environmental effects are also benefits of video meetings. One may save nature and money if there is no need to move to another location for the meeting, compared to live meetings.

Equality in the work community

"When we are in a meeting with a camera, we will be seen. If the practice is not encouraged, many employees can easily be forgotten - we may not remember their existence or their contribution to the company, as it should be remembered," says Valtonen.

The video also brings equality to meetings.

"No matter where you are or how you join the meeting, it does not reduce your space in the meeting - we are equally present and we will be seen and heard," says Melo da Silva.

Focus on the essentials

When the sound and picture quality is right in meetings, it is easier to focus on the content of the meeting itself and the topics to be discussed. Participants do not need to use all their capacity trying to understand what the other end wants to say.

"If you have to stress about the connection, the attention is focused on the wrong things. That's why high-quality technology can make work much more efficient," Valtonen reminds.

No matter where you work, joining meetings as easily as possible and with a good video image is important. For example, tuning the devices should not be challenging, as it easily eats up time and energy from the meeting itself.

Thanks to the wide viewing angle, the square footage of the office can be used efficiently and even a small conference room can be completely captured in the picture. The device also helps ensure that the meeting experience is as pleasant and natural as possible for remote participants.

Because the impressive features of Jabra Panacast 50 have been incredibly popular, requests have been made for Jabra to turn it into a fully-fledged Microsoft Teams Rooms device. Jabra PanaCast 50 Video Bar System, a next-generation, Android-based, stand-alone video bar that once it’s out will include all the capabilities you find on the PanaCast 50 and then some. Jabra PanaCast 50 Video Bar System is on its way to getting certified for Teams and Zoom and first units are planned to be shipped on June 15th.

Jabra PanaCast 50 Video Bar System represents a completely new way of thinking about Microsoft Teams Rooms devices. The unit follows the same form factor as previous units and showcases the same impressive capabilities that only a triple-camera array with 4K resolution and a 180-degree field of view can deliver. But unlike other units in the line-up, Jabra has embedded a powerful compute unit inside the video bar and consequently turned it into a fully-fledged certified Microsoft Teams Rooms device.

The combination of high-precision microphones, exquisite audio, camera resolution and lightweight design makes Jabra PanaCast 50 Video Bar System a prime candidate for all types and sizes of meeting spaces. But when deployed in small meeting spaces the Jabra PanaCast 50 Video Bar System outpaces most of its competition.

Jabra's Hybrid Ways of Working 2022 Global Report study was used as a data source.