Videoconference Tips

Overview

Tips for having the best experience with audio- and videoconferencing using Microsoft Teams, Zoom, or other applications.

Information

Audio

• Use headphones or a headset. They can prevent audio feedback and make you much easier to understand.
• Try to connect from a quiet location. The ambient sound at coffee shops and other locations can sound loud to people on the other end of the call, even they don't seem loud to you.
• Choose one device per physical space for audio. If two or more people are connecting to a meeting from the same physical location, make sure only one person has the audio/microphones turned on on their laptops. Otherwise there will be audio feedback.
• Mute your microphone. Keep your microphone muted except when you want to speak. Unmute yourself when you want to speak.
• Silence application notifications and mobile devices. Applications, such as Outlook, may alert you to a new email in your inbox via a sound. These notification sounds can be distracting for you and others on the call.

Network and System

• Use a good network connection. If you have a wired connection available for your machine, please use it. If you must use Wi-Fi, make sure you’re in a place with a good signal. An upload/download speed of 1.5 Mbps is recommended for HD video quality. (You can check your connection speed at Speedtest.net.)
• Check the system requirements.
  • Microsoft Teams
  • Zoom

Share with Care

• Prepare yourself and choose a location. If using video, remember that other participants will be able to see you and the space you're in.
• Consider obscuring your background. Depending on your device, you may be able to blur your background (in Teams and Zoom) or use a virtual background (in Teams and Zoom). We recommend testing these options ahead of time.
• Align with your camera. If using video, occasionally check to see that your face is properly centered in the camera's view.
• Be careful what you share. When preparing to share your desktop, be aware of what is visible on your screen, such as web browser tabs and other applications.