Category Archives: Lecture Recording

Why Combining Best in Class Components Is Better than Using All-In-One Conferencing Products, Especially in Classrooms

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There are quite a few all-in-one conferencing products on the market now. Their appeal is apparently If one based on the fact that they are easy to set up. Most combine an array mic, camera and speakers, while others add a built-in computer to provide connection to Zoom, Teams, etc. (rather than connect via a laptop).

The most important task of a conferencing system is providing good sound quality and pickup range.

Most of these all-in-ones have limited microphone pickup range and are useful only in small rooms. Adding auxiliary microphones can be difficult.

There are a few all-in-ones now that have better array microphones and can pick up from 30 feet. But they are relatively expensive.

If you choose to combine best in class components, you can use the Voice Tracker III auto-scanning array microphone, which also picks up from 30 feet, but which costs less than $500.

Video performance is equally important. There is constant improvement in camera technology, most notably the auto tracking cameras. For example, take a look at the 1 Beyond camera offered by Crestron. These cameras automatically focus on and zoom into the active speaker (much like auto-scanning array microphones). This makes the meeting more comfortable for the far end participant.

With all-in-one products, the camera is usually in the front of the room, limiting views of anyone presenting at the whiteboard (and the writing on the whiteboard itself). Auto tracking cameras can be placed separately from the microphone/camera/speaker, perhaps in the rear, to show (and zoom into) the whiteboard.

Clearly, loudspeakers that are larger than those in all-in-ones perform better.

The advantages of combining best in class components is especially strong for hybrid classroom applications.

Classrooms/lecture halls are usually larger, and benefit greatly from combining several microphones and cameras for better coverage.

Additional Voice Tracker array microphones can be placed on sidewalls, the backwall or ceiling to improve the pickup of questions from the class as well as the professor as he moves around. It’s easy to combine their audio with a simple mixer. It’s cost effective when several inexpensive (but high performance) microphones are involved.

Ditto for loudspeakers.

Combining several Auto Tracking cameras also has great advantages in classrooms.

One can zoom into the student asking questions while another tracks the teacher or whiteboard. The images can be shown on split screen.

Reliability is also a factor. Squeezing microphone/camera/speakers into one small box can create reliability issues. Camera, microphone, and speaker companies can optimize for reliability. For example, the failure rate of the Voice Tracker array mics have been less than 1% over the last 20 years.

Finally, there is the question of set up convenience. All-in-ones will undoubtedly be easier to set up. But combining components isn’t that hard. The Voice Tracker simply connects to a computer sound card through a 3.5mm audio jack. Or it can bypass the soundcard with a USB adapter. It can be connected to Mixers and DSP through XLR adapters. There are no controls on the Voice Tracker, its processes are all automatic.

Auto Tracking cameras have limited controls.

Finally, combining components adds flexibility. Components can be rearranged, or added as new technology arrives, and existing speakers etc. can be used.

Lecture Recording Microphone: Key Equipment For Distance Learning

Many people these days are interested in furthering their education as a way to qualify for the next step on their career ladder or to make a complete career change. Distance learning or online learning has become very popular, and schools use a variety of mediums including teleconferencing to provide course information to students.

Leading Technology In Our High Quality Lecture Recording Microphone

With our scanning unidirectional technology, only a single conferencing microphone is needed, as compared to several microphones that are normally needed for a large room. This enables high quality, complete room coverage more easily and efficiently.

By using a high quality lecture recording microphone like the Voice Tracker to make recordings, universities and schools are able to allow their online listeners to feel as though they are right in the classroom and don’t miss a single word of what is being said by the instructor as well as questions asked by students throughout the room. Our technology effectively eliminates background noise and echo.

Why Students Choose Distance Learning

There are a number of reasons why distance learning (audio and video conferencing) appeals to modern learners, including:

  • They do not have to live in close proximity to the school of their choice. Distance learning opens up more educational options for modern learners.
  • Distance learners have the flexibility to take classes at any time of day or night that suits their schedule. They are not limited to times that classes are being offered on campus.
  • Online programs can often be completed on a part-time basis, which allows adult learners to upgrade their education without having to take time away from work or family responsibilities.
  • The course material that online students complete is identical to what students work on in an on-campus program in many cases. They can receive an identical level of education without having to set foot on campus.
  • The diploma, degree or certificate issued once the work has been completed is identical to one obtained by a student who attended classes on campus.

Voice Tracker Array Microphones Effectively Record Lectures For Online Students

Online students need the freedom to log into their course website and access materials at a time that they find convenient. Classroom microphones must be powerful enough to pick up the instructor’s speech clearly so that every word can be conveyed clearly to these distance learners.

Acoustic Magic’s Voice Tracker array microphone provides high-quality sound for classroom recordings. It can be used with both conventional and VoIP conferencing systems.

If the off-site student participates in the class through a loudspeaker in the classroom, acoustic echo cancellation (AEC) becomes an important requirement. Acoustic echo occurs when the voice of the far end students from the loudspeakers in the classroom is picked up by the open microphone in the classroom and sent back to the far end students as an echo.

If the Voice Tracker array microphone is connected to a conventional conferencing system that has its own AEC, the Voice Tracker I can be used. If it is connected to a VoIP conferencing system that does not have a robust AEC, the Voice Tracker II should be used because it has a built-in AEC.

The sound quality is clear and reliable, and students will be able to follow the material being presented with ease.

When the quality of distance learning depends on the microphone used to record lectures, there is no better choice than the Voice Tracker!

Call us now to find out more about the Voice Tracker and other recording solutions to help you communicate more clearly with others who are at a distance!