The Best Video Conferencing Equipment for Small Businesses in Nigeria

Video Conferencing has been proven to reduce the need for business travel by 47%. The technology also improved how people meet and work, which has helped businesses save travel costs.

The Covid-19 pandemic has revealed the importance of video conferencing for all business sectors. Today, it is not restricted to only large business setups or companies. Small businesses now use video calls as their go-to mode of communication to manage businesses in other locations, training, presentation, and many more. 

In this article, we’ve compiled some of the best video conferencing devices best for small businesses. These devices deliver advanced features that make video conferencing the most effective.

What Are Video Conferencing Equipment? 

Video conferencing equipment is an audio-visual device that makes video calls run smoothly. Equipment like a camera, display, microphone, Speaker, Conferencing PC (optional), and WiFi/Ethernet Device help you get your conference calls started. 

Some conferencing devices combine a camera, microphone, and speaker as an all-in-one solution for small businesses.  

The basic conferencing  equipment for small rooms includes:

• Laptop
• Conferencing PC (example Intel NUC)
• Display
• Camera
• Microphones and speakers
• An all-in-one hardware package.

Laptop:

This is important hardware for setting up a video conferencing room. A laptop is needed to connect your conferencing device and can also serve as a display.  Conferencing platforms such as Zoom, Google Meet, Skype, and so on are installed on the laptop for easy access to communicate with your client.  

Conferencing PC: 

A conferencing PC like the Intel NUC offers desktop functionality in a small, compact form factor. Hence, a laptop is not necessary. However, this is optional and will depend on your meeting configuration. Meeting owl pro, for example, connects directly to your PC and doesn't require a conferencing PC.

Display:

It helps broadcast video output, so you can see the person on the other side of the call, and can be helpful for presentations. The display can be a laptop, desktop monitor, or television screen.

Camera:

There’s no video conferencing without a camera. Quality video conferencing requires that facial expressions and body language be visible. A standalone camera or all-in-one built-in camera is most effective for small businesses to deliver reliable video quality for you and your team. 

Microphones and speakers:

Audio is just as important as visuals when it comes to having an engaging conference call. This technology enables you to maximize the audio quality of your calls and facilitate smooth communication that involves everyone. 

An all-in-one hardware package:

Most conferencing solutions for small businesses are designed as an all-in-one package, with a camera, microphone, and speakers combined in a single unit. It helps reduce wiring mess and provides a significant improvement over a laptop. It is an excellent option for businesses that do not want to purchase separate devices and want to save money. 

Best Video Conferencing Equipment for Business in Nigeria

• Logitech Meetup
• Logitech Group Video Conferencing System
• Logitech BCC950 ConferenceCam
• Meeting Owl Pro
• Jabra Panacast
• Poly Studio
• Cisco Webex DX Desk Pro
• Logitech Rally Plus
• Polycom Studio X30
• Logitech PTZ Pro 2

Companies like Logitech, Poly, and Jabra to name a few are striving to make communication easier, faster, and smarter with advanced features that can benefit small businesses.

Logitech MeetUp:

The Logitech Meetup is a 4k camera with a wide-angle field of view designed for huddle rooms of up to 5 participants. It’s an all-in-one device with a sleek design and a smooth motorized pan-tilt-zoom quality and works with any meeting room display or TV. The Meetup device delivers clear sound and works as a speakerphone when connected through Bluetooth for audio conferencing. Its price point makes it an affordable option for small businesses to hold professional meetings.

Spec:

• 4K PTZ camera with 5X zoom
• Speaker tracking
• 3 beamforming microphones
• 4-meter microphone range (5m with additional mic)
• 3 camera position presets
• 3 beamforming microphones
• Bluetooth connection

Pos:

• Easy plug and play connectivity
• HD video quality
• Delivers great sound 
• Impressive wide-angle field of view that captures the entire room
• Multiple  mounting options
• Logitech RightSense technology

Cons: 

• Poor image quality when zoomed in.
• A separate cable is needed for 4K.

Logitech Group Video Conferencing System

The Logitech Group is a plug-and-play device with a camera, full-duplex speakerphone, and wireless remote control. In addition to the camera's sharp Full HD resolution and a 90° field of view that captures every participant, the duplex speakerphone's advanced technology delivers clear audio without distractions in the meeting room. The speakerphone and expansion mics combined offer a 360-degree coverage with 28 feet pickup range. 

The Logitech Group conference device delivers excellent sound and video experience for meeting spaces of up to 14 participants and is perfect for medium to large conferencing rooms.

