Internet Connection
The first step is to ensure that your internet connection is strong. Poor connections will cause poor video and audio quality such as dropped frames (leading to audio sync issues), gaps in audio and video, and blurriness.
- Check your internet speed. Search on Google "check my internet speed" and you will see a button to run a speed test. You want the speed to be at least 5 mpbs up and down. If your speed is slower than this, check with your internet service provider.
- Optimally, connect to the internet via a wired connection to your router. This will always be more reliable than a wifi connection. If you cannot create a wired connection, ensure that the wifi router is near your computer, and not in another room of your location.
Optimize your video and audio setup
- Close all other applications. Having a lot of other applications open can interfere with your computer's processing speeds.
- Use a high-quality webcam instead of the built-in laptop option . Your video camera should have a minimum resolution of 1080p. Some recommended options: Logitech C920, Logitech Brio, Logitech StreamCam.
- Use a good-quality headset or microphone. Headsets will minimize background noise and provide better quality sound for your voice. If you prefer to not be pictured with a headset, opt for a good directional microphone that can be connected via USB.
- Try to find a quiet space, shut windows and doors to minimize outside noises. If you're using a microphone, the best sound quality will be in a room that has rugs. Bare floors will create an echo.
- Check your video settings in zoom: Sufficient resolution for videos is full HD at 1920x1080 - to achieve this, turn on (check) Enable HD. Make sure "original ratio" is turned off (unchecked). Check "Touch up my appearance" if you'd like that option.
- Set your zoom application to full-screen mode.
- Record to your computer rather than the cloud.
Framing, background, and lighting
- Position your video camera so that it is parallel to your face, at or just slightly above eye level. Raise or lower your seat and/or camera to achieve this. You want to avoid the appearance that you are looking down at your camera or up at it, and any vertical lines that appear behind you (wall corners, doors, bookcases) should appear parallel.
- Sit far enough from your camera to center yourself in the frame with a little room above your head. The bottom of the frame should hit at about chest level.
- Check your background.
- You should not be seated with your back too close to the wall behind you.
- Remove anything that looks too cluttered and could be too distracting.
- Avoid having furniture in the shot, such as beds, dressers, etc.
- Make sure there are no objects behind you that are reflecting other objects or people in the room (such as mirrors, windows, or picture frames).
- Adjust your lighting. Your light source should be coming from just above and behind your computer and camera onto your face, not too far off to the side, and never from behind you. Light coming from behind you will cause you to appear dark and obscured.
- If you wear glasses, be aware of reflections. Adjust your lighting a bit higher to avoid reflections and turn the brightness of your computer monitor down as much as you can.
Other tips
- When speaking, look directly into your camera and not at your screen.
- Run tests beforehand to troubleshoot any unforeseen issues.
- Wear solid-colored clothing in bright jewel tones that read better on camera (emerald, sapphire, ruby).
- Be sure to sit up straight. If standing, avoid moving around.
- Do not use a virtual background.