Lighting for Video Conferencing

Lighting for Video ConferencingLighting for Video Conferencing

Have you experienced problems with the lighting in your Video Conferencing room? Is the image you send or receive too dark?

First, some simple rules:

  • Cameras need LOTS of light, especially HD ones!
  • More light equals more depth of field (amount in focus)
  • 70 foot candles measured at the subject is ideal
  • Should be indirect, ideally diffused
  • Cameras don’t handle glare well, so avoid it where possible
  • Aim for even light levels
  • Aim for a single light temperature*

*Light temperature refers in this case to incandescent light or daylight. Incandescent light has a temperature of 3200K which is ideal, however if windows are letting in daylight, then it is often easier to change all the room lights to 5600K to avoid blue or orange tints caused by the inability of the camera to set a white balance because of two temperatures.

Vertical blinds are preferred to horizontal blinds because the horizontal lines corrupt the scanning nature of camera technology whereas vertical lines aid focussing.

It is important to help cameras ‘separate’ background from people, this is often achieved by simply painting the background blue!  Why blue?  Because the lack of blue pigment in human skin helps cameras achieve separation without the need, or at least minimising the need, to use backwash lighting although this is still helpful if available.

Video Conferencing from a meeting room involves a degree of compromise, cost of broadcast quality cameras is prohibitive, cost and appearance of ‘professional lights’ not to mention the heat. Position of camera and size of display are all factors in the experience.

It is important to understand and agree the level of compromise that is acceptable and to make cost effective improvements where possible to get the most from the Video Conferencing investment.

One last thing, AuDeo have offered the tips and advice but can we help with the solution?  Of course we can!

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Glossary

Videoconferencing is a live communication between people in separate locations. It usually involves audio and text as well as video. Videoconferencing in its simplest form transmits static images and text between two locations. Sophisticated video systems today can transmit full-motion video images and high-quality audio between multiple locations.
Video conferencing solutions comprise of everything you need to enable video communication between people in separate locations. Video conferencing systems can range from simple desk top systems for one-to-one video calls through to a sophisticated system, fully integrated into the design of your room for a video call between many people at a number of different locations.