Recommended Video Conferencing Equipment:
Webcams, HD Cameras, Headsets & Conference Room Microphones
Nefsis
multiparty video conferencing software and online meeting
services work with virtually any Windows compatible peripheral
Please see our hardware recommendations below.
You may purchase these peripherals from
GoElectronic,
CDW or
practically any hardware reseller worldwide. To try Nefsis,
click free trial.
Why get stuck with proprietary hardware?
Nefsis is broadly compatible with a wide variety of industry standard PC audio and video
conferencing equipment. You can use any camera you like. Nefsis is peripheral agnostic
and it automatically selects the highest quality imaging capabilities
of your camera, within the limits of your Internet bandwidth.
You
can mix and match ordinary webcams, conference room pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ) cameras, HD,
PC and laptop built-in cameras ... even conference participants with no camera whatsoever,
all in the same online meeting. Using Nefsis business-grade proxy and firewall compatibility,
you can conference with virtually any computer and boardroom anywhere in the world
with basic Internet connectivity. With a full suite of
web conferencing features
built-in, you can collaborate and share data in ways unimaginable with typical video conferencing
solutions.
Recommended Hardware
The following recommendations are based on our experience with active customer installations.
If you have a favorite brand or spare camera not on our list, give it a try.
for Participants at Their Own Desktop
USB Webcams
USB Headsets
Headsets are strongly recommended for PC and laptop users. However, if you require external
microphones and speakers, no problem. Please see the echo canceller microphone section below.
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Plantronics Audio .470 USB
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Sennheiser PC 25
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Plantronics DA-40 USB to headset adapter
Designed to adapt Plantronics telephone headsets for use with a PC.
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Revolabs Desktop Solo - USB
Suitable for presenters that need to be mobile during a web
or video conference session.
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USB Speakerphones
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ClearOne Chat 50 USB Personal Conference Phone
For use with laptops and desktop computers(8 ft maximum effective range). Please
remember to update your driver/firmware for this product. You can find those updates
here.
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Jabra/Logitech BSP 420 Speakerphone
This USB echo-cancelling speakerphone was designed
specifically for VoIP applications. It works well with
Nefsis. This speakerphone is for desktop applications
only, the cord is too short for conference rooms.
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for small conference rooms
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Logitech Quickcam Orbit AF
The Logitech® QuickCam® Orbit is a low-cost, USB camera with
motorized pan-and-tilt tracking (panning) and auto-focus. The image quality
is excellent, especially considering its price tag (US street price approximately
$125). Installation is as easy as plugging in a USB cable.
This webcam is good for speakers and trainers
that move around during live meetings. It can also be
used as an entry-level conference room camera. See below
for more large conference room equipment recommendations.
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Phoenix Audio Duet PCS
The PCS is recommended for small conference rooms. The Duet is an
easy-to-install USB audio peripheral.
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Phoenix Quattro2
The second generation Quattro2 was designed for small to
medium-sized conference rooms and easy USB installation. It
has four mics, five speakers, and multiple hardware-based
echo cancellers. Several Quattro2 units can be daisy
chained to cover larger rooms.
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Phoenix Audio Duet Executive
The Duet Executive is similar to the Duet PCS, however, the
Executive model allows multiple Executive mics to be daisy
chained together for applications in larger rooms. A power
outlet is required for each Executive microphone after
the first unit and a small terminator must also be connected
to the last mic. Please refer to the
Phoenix
Audio Duet Executive review or contact
us for details on this setup.
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for Large Conference Rooms
Standard Definition & HD Pan-Tilt-Zoom Cameras
Any standard definition video camera with an S-video output (or any high definition camera
with an HDMI output cable), with a Windows compatible capture card can be used in a Nefsis video
conference.
For example, the Sony D70 is a leading conference room camera, with outstanding image quality,
pan, tilt, zoom, and pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ) pre-sets. This camera is a mainstay in conference
and boardroom installations. Contact us for details.
PC Video Capture Cards
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Hauppauge 1250
This is a multipurpose, single-slot PCI Express x1
adapter for cable TV and ATSC high definition digital
signals. In addition to standard and HD video capture,
the built-in tuner can be used with cable TV inputs, which may
be useful if you have TV in your conference room. In
addition to Nefsis compatibility, this card supports
Microsoft Media Center. This is a half-height card with
a full-height bracket supplied.
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Hauppauge 1850
Similar to the 1250 above, but full-height card with
more hardware-based accelerators for better system
performance. For details, please visit the Hauppauge
Computer Works website.
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PCIe Video Capture Cards
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Aja Kona LHi HD (Recommended)
— For Sony EVI-HD1, HD7 or equivalent HD video input —
The Aja Kona LHi is an excellent general purpose
HD-capable capture card. It can manage analog SD
composite and s-video inputs, and the latest digital 3Gb
SDI and HDMI video streams. In particular the high
definition Sony EVI-HD1 conference room camera (see above)
was tested with this card. *Compatible with Windows
Vista & Windows 7
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DeckLink Studio (Recommended)
The Decklink Studio is a lower cost, general purpose
HD-capable capture card. It works with a variety of
HD video inputs, including all the HD conference room
cameras above. *Compatible with Windows Vista &
Windows 7
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Audio Equipment
Echo Cancellation Mixers
Headsets
with earpieces and boom microphones are strongly recommended for desktop users, but in conference rooms,
boardrooms and some training facilities, external speakers are required. In these cases, echo cancelling audio
inputs are required.
