The Recommended Video Conferencing Equipment

Recommended Hardware

The following recommendations are based on our experience with active customer installations. If you have a favorite brand or spare camera not on our list, give it a try.

For Participants at Their Own Desktop

USB Webcams

	Microsoft® HD Lifecam This is a USB 2.0 webcam that captures video at up to HD 720p. [Read Lifecam Review]
	Logitech® HD Pro C910 Ideal for PCs and small conference rooms providing crystal clear images with lots of detail at up to HD 720p sustained, the maximum w/ USB 2.0. [Read C910 Review]
	Facevsion™ N1 The N1 provides great clarity with superb wide-angle field of view. This camera is capable of 30 fps at 1280x720p sustained. Since our N1 review, Facevsion also started shipping the E1 and L2, both HD 720p. [Read N1 Review]
	Logitech QuickCam Pro 9000 Ideal for PCs with large LCD monitors. This is the most popular standard definition webcam for use with Nefsis. [Read Quickcam Review]
	Logitech Quickcam Orbit AF For PC desktops. This camera offers pan-and-tilt tracking, it is good for speakers and trainers that move around during live meetings. It can also be used as an entry-level conference room camera. See below for more conference room equipment recommendations.
	Logitech Webcam C905 Ideal for laptops.
	For the latest Windows Vista and Windows 7 devices drivers, please click Logitech to retrieve the latest updates

USB Headsets

Headsets are strongly recommended for
PC and laptop users. However, if you require external microphones and speakers, no problem. Please see the echo canceller microphone section below.

	Plantronics Audio .470 USB
	Sennheiser PC 25
	Plantronics DA-40 USB to headset adapter Designed to adapt Plantronics telephone headsets for use with a PC.
	Revolabs Desktop Solo - USB Suitable for presenters that need to be mobile during a web or video conference session.

USB Speakerphones

ClearOne Chat 50 USB Personal Conference Phone For use with laptops and desktop computers(8 ft maximum effective range). Please remember to update your driver/firmware for this product. You can find those updates here.

For small conference rooms

  

	Logitech Quickcam Orbit AF The Logitech® QuickCam® Orbit is a low-cost, USB camera with motorized pan-and-tilt tracking (panning) and auto-focus. The image quality is excellent, especially considering its price tag (US street price approximately $125). Installation is as easy as plugging in a USB cable. This webcam is good for speakers and trainers that move around during live meetings. It can also be used as an entry-level conference room camera. See below for more large conference room equipment recommendations.
	Phoenix Audio Duet PCS The PCS is recommended for small conference rooms.
	Phoenix Audio Duet Executive The Duet Executive is similar to the Duet PCS, however, the Executive model allows multiple Executive mics to be connected together (daisy chained) so it is more effective in a larger room. Please note a power outlet is required for each Executive microphone after the first unit and a small terminator must also be connected to all the Executive microphones after the first mic. Please refer to the Phoenix Audio Duet Executive review or contact us for details on this setup.

For Large Conference Rooms

Standard Definition & HD Pan-Tilt-Zoom Cameras

Any standard definition video camera with an S-video output (or any high definition camera with an HDMI output cable), with a Windows compatible capture card can be used in a Nefsis video conference.

For example, the Sony D70 is a leading conference room camera, with outstanding image quality, pan, tilt, zoom, and pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ) pre-sets. This camera is a mainstay in conference and boardroom installations. Contact us for details.

	SONY EVI-D70 Standard Definition Camera Recommended for standard desktop users as well as conference rooms. Excellent PTZ capabilities with remote. Requires a standard video capture card, camera mount and S-Video or composite cable (RCA).
	Sony EVI-HD1 High Definition Camera Recommended for conference and boardrooms only. To use the high definition capabilities, an HD video capture card is required. For more information on HD capture cards, see details below.
	Vaddio ClearVIEW HD-18 High Definition Camera Recommended for large conference rooms and boardrooms. An HD capture card, cable and mounting assembly are required. The ClearVIEW 18 features PTZ, 18x lens, SD and component HD output.

PC Video Capture Cards

Hauppauge 1250 This is a multipurpose, single-slot PCI Express x1 adapter for cable TV and ATSC high definition digital signals. In addition to standard and HD video capture, the built-in tuner can be used with cable TV inputs, which may be useful if you have TV in your conference room. In addition to Nefsis compatibility, this card supports Microsoft Media Center. This is a half-height card with a full-height bracket supplied.

Hauppauge 1850 Similar to the 1250 above, but full-height card with more hardware-based accelerators for better system performance. For details, please visit the Hauppauge Computer Works website.

