New tools to present familiar faces
Tonight was, if you will, a celebration of technology. After seven years of use, our videoconference camera has served us well, but the shortcomings were outshining the benefits, so after several months of research, installation and testing, a new system was given it’s “baptism under fire” this evening. And, after the fact, I think we left the customers satisfied.
I’ve been the one in the corner of the room with a remote control for the best part of those years, trying to track speakers around a conference table using one motorized camera, and the show hasn’t always been spectacular. The camera had an annoying habit of parking its view in one corner, leaving me to wait out the lapse. As well, there was no forgiveness when my train of thought derailed, and the camera stayed for too long on any one individual.
The new system involved three media screens, three camera units, automatic focus on the speaker (keyed to their microphone), the ability to insert feed from a document camera or a variety of media feeds. Projection of PowerPoint to the remote site; the kind of thing that raises the hair on the neck of certain presenters. All available now, with a computer interface that (eventually) anyone can use.
Tonight was the “first time”, so my level of distrust stayed very high. To my immense satisfaction, all went well, and there was even a few minutes of feedback (praise) to reward the ego. I felt almost unnecessary; natural after the level of involvement required with the old system.
And now I’m home, and the day has been good to me.
