Video conferencing software (and hardware) , for 1 to 1 vid chats

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1101

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#255916 6-Sep-2019 10:14

Hi.
I'm after recommendations for video chat/confernecing software , for baseness use, so doesnt have to be free

At the moment they are using Facetime via their phones .
They want something like a webcam & suitable software so they this can be done via their PC (or laptop)

Also, what hardware would you recommend, for 1 to 1 chat, or for video conferencing with more more than one person at their end of the call.

They dont want to use skype
I'm going to look at Vidyo & Zoom . Any other rtecommendations would be appreciated
The video chat would need to work via an emailed link, because the person at the other end wont have the software installed , and would also need to
work on ph's tablets and laptops , and be really simple for non techy types at the other end .

I was thinking webcam + optional headset for 1 to one chat, more substantial hardware for vid conferencing ( stand alone hardware setup in a small room )

Cheers

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#2311634 6-Sep-2019 10:38

For 1:1 chats you could pretty much use any video chat!

If you want a bit more than that such as screen sharing and multiple attendees we use MS Teams. That integrates with Office 365 (which we also use) pretty well. Its free and I think does not require a O365 subscription. Does a pretty good job with presentations etc. Can have external people and does not require you to use a client, can use the web, though the client gives a better experience. I actually like it - sound and video quality seems really good.

Have also used Google Hangouts which is also good and provides similar functionality to the above. However; Google have changed the rules around it so I'm not sure if its still the same. And then they clouded the issues with Duo etc.

Zoom is OK. The free tier is horribly crippled to a maximum of 40 minute meetings. Weirdly the company I am at has "bought" into it (we're a cheap company so are on the free tier) even though we use Teams. I cant see any benefit to it - especially given the time restrictions on the free tier. I think its a pet project for someone here. The hardware we've bought for it is good. Although you can get the same hardware to work with other products (such as Teams in our case). But I'll get off my soapbox on that! ;-)

wazzageek

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#2311850 6-Sep-2019 16:17

https://whereby.com/ (used to be appear.in)

Works straight in the browser, no software installation required.

For 1:1 the free tier will work well. Note that the design is multiple people can join in. To lock the chat (so no one else can join) required a paid tier (last time I checked).

Cheers,
Warren.

Handle9

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#2311914 6-Sep-2019 17:33

nzkc:
For 1:1 chats you could pretty much use any video chat!

If you want a bit more than that such as screen sharing and multiple attendees we use MS Teams. That integrates with Office 365 (which we also use) pretty well. Its free and I think does not require a O365 subscription. Does a pretty good job with presentations etc. Can have external people and does not require you to use a client, can use the web, though the client gives a better experience. I actually like it - sound and video quality seems really good.

Have also used Google Hangouts which is also good and provides similar functionality to the above. However; Google have changed the rules around it so I'm not sure if its still the same. And then they clouded the issues with Duo etc.

Zoom is OK. The free tier is horribly crippled to a maximum of 40 minute meetings. Weirdly the company I am at has "bought" into it (we're a cheap company so are on the free tier) even though we use Teams. I cant see any benefit to it - especially given the time restrictions on the free tier. I think its a pet project for someone here. The hardware we've bought for it is good. Although you can get the same hardware to work with other products (such as Teams in our case). But I'll get off my soapbox on that! ;-)

Teams is pretty much the industry standard for telco/video conferencing. We use Unify Circuit at work which has better sound quality and runs direct in a browser. It’s a decent product but Teams is much better for external as almost everyone has it.

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#2311915 6-Sep-2019 17:42

Teams

Senecio

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#2311919 6-Sep-2019 18:19

We use BlueJeans at our workplace. The Dolby voice devices are bees knees.

https://www.bluejeans.com

1101

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#2313680 9-Sep-2019 16:04

Im trying some of them out.

The no.1 priority is to be 100% simple at the other (customer/client) end.
The company's side , I can set that up on PC's/Phones permanently.

At the client/customers end : it has to be as simple as possible. It will be a one off vid call. Sometimes on a laptop, sometimes on a phone.
Having to get the ~client~ to install & then configure a Android/IOS app will be a deal killer. At the other end, I can see that person getting confused & flustered if they need to install an
app for a 1 off Vid call .

Ideally, an email link will be sent to the client/customer , click on the link & bid chat opens up in a browser.
Not simply point to a Android app download as with the software Ive tried so far.
Asking too much ?

Otherwise, what android/IOS apps would be more commonly allready installed on phones ?
Skype has been ruled out allready, I dont know why , Im just doing as requested . :-)

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#2325889 27-Sep-2019 12:19

Hi there!

My name is Sammy and I support Zoom as a product specialist. I'd love to jump on a Zoom call with you and help you out :)

If you'd like to give Zoom a go I can also set you up with a trial as well, quick training session and some ongoing support.

I work for Connect NZ, 40 year old AV company so can help you out with hardware packages as well.

Happy to help!

Thanks :)

Sammy

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#2326129 27-Sep-2019 17:03

SammySunshine:

Hi there!

My name is Sammy and I support Zoom as a product specialist. I'd love to jump on a Zoom call with you and help you out :)

Hi. I tried zoom and like it. Its easy to setup on phones.

The issue i have, I can setup up things at my end, PC's phones etc.
The person at the other end, needs to be tech savvy to download install & setup the client on their phone or laptop.

Thats going to be the big issue , especially for a 1 off vid call to someone no tech savvy. To be honest, its a deal killer .

SammySunshine

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#2326146 27-Sep-2019 17:55

The process is reasonably automated, but fair enough. I work with a variety of 'abilities' every day. You can join from browser if you want (you can generate a 'Join from browser 'link in your invite) or they can dial in by phone

Still love to chat :)

Let me know

Thanks

Dynamic

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#2326178 27-Sep-2019 20:45

1101:

Hi. I tried zoom and like it. Its easy to setup on phones.

The issue i have, I can setup up things at my end, PC's phones etc.
The person at the other end, needs to be tech savvy to download install & setup the client on their phone or laptop.

Thats going to be the big issue , especially for a 1 off vid call to someone no tech savvy. To be honest, its a deal killer .

I'm not a Zoom user, but my semi-technophobe wife managed to get herself into a couple of Zoom meetings for a sports club without any issues.

“Don't believe anything you read on the net. Except this. Well, including this, I suppose.” Douglas Adams

gehenna

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#2326303 28-Sep-2019 11:59

Zoom's fine and all, but yanno.. https://www.theverge.com/2019/7/8/20687014/zoom-security-flaw-video-conference-websites-hijack-mac-cameras

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#2327107 30-Sep-2019 13:48

With iOS at least, you're basically going to need an app installed for all of these services, unless you use FaceTime.

With Teams at least it's pretty easy. Install the app and then tap the link for the meeting in the email invite and it opens in the app and connects to the call.

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1101

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#2327114 30-Sep-2019 14:12

Obraik:

With iOS at