PCIe Video Capture Cards

Aja Kona LHi HD (Recommended) — For Sony EVI-HD1 or equivalent HD video input — The Aja Kona LHi is an excellent general purpose HD-capable capture card. It can manage analog SD composite and s-video inputs, and the latest digital 3Gb SDI and HDMI video streams. In particular the high definition Sony EVI-HD1 conference room camera (see above) was tested with this card. *Compatible with Windows Vista & Windows 7

 Audio Equipment

 Echo Cancellation Mixers

Headsets with earpieces and boom microphones are strongly recommended for desktop users, but in conference rooms, boardrooms and some training facilities, external speakers are required. In these cases, echo cancelling audio inputs are required.

The ClearOne product line is a mainstay in high-end video conferencing and telepresence installations, with multiple inputs, mixing, and standard audio out. It is suitable for medium and large boardrooms and applications where the highest quality is required. Almost every telepresence installation uses ClearOne audio equipment.

For small conference rooms, tabletop units with speakers and built-in echo cancelling mics are available from Phoenix Audio, Yamaha and others. The best choice depends on your budget, the size of your conference room and the application. The staff at Nefsis helps customers to configure A/V peripherals for boardrooms and conference rooms. Please contact us for assistance or a PDF of compatible video conferencing equipment and standard configuration guides.

	ClearOne INTERACT AT (Connects to a host computer via USB or sound card) The Converge INTERACT AT conferencing system delivers optimum audio performance and configuration flexibility for medium-sized rooms requiring up to nine microphones. It features innovative microphone distribution that delivers significant cost savings and flexibility for users. Nefsis and ClearOne Converge setup diagram These hardware products and cable assemblies are available for sale here
	3 x ClearOne Mic - Unidirectional Table Top Design
	3.5 mm (M) - RCA (M) Y-Adapter
	RCA (M) - RCA (F)

 Example ClearOne Conference Room Configurations

Type 1 - Standard Conference Room With Solo Mic
Type 2 - Standard Conference Room Setup With Converge Mixer

Standard Echo Canceller Microphones

	ClearOne Chat 150 Conference Room Microphone The effective pickup range for this microphone is 10ft or less. Please remember to update your driver/firmware for this product.
You can find those updateshere:
	Revolabs Fusion 4 Channel System (Wireless) Designed for boardrooms and conference rooms. Revolabs Fusion 8 Channel System (Wireless) The Fusion 8 is shown at left, it is recommended for very large, or very long conference rooms. Each microphone provides good coverage for 4 to 6 feet.
	Yamaha PJP-25UR This product features unidirectional (arms open) and omnidirectional (arms closed) pickup.  Suitable for small conference rooms.

Omni-Directional Microphones

	Revolabs Wireless Microphone Recommended for trainers who need to move around a room or workstations where wiring is difficult.
	Revolabs Solo Wireless Microphone The Revolabs Plug and Play Solutions are best suited for the Audio/Visual system that is not installed in the room as a permanent feature. These systems are used in small and medium-sized rooms where price and ease-of-installation are major concerns.
	Omni-Directional Shure MX393 Tabletop Microphone The Tabletop Mic is perfect for teleconferencing applications that demand high-performance audio quality. The small size makes these mics ideal for conference tables that require minimum-visibility microphones.
	Shure MX393 The Microflex models from Shure are the smartest boundary microphones to date. Equipped with features such as silent membrane switches, logic inputs and outputs, and LED indicators, Microflex Boundary microphones are a high-quality solution for a broad range of applications such as boardrooms and distance learning centers. Every Microflex Boundary microphone features a choice of interchangeable condenser cartridges.

Video Conferencing Accessories & Specialty Equipment

Tripods and Wall Mounts for Sony Cameras

	Wall Mount Sony WM-30B Wall Mount Recommended for conference rooms.
	Davis and Sanford 64" Tripod Recommended for conference rooms. Ideal for "floor top" installations that require tripods that can be moved.
	Velbon DF-10ml 25" Tripod Ideal for placing camera on a table top, such as workstation users that need pan-tilt-zoom cameras, or conference rooms that cannot use wall mounts.

Cables & Jacks

12' S-Video Cable

Phone Recording Adapter/Jack The DynaMetric Web Conference Recording adapter plugs in quickly and easily between your handset or headset and the telephone base. The adapter is then connected to your computer's soundcard such that all the telephone audio during your web conference will be recorded too. Please Note: This adapter is not compatible with "Princess" or Trim-Line style phones where the dial pad is in the handset. This product will not work on some GE phones. Please contact DynaMetric for a list of compatible GE phone models.

USB Audio Sound Adapter

USB Sound Card with Line-Input Full-duplex audio for PCs that do not have a sound card or audio input.

USB Video Capture Adapter

USB 2.0 Video Capture Device USB video adapters accept almost any S-video input including DVD players, handheld video cameras, etc. USB video adapters are ideal for portable applications and where PCI cards are not practical. *When purchasing a USB video adapter, be sure to get USB 2.0 or later, and check for Windows 7 compatibility. USB 1.0 adapters do not have the transfer rate required for video applications.