The ClearOne product line is a mainstay in high-end video conferencing and telepresence installations, with
multiple inputs, mixing, and standard audio out. It is suitable for medium and large boardrooms and applications
where the highest quality is required. Almost every telepresence installation uses ClearOne audio equipment.
For small conference rooms, tabletop units with speakers and built-in echo cancelling mics are available from Phoenix
Audio, Yamaha and others. The best choice depends on your budget, the size of your conference room and the application.
The staff at Nefsis helps customers to configure A/V peripherals for boardrooms and conference rooms. Please
contact us for assistance or a PDF of compatible video conferencing equipment
and standard configuration guides.
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ClearOne INTERACT AT
(Connects to a host computer via USB or sound card)
The Converge INTERACT AT conferencing system delivers optimum audio performance and configuration flexibility for
medium-sized rooms requiring up to nine microphones. It features innovative microphone distribution that
delivers significant cost savings and flexibility for users.
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3 x ClearOne Mic - Unidirectional Table Top Design
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3.5 mm (M) - RCA (M) Y-Adapter
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RCA (M) - RCA (F)
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Example ClearOne Conference Room Configurations
Type 1 - Standard Conference Room With Solo Mic
Type 2 - Standard Conference Room Setup With Converge Mixer
Standard Echo Canceller Microphones
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ClearOne Chat 150 Conference Room Microphone
The effective pickup range for this microphone is 10ft or less. Please remember to update your
driver/firmware for this product. You can find those updates
here.
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Revolabs Fusion 4 Channel System (Wireless)
Designed for boardrooms and
conference rooms.
Revolabs Fusion 8 Channel System (Wireless)
The Fusion 8 is shown at left, it is recommended for
very large, or very long conference rooms. Each microphone provides
good coverage for 4 to 6 feet.
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Yamaha PJP-25UR
This product features unidirectional (arms open) and omnidirectional (arms closed) pickup.
Suitable for small conference rooms.
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Omni-Directional Microphones
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Revolabs Wireless Microphone
Recommended for trainers who need to move around a room or workstations where wiring is difficult.
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Revolabs Solo Wireless Microphone
The Revolabs Plug and Play Solutions are best suited for the Audio/Visual system that is not installed
in the room as a permanent feature. These systems are used in small and medium-sized rooms where price
and ease-of-installation are major concerns.
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Omni-Directional Shure MX393 Tabletop Microphone
The Tabletop Mic is perfect for teleconferencing applications that demand high-performance audio
quality. The small size makes these mics ideal for conference tables that require minimum-visibility
microphones.
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Shure MX393
The Microflex models from Shure are the smartest boundary microphones
to date. Equipped with features such as silent membrane switches,
logic inputs and outputs, and LED indicators, Microflex Boundary
microphones are a high-quality solution for a broad range of
applications such as boardrooms and distance learning centers.
Every Microflex Boundary microphone features a choice of interchangeable
condenser cartridges.
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Video Conferencing Accessories & Specialty Equipment
Tripods and Wall Mounts for Sony Cameras
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Wall Mount
Sony WM-30B Wall Mount
Recommended for conference rooms.
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Davis and Sanford 64" Tripod
Recommended for conference rooms. Ideal for "floor top" installations that
require tripods that can be moved.
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Velbon DF-10ml 25" Tripod
Ideal for placing camera on a table top, such as workstation users that need pan-tilt-zoom
cameras, or conference rooms that cannot use wall mounts.
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Cables & Jacks
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12' S-Video Cable
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Phone Recording Adapter/Jack
The DynaMetric Web Conference Recording adapter plugs in quickly and easily between your
handset or headset and the telephone base. The adapter is then connected to your computer's
soundcard such that all the telephone audio during your web conference will be recorded too.
Please Note: This adapter is not compatible with "Princess" or Trim-Line style phones where the
dial pad is in the handset. This product will not work on some GE phones. Please contact DynaMetric for a
list of compatible GE phone models.
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USB Audio Sound Adapter
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Generic USB Sound Card with Line-Input
Full-duplex audio for PCs that do not have a sound card or audio input.
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Amigo II USB Sound Card & Headset Adapter
The Turtle Beach Amigo II is a higher-quality USB sound
card that accepts RCA jack inputs for a microphone and
headset.
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USB Video Capture Adapter
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USB 2.0 Video Capture Device
USB video adapters accept almost any S-video input
including DVD players, handheld video cameras, etc. USB
video adapters are ideal for portable applications and
where PCI cards are not practical.
*When purchasing a USB video adapter, be sure to get
USB 2.0 or later, and check for Windows 7 compatibility.
USB 1.0 adapters do not have the transfer rate required
for real-time video conferencing applications.
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Contact us for assistance
You
can use almost any audio or video peripheral with Nefsis
software and online services, including all the equipment listed
on this page. Please contact us for
additional information or assistance configuring your
desktop or
conference room with
Nefsis.
You
can also start a free trial or
schedule a live demo to
see multipoint video using any of the cameras or equipment mentioned
on this page.
Nefsis is a registered trademark of Nefsis Corporation. Sony is a registered trademark of Sony Electronics, Inc. Logitech
and QuickCam are registered trademarks of Logitech. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.