NETRC Resources - Video Conferencing Tips for Great Meetings • Make sure you have the video number(s) of the site you want to call or that the site is listed in a directory. • Set your camera presets before you start your call so that you can quickly use them during the call. • Add peripherals to your system to expand its use. For example, you can add a VCR if you want to show a videotape or, for VSX 7000 systems, you can add a Visual Concert VSX if you want to share data from a laptop or desktop PC. Tips for Great Video • Avoid wearing bright colors, all-light or all-dark clothing, or very "busy" patterns (such as small checks or narrow stripes). Light pastels and muted colors look the best on the screen. • If there are windows in the room, close any drapes or blinds. Daylight is a variable light source and can conflict with interior room lighting. • Use natural gestures when you speak. • When adjusting your cameras during the meeting, try to fill the screen as much as possible with people rather than with the table, chairs, walls, or the floor. Tips for Great Audio • Speak in your normal voice without shouting. • Ask the people at the other site if they can hear you. Have them introduce themselves so you can be sure that you can hear them. • Since the audio has a very slight delay, you may want to pause briefly for others to answer you or to make comments. • As with any meeting, try to limit side conversations. • Place the microphone on the table in front of the people in the meeting. If your room is very large, consider adding another microphone. • If your video conferencing room is configured to use stereo sound, the microphones are positioned at the end of the conference table nearest the video conferencing system. One microphone pod is positioned on the left side of the table and one on the right. The left and right microphones are configured during system setup. It is important that you do not move them as this may detract from the stereo audio experience. • Don't place papers or other objects on or in the way of the microphone, and don't rustle papers or tap on the microphone or table. Tips for Showing Documents Tips for Showing Documents • You can attach a laptop or a desktop PC to your system. You can then show documents that are stored on the laptop or PC to the other people in the conference. • Check that your system has the application you need to show your documents, such as Microsoft® PowerPoint, Project, or Word. • For a smoother presentation, be sure your document is open and ready to show before you start the video call. For more info follow these helpful links: Basic Requirements for succesful Video Conferencing Network Fundamentals Advanced Components and Management