10 Proven Hacks to Transform Your Dull Video Calls into Clear, Crisp & HD Quality!
With the sudden increase in remote work and virtual meetings, video calls have become the norm. But poor video quality can spoil even the best intentions. Nothing is more frustrating than struggling to hear or see the person you’re talking to. Fortunately, there are several things you can do to make sure that your video calls are clear, crisp, and HD-quality.
1. Invest in Good Equipment
Investing in high-quality equipment is essential for a successful video call. A high-resolution camera, a high-end microphone, and speakers are all essential to ensure that the video call is clear and crisp.
2. Check the Lighting
Lighting plays an important role in video quality. A well-lit room can make a significant difference in the quality of the video. Make sure to choose a well-lit area for your video call and avoid bright lights, shadows, and glare. Use natural light if possible, and if not, install soft lights in your room.
3. Adjust the Camera Height
The camera should be at eye level or slightly higher. This position helps you to appear more approachable and professional on the video call. If you have a laptop, use a stand to position it at the right height.
4. Use the Right Software
Using the right software for video calls can make a significant difference in the quality of the video calls. Choose software that is specifically designed for video conferencing, such as Zoom or Skype, as they offer advanced features to improve the video quality.
5. Check your Internet Connection
A strong internet connection is critical for good video quality. Poor internet connection results in lag time and low-quality video. Conduct speed tests regularly and ensure that your internet connection can sustain video calls.
6. Minimize Background Noise
Background noise can disrupt a video call and make communication challenging. To minimize background noise, use a headset or earbuds with a microphone. Reduce the noise by choosing a quiet, noise-free location to host your call.
7. Optimize Camera Settings
Adjust your camera settings to improve the video quality. Most cameras have settings for brightness, contrast, saturation, and sharpness that can improve the overall quality and crispness of your video.
8. Learn Video Call Etiquette
Learn video call etiquette to ensure that your video calls are smooth and productive. Avoid multitasking during video calls, maintain eye contact, and use nonverbal cues to show that you are actively listening.
9. Speak Clearly
Clear speech is essential in video calls. Speak slowly and enunciate words to ensure that others can understand what you’re saying. Avoid talking over people, and take turns to avoid confusion.
10. Put on a Smile
A smile can change how people perceive you during video calls. Keep a smile on your face to appear more approachable, friendly and add a dose of positivity to the call. A smile can also help you relax, communicate more effectively, and feel more confident.
In conclusion, clear, crisp, and high-definition video calls are essential for effective communication during remote work and virtual meetings. By investing in good equipment, optimizing your camera settings and lighting, minimizing background noise, and following video call etiquette, you can transform your dull video calls to clear, crisp, and HD quality.
Quarantines and lockdowns all around the globe have us working online and relying on video conferences and virtual meetings to get most work done. Sitting in front of a webcam for hours is now the new norm, with apps such as Zoom, Skype, etc., having taken over most of our daily lives. Many are now wondering how to improve the quality of their video calls and to look as good on the Internet as they do in real life. Whether you’re a student wanting to improve your online classroom video calls or a businessman wanting to look good on camera, these tips will help you improve your video calls’ quality.
Lighting
The most important factor for any video, be it a casual or professional one, is the lighting. In a video call you need to make sure your face is well-lit. If you’re sitting in front of a window or in front of a light source, your face will be back-lit, meaning that your face will be dark and the background/surroundings will be completely white.
However, if you keep the natural light coming from a window ahead of you and position yourself in front of a light source, your face and features will be much more complemented – you can see the difference below for yourself:
Try to position yourself near a light source. The best option for this is a window with natural light coming in, but any other lamp/light source will work. I personally like to place a video call from my laptop sitting in front of my monitor – the soft, white light from my monitor helps improve the quality of my video calls.
Make sure whichever light source you choose is either positioned at an angle directly in front of you or above you. If you place a light source at a lower position, your video call may look like a horror movie.
Background
Another very important factor to keep in mind is the background you’re displaying to the people on the other end on the call. It’s better to have a plain clean background. Having a background cluttered with things can really distract others. This may not be an issue if it’s a personal call, but if you’re in a business meeting or taking an online class, you should convey that in your background.
Camera Angle
We discussed having the correct lighting angle for your video call, and having a correct camera angle is just as important. A camera should always be placed at eye-level or slightly above that. This will be the norm for those working on a table, but if calling from another place, make sure you set the angle properly. You don’t want to position your camera so high that you need to look above it, nor do you want to place it so low that everyone can see the inside of nostrils, or your double-chin. Always keep the camera at eye level.
Internet Connection
With any online important activity, having a good Internet connection is crucial to making an online video call. Have at least a 1 to 2 Mbps connection, otherwise you may encounter frequent lag and may not be able to see/hear/understand the other person. We also recommend doing a trial run before joining an actual meeting. Have a backup network and backup equipment nearby to use in the event something goes wrong. (Yes, things always go wrong when you least expect them to.)
Eye Contact, Posture and Attitude
As in any conversation, eye contact, posture and attitude make an instrumental difference in a video call. When talking to someone, make sure you are looking directly into the camera instead of onto your own face on the screen. We recommend just checking your own image once before the call and then closing it altogether, as it can be a distraction for many. Looking directly at the camera makes people feel you are looking directly at them and lets them see you as trustworthy and confident.
Similarly, posture and attitude are of a lot of importance too. Sitting up straight and attentive makes you look way better than slouching on your chair, which may make people think of you as unmotivated and lazy.
Dressing
The way you look always reflects on your personality, and this is no different when it comes to a video call. Depending on the type of video call, dress appropriately from head to toe – you don’t want to be looking like the following image in a call.
Consider the background color of your video call before choosing out clothes so that you don’t blend in. Another important tip is to try to avoid shirts with small patterns or repetitive detailing. This causes an effect known as Moiré effect and causes a distraction pattern on camera.
That’s it. Using the tips mentioned above, you’ll be able to improve the quality of your video calls. More than anything, always be confident and prepared, as it’ll help you survive any video call. If you are using Zoom, don’t forget to use some of its features for having a better remote meeting.
Image credit: Handsome smiling businessman waving by DepositPhotos
Shujaa Imran is MakeTechEasier’s resident Mac tutorial writer. He’s currently training to follow his other passion become a commercial pilot. You can check his content out on Youtube
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