Spec:

• All-in-one system with camera, speaker, and microphones
• Perfect for small to medium-sized conference room
• Full HD video with a 90-degree field of view
• 28-foot voice pickup range
• 10x zoom, 260 degrees pan, and 90 degrees tilt
• Echo and noise-canceling technology

Pros:

• Easy to set up
• Perfect for a large conference room
• High-quality video and audio 
• The speakerphone delivers natural and clear sound 
• Wireless remote control and on-device control button 
• Compatible with most video conferencing applications. 

Cons:

• Slow pan, tilt, and zoom functions
• Too much cabling.

Logitech BCC950 ConferenceCam

The Logitech BCC950 camera is a flexible and convenient way to add a video to your conference call for a team of 4. It comes with a 1080p motorized camera, a noise-canceling mic, and a full-range speaker for a room-filling sound. It doubles as a webcam for a user and comes with a height extender that allows you to adjust the camera's height and distance to find the perfect angle for a group call. This webcam is just perfect for huddle room teleconferencing. 

Spec:

• Up to 1080p HD and 30 fps.
• Omni-directional Mic with 8 feet range
• Desk-based with lens height at eye level
• HD video with high-quality audio clarity
• Motorised pan, tilt, zoom and autofocus
• Built-in, full-duplex speakerphone and noise-canceling microphone
• echo reduction technology
• Remote control and base button control options

Pros:

• Well designed, affordable room solution
• USB connection to your PC
• Portable and comes with a remote
• With adjustable height to fit up to 4 participants
• Impressive video and sound quality
• excellent audio quality with acoustic echo cancellation and noise-canceling technology

Cons:

• Narrow 78 degrees of field of view
• Does not support automatic rotation
• It's not for more than 4 people.

Meeting Owl Pro

The meeting owl pro is a smart all-in-one tabletop unit. It has a 360-degree 1080p camera, eight omnidirectional echo-canceling microphones, and a 360° speaker system. It automatically adjusts and focuses on an active speaker, giving a panoramic view of the participants. 

There are three meeting modes to help you quickly adjust to any situation: Huddle Mode for 1:1 calls, Conference Mode for large group meetings, and Classroom Mode for all-hands training sessions. This is a great solution for large conferencing rooms, perfect for remote teams.

Spec:

• All-in-one video conferencing solution
• USB Type-A connection
• 8 smart microphones with 18ft audio pickup 
• 360-degree tri speaker
• 360-degree field of view,1080p Full HD camera
• Autofocus and smart zooming
• Speaker Tracking
• WiFi Connection.

Pros:

• Excellent audio and video quality
• Loud integrated speaker
• Comes in a user-friendly form factor with great software
• Portable design and easy to move around
• Can connect 2 owls for extensive coverage

Cons:

• uses an outdated micro-USB connector

Jabra Panacast

Jabra Panacast is the world’s first intelligent 180-degree Panoramic 4k video solution. It is a versatile camera that delivers an intelligent video experience in small conference rooms. It detects participants and adjusts to include everyone in the conversation, even when participants join and leave the meeting room. For extensive audio coverage, you can add the Jabra speakerphone 710. It comes feature-packed, perfect for those looking for a professional video camera. 

Spec:

• 180-degree Panoramic 4k video technology
• Intelligent zooming
• 3 built-in 13-megapixel camera
• 2 built-in microphones
• panoramic 4k, 1080p streaming
• USB-C port power
• Intuitive camera technology 
• Plug and play connectivity
• Microsoft Team and Zoom certified.

Pros:

• Supports whiteboard sharing and analytics
• High-quality video
• Great software
• Intelligent zoom works great for larger groups

Cons:

• Does not come with a built-in speaker, so you’ll need to get a separate speaker. 

Poly Studio

The Poly Studio USB premium video bar is a high-quality camera and speakerphone system that integrates an auto-framing camera, stereo microphones, and stereo speakers. This Studio Bar is a USB Plug-n-Play all-in-one conferencing solution, specifically designed for a small room conferencing space with about 3-5 participants. It delivers an immersive audio and video experience. The camera in Poly Studio recognizes participants automatically and frames everyone in view appropriately.

Spec:

• Resolution of up to 4k display 
• 27-inch portable display screen 
• Easy deployment and management capability
• Integrated with USB Type-C and HDMI 2.0 inputs 
• Inbuilt microphone array with directional sound pickup 
• Co-created with a dedicated stylus pen for whiteboard experience
• Delivers exceptional sound quality with 3 speakers and a subwoofer  
• The integrated camera delivers a wide-angle view.

