Video conference like a pro

With the current society requirements for social distancing, video conferencing is becoming the new normal, and will probably continue into the foreseeable future.

Video conferencing is much more enjoyable for you and others if some preparation is provided. As you become more used to video conferencing and it becomes more of a necessity, you can gradually update parts of your system to improve your experience. 

Location, location, location. 

Find a space in the home that is free of visual distractions. Although popular software has virtual background options, they can look artificial and be themselves distracting. Ideally, find a place that doesn’t have a lot of hard surfaces. Sound bounces off hard surfaces creating an echo that can make your voice hard for others to hear. Sit upright at a desk or table to ensure a consistent setup, and good posture. 

Choose your device wisely

Use a computer with a built in camera or a seperate webcam mounted to the display if possible. A laptop computer may benefit from using a laptop riser to improve the height of the camera.

As fantastic as modern phone cameras are, the screen format is often not ideal, especially when participating in group meetings. The viewpoint from a handheld phone will not be ideal for viewers. If you do use a mobile device, setup and composition is very important.

Light is up

Lighting is important for any video. Illuminate your face with a forward facing light, and use another light source behind you to seperate yourself from the background. The front light can be a window during the day, combined with a lamp if required. A well positioned front light is definitely required at night. The front light should be located behind your camera to avoid washing out the video, and effectively illuminating your face.

Mic up 

Built in computer microphones are typically very average. Try using an external USB microphone mounted on a stand, or desk-mounted boom arm. If using a mobile device, use a headset that integrates earphones and a microphone. 

Listen up

Use headphones to monitor your voice, and to hear others. You can easily make necessary adjustments when you can hear your own voice. Closed-back headphones, or noise cancelling headphones limit background noise that can be distracting. 

Applications

Familiarise yourself with the application that your meeting uses. You may need to download an app and register as a user. Each app is a little different to set up, and will allow you to test video and audio settings. Practice using the app and understand how to mute the microphone, and video when required.

Dress up

Be sure to look the part, as you would in person for a meeting, ensuring that you are appropriately groomed and dressed.

Compose yourself

Ensure your computer camera is located at head height, with your front light locates behind the camera. Your video image should show your upper body and head. Think about how you see a television newsreader on screen.

If you must use a mobile device, mount it in a compatible bracket, on a tripod or similar, to be a head height. Avoid resting your device up against something or holding it in your hand – this will produce an unflattering image of a view up your nostrils. 

Lights, camera, action

When the time comes to connect into your meeting, be prepared to check in a little early. A meeting host should allow to to join the meeting a few minutes early. Having already tested your composition, video and audio prior to the meeting, ensure your microphone is muted as you connect in.

My video conference set-up

Enjoy

A good video meeting setup will provide the foundation of a good experience, and give you confidence to interact with others. Once you get into your meeting, be yourself, as you would in a normal meeting. Take note of who does it well, and who may need improvement, for your own improvement. With practice, you will improve your video meeting technique to be a video conference pro.

Philips Dynalite Hardware Installation Guide

I often get asked for information and training material by electrical contractors and integrators for how to install Philips Dynalite systems. Whilst we host training sessions when we can, sometimes quality documentation is all that may be required to fulfill an immediate need.

The Philips Dynalite Hardware Installation Guide is a fantastic resource that covers many aspects of a Dynalite installation, that could be forwarded to installers and subcontractors who may not have experience with Dynalite installations.

Download and view the Philips Dynalite Hardware Installation Guide here.

This series of articles from my Dynalite page focuses on products from the Philips Dynalite networked lighting control portfolio. Many industry professionals regard Philips Dynalite as being the world’s best lighting control system, that I have represented with Lightmoves for many years. SimonLakey

Getting to know: Antumbra Lite

Those with an eagle eye, may have seen the new AntumbraLite lighting control panel on the Dynalite.org site.

The newly announced AntumbraLite sets new standards for functionality and aesthetic appeal within the market.

Responding to market requests, particularly from the hospitality industry, for a more cost effective user interface, AntumbraLite is engineered to deliver focused features while retaining the Antumbra look and feel.

AntumbraLite reuses AntumbraButton’s mechanical parts without the networking components has resulted in a cost-effective addition to the control market. It is intended for use with Dynalite load controllers that have dry contact inputs. 

Available in the full range of Antumbra button and rim finishes, AntrumbraLite also supports customized button labelling with text or icons to suit any application.

I will provide more information as it becomes available.

Specification Sheet
Installation Instructions

Applications

Each AntumbraLite can send six dry contact signals out. Each of these must be wired to a compatible load controller that supports dry contact inputs, such as the DDRC-GRMS-E (18 dry contact inputs), DDMC802 (8 dry contact inputs), and DDRC810DT-GL (8 dry contact inputs).

If required, additional user interfaces can be connected using a dry contact input device such as the DDMIDC8DPMI940-DALI, and DLLI8I8O. Each of these devices can respond directly to dry contact inputs, or forward them as network messages for the system to then execute the requested function.

The AntumbraLite panel can also be used with a DPMI940-DALI and used as a DALI user interface.

We are currently exploring other applications for the AntumbraLite that could be beneficial, and will provide updates as we find them.

This series of articles from my Dynalite page focuses on products from the Philips Dynalite networked lighting control portfolio. Many industry professionals regard Philips Dynalite as being the world’s best lighting control system, that I have represented with Lightmoves for many years. SimonLakey