With new meeting room technology comes new meeting room audiovisual issues. In case you are having problems, here is a look at some of the most common issues with conference room AV, along with some AV solutions for conference rooms.
1. Low Volume
You're speaking to a room full of your coworkers, but no one seems able to understand. They're craning their necks and looking at each other in confusion. Afterward, your colleagues admit that they couldn't hear a word you said. Not only is this situation frustrating, but it also wastes time and energy as you spend the rest of the meeting repeating information.
Solution: If no one can seem to hear you while you are presenting, your microphone might not be picking up your voice, or your speakers may not be projecting it to your audience. As you're setting up for a speech or conference call, check to make sure all microphones are working and volume controls are set at appropriate levels before the conference. Have someone call in beforehand to test the line.
2. Delays
An unintended delay between the time you say something and the time your audience hears it makes it significantly harder to focus on what you're saying. Wireless AV solutions such as those connected via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth are particularly prone to delays since they aren't fixed-wire systems. Your voice may be delayed or distorted due to a bad signal between the transmitting device and the receiver.
Solution: If you notice a delay, you might need to simply adjust your audio system's settings to make the delay briefer. Use an AV integrator to establish settings on the front end of your equipment, and test it beforehand.
3. Feedback
A feedback issue can add both unnecessary extra time and stress to a simple meeting, as clicking or whining sounds coming through the speakers can be annoying or even outright painful. The noise can cause you and your coworkers to cover your ears and make you forget what you were saying.
Solution: Fortunately, feedback problems are typically an easy fix. Most issues are caused either by two microphones being too close together or a mic being too close to a presenter. Make sure your microphone is a sufficient distance from the speaker and that only one mic is in use in the vicinity at one time.
4. Echoes
If your voice reverberates back to you as you talk, it can distract both you and your listeners and cause them to miss essential information being presented. While still understandable, your voice might sound far away as it bounces back multiple times from different corners of the room.
Solution: Two or more microphones placed close together or close to the speaker could result in an echo. Use an AV integrator to test all mics before your meeting, and keep only one microphone turned on at a time throughout the conference.
5. Projector Failure
If you rely heavily on presentation software to visually represent your topic, a projector failure could result in you losing a large portion of your presentation. Visuals help your audience envision your words and bring together the big picture of your message, which is why it pays to be proactive and check projectors before your meeting.
Solution: Old or blown-out bulbs are a typical source of projector failure. Ask your AV team when they last replaced the bulb, and change out an old bulb before an important meeting. You might also consider using running spares, which are two stacked projectors showing the same image in perfect alignment. If one projector fails during your presentation, the image will fade but won't leave entirely.
6. Blurry Visuals
Perhaps your projector hasn't given out completely, but the lens is out of focus. Your whole presentation is slightly blurry, and the lens refuses to show a clear picture no matter how much you focus it. Blurry presentations can leave your coworkers with a headache, and some may not be able to read your text at all.
Solution: If the projector's automatic lens focusing capabilities aren't doing the job, it may be because the projector is inadequately placed in the room. Unclear visuals are often the result of the projector being too far away from or too close to the screen. Test your visual presentation before the meeting, and try placing the projector at different distances from the screen if you can't get the lens to focus.
7. Video Won't Play
There's nothing worse than trying to show your colleagues an important video with no success. Maybe it won't load at all, or perhaps it lags and freezes every few seconds. Videos that rely on an internet connection are often subject to these hiccups, which is why preparation is critical when giving a video presentation.
Solution: Internet lag can slow down videos or make them impossible to play. Your video should be local to your computer and played using dedicated playback software, and you should test it before the meeting to ensure proper playback.
Contact Intellicom for Help With Your AV System
AV issues can be frustrating at best and seriously impede your organization's productivity at worst. If your AV system is giving you problems, it might be time to set up a new and improved system that will meet your business' needs with Intellicom.
Introduce cutting-edge technology into the workplace and enjoy crisp audio, stunning visuals and simple connectivity that will bring new life to your meeting room. We're here to help you choose the best AV solutions that will make your next meeting your best one yet.
For help with audiovisual issues or to set up a brand-new, high-tech AV system in Research Triangle Park or throughout North Carolina, contact Intellicom. With more than 25 years of experience, we've helped many North Carolina businesses transform their conference rooms into a place of productivity and education.