Pros:

• Easy setup
• Outstanding AV quality
• Smart auto-tracking feature
• Automatic video framing
• Filters background sounds 

Cons:

• In close-ups, the focus can sometimes be a little soft.

Cisco Webex DX Desk Pro

The Cisco Webex Desk Pro features a high resolution, 4k-touch experience, and a 27-inch screen, making content sharing, including presentations or documents. Webex Desk Pro has advanced cognitive collaboration capabilities like Webex Assistant, Facial recognition, and creative applications like a digital whiteboard. Cisco Webex Desk Pro datasheet.

Spec:

• 27 inch LCD monitor
• 4k Ultra HD camera
• 71° horizontal field of view, 59° vertical field of view
• f/2.0 aperture
• 12 MP image sensor, supports up to 30 fps
• 1/2.8” CMOS, Dual Pixel Technology
• Automatic tilt adjustment
• Automatic focus, brightness, and white balance
• Focus distance 20 cm to infinity
• Privacy shutter with LED light

Pros:

• Customized collaboration experience
• Ideal for modern workspaces
• includes everything you need

Cons:

• Single user
• Microsoft Teams integration is not available.

Logitech Rally Plus

Logitech Rally Plus 4k conference camera stands apart for professional studio-quality video, unmatched voice clarity, and RightSense technology to automate a better video conferencing experience. 

Rally Plus 4k PTZ camera bundle includes, 2 speakers, 2 microphones, a table and display hub each, an efficient cable management system, and a sleek design perfectly fit medium and larger rooms.

Spec:

• For Medium to large rooms Rooms
• 90° Field of View, 15x HD Zoom
• Logitech Rally bundled with camera and audio
• Logitech Rally Video Conferencing Camera with 2 Speakers and 2 Mic Pods
• Rally PTZ 4K UltraHD video conference camera
• Modular audio for full room coverage
• USB 3.0 Connectivity, RF Remote Control
• Sleek design for a modern look
• Installation is Plug-n-Play.

Pros:

• Super-high-resolution, flexible solution
• perfect for large conference rooms 
• Smooth pan-tilt-zoom 
• Beamforming microphone array
• Wide field of view
• Easy setup.

Cons:

• Too much cabling 
• Duplicative hubs
• Two preset buttons.

Logitech Ptz Pro 2

Logitech PTZ Pro 2 offers excellent optical life-like video calls, creating the experience of being together in the same place, even if you are a thousand miles apart.

With 1080p Full HD at 30fps, 90° wide field of view, and 10X lossless Zoom from the remote, you get professional video coverage for your boardroom, church, classroom, conference, and other video-based meetings. Logitech PTZ Pro cam 2 can also Zoom wide or zero in on close-ups to view objects, whiteboard content, and other details. The video camera delivers brilliantly sharp image resolution, outstanding color reproduction, and exceptional optical accuracy.

Spec:

• Full HD Resolution of 1080p at 30 fps
• 3 camera preset
• Motorised pan and tilt, autofocus
• 90 degrees Diagonal Field of View 
• Up to 10x HD zoom capacity
• Smartphone control remote App
• Power: CR2032 battery included.
• Compatible with Windows 7, 8.1, Windows macOS 10.10 or higher. 

Pros:

• Sharp autofocus 
• Outstanding 4k video quality
• Multiple mounting options
• Allows for the best results in any lighting condition.
• Provides a cutting-edge facial recognition application that supports automated login.

Cons:

• It is a bit difficult to install
• Recorded audio sounds muffled at times.

Polycom Studio X30

Poly Studio X30 is a comprehensive video conferencing bar that precisely blends with small and huddle room solutions. Never worry about poor audio during conferencing again. It has built-in beamforming microphone arrays and acoustic chamber design, giving you super clear and crisp voices. Attendees can hear each other clearly during the meeting. 

Spec:

• Up to 4k camera resolution
• 120° Field of View
• 5X digital zoom
• Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity
• Automatic people framing and speaker tracking
• Feature-rich design that is affordable
• Touch display compatible (use the Poly TC8 touch interface) 
• Works with Microsoft Teams, GoToMeeting, Zoom, etc

Pros:

• Compact hardware
• Great price-performance and functionality

Cons:

• Underwhelming image quality

Finding The Best Conferencing Equipment For Your Business.

Finding the right video conferencing solution for your business will depend on a lot of factors. You will need to consider your unique need with the cost of acquiring the equipment. If you are still thinking and not sure, we have a list of the top video conferencing frequently asked questions answered.

However, with careful consideration, you can pick the right video conferencing equipment that suits your business.