Video continues to be an important component of collaboration, whether your business is slowing reintegrating back to the office or is still working remotely entirely.
Using video is not only a great way to communicate effectively, but it is also a way to get the most value out of your Webex Calling or Cisco BE6K licenses.
If your users have access to Webex Meetings, each user can join audio and video conferences – along with general PBX features.
While using a laptop with an integrated camera is sufficient for joining video conferences, there are many benefits to opting to use a separate, dedicated video device for conference calls.
At The KR Group, some of the reasons we’ve helped customers implement video devices include:
- Videophones and devices have better quality.
- Meetings aren’t tied to a laptop.
- You can optimize video recording technology.
- Video devices provide an immersive experience for employees.
By reviewing these options, we hope to give you an idea of how your business’s communications could benefit from videophones.
Using videophones means higher quality calls
The most obvious advantage of using a designated video device is quality.
While integrated webcams have come a long way, the primary purpose of a laptop isn’t audio or video conferencing. However, that’s what video phones are designed to do.
This means video and audio quality are better when you use equipment that is designed with this purpose.
With a video phone, you’ll also have options for more camera angles and perspectives. Video devices designed for meetings with multiple people, video devices will be able to accommodate these needs.
From an IT perspective, video devices also are more straightforward when it comes to resolving issues. Since the sole purpose of a video device is video conferencing, your IT department doesn’t have to wade through issues related to other components of the device.
Meetings aren’t tied to a laptop if you use dedicated video devices
When you use a designated video phone as opposed to an integrated webcam, your meeting is no longer tied to a laptop.
If you’ve ever been on a video call with someone who isn’t muted and is typing notes, you can already infer the value of having video on a separate device than your laptop.
Overall, the experience of joining a Webex meeting is more straightforward when using any video phone or Webex device.
It’s easier to optimize video recordings when needed
With social distancing in effect for the foreseeable future, meeting spaces look much different than they did at the beginning of 2020.
Conference rooms that once held a dozen participants have been reduced to a fraction of that capability.
Webex Room Kits have always been capable of focusing on who is speaking, but this capability is especially noteworthy now when participants are sitting 6 feet apart.
Using a microphone array combined with camera capabilities, the technology figures out which speaker is moving their mouth and where audio is coming from to zoom in on them.
This allows the participants on the other end of the video conference to automatically focus on who is speaking instead of searching for the speaker in a full room.
Using multiple video devices can offer an immersive experience
If you’re willing to invest in multiple video devices, you can create an all-encompassing experience, with video of the speaker, the audience, and content.
A common use case for this is classrooms with hybrid learning options. Having one camera pointed at the classroom allows online participants to see interaction going on from in-person participants.
Adding a smartboard (or two) to the set up allows the classroom to view content the speaker is sharing and the video from virtual students.
Which video device is right for you?
As we’ve alluded to, there are multiple options for adding video devices to your collaboration network.
To give you an idea of what these options are, here are choices for different feature levels:
- Cisco 8845 videophone – A phone that looks much like a traditional desk phone, but with an integrated camera and high-resolution screen.
- Cisco Webex DX80 – A touchscreen video phone with a 23-inch screen that looks more like a tablet than a desk phone.
- Cisco Webex Desk Pro – A step up from the DX80, this is an external monitor for individual or small group video calls.
- Cisco Webex Room Kit or Room Kit Plus – These come with a Touch 10 control unit as well as a camera for up to seven or 14 people, depending on the model you choose.
- Cisco Webex Smartboards – This option comes with an integrated camera for video recording and various sized smartboards for sharing content. They’re available in three sizes: 55 inches, 70 inches, or 85 inches.
You can find more information on all of these options on Cisco’s website or in the free datasheet offered at the end of this article.
Adding video devices to your collaboration infrastructure
Adding any of the above-mentioned video devices to your phone system allows you to make the most of your call system.
In-person meetings are still making a comeback, and the ones that exit look drastically different, having external video devices can empower your video conferences.
It gives you better video quality, frees up your users’ laptops, optimizes video, and can provide an immersive experience.
To help you understand the cost of these different devices, check out our article, “How Much Does It Cost to Add Video to a Cisco Call System [Options & Prices].” For more information on the different options of video devices, download this free Cisco datasheet.
