Video Conferencing Installation
Video conferencing has become increasingly popular in the last 15 years due to increased convenience from like Skype and Google Hangouts. Although the technology has been around in one form or another since the 1970s, the advent of free Internet services has made public interest skyrocket. With technology continually advancing, video conference systems see widespread use today in business offices, schools, churches, and more.
Although anyone with a cell phone can use video communications today, there is a bit more sophistication to a true video conference system. Basic video conference systems run through a computer, using software and a webcam to transform the computer into a video conferencing device. This type of system can be on the low end of audio/video quality but is a good option to consider when budgeting or using a temporary set-up.
A dedicated video conference system will have permanent equipment installed. This type of system is generally used in locations where the video conference system will be used on a regular basis, such as an office meeting room. Special cameras in these set-ups are mounted to a fixed point but rotate via remote to focus on different parts of the room as needed. The audience in the room will generally use a large television or projector to display the people on the other end of the video call.
Video Conference vs. Telepresence
There are a few other terms out there that interchange with “video conference”, the most prominent of which is “telepresence”. A telepresence system is the big brother of video conferencing, featuring newer technology. Telepresence features clearer video, crisper audio, and superior connectivity. Using cloud-based technology, telepresence lacks the connectivity issues that can cause audio or video to unsync, dropped connections, or other problems that can crop up with subpar video conference systems.
Recently, telepresence has also been combined with other new technologies such as robots. Telepresence robots can be remotely controlled, allowing presenters to “walk around” on a stage for audiences even when they are not physically present. This allows for more hands-on interaction that can provide increased benefits over video conference in areas such as education.
Pre-Installation Tasks
Each installation is unique but they all start with the same thing: a site survey. Measuring the scope of your project is critical in determining what tools and equipment will be needed. Setting up a temporary teleconference system for a one-night event will be very different from installing something high-end and permanent. For simple projects like working with existing hardware, a phone call can be all it takes to start the project planning. For more detailed projects, a technician may need to come out and examine the site.
After the survey is complete, our team will formulate a custom plan for your facility. Factors such as the lighting in the room, default camera settings, and how the system hardware will interconnect will all be factored in here. Prior to the installation, our team can ship HDMI cables, mounts, brackets, and other necessary equipment directly to the job site. On the day of the installation, make sure there is a way for the installer to access the property. Ideally, this will involve having someone on-hand to let them in. This representative should also be able to point the installer to the work area as well.
Completing the Installation
With the materials already onsite, our technicians will unpackage everything and start prepping the walls by cutting holes for cables and hanging brackets/mounts as needed. Then the hardware will be mounted and connected, with cables being run through the walls, floors, and/or ceiling as needed. Once everything has been cleanly connected, the system will be tested to check functionality. After that, it is a simple matter of cleaning up the area and your new video conference system will be ready to go.
At INC, we perform video conference installations for schools, universities, offices, churches, hotels, news stations, and more. A properly installed video conference system not only looks crisp and clean but will also provide key functionality to day-to-day operations. Whether a video conference system is being installed from scratch or tacked onto an existing network, INC is ready to get the job done right.
If you have additional questions on this process, please call us directly at 888-519-9525 or request a quote here. Our team will work with you to prepare your custom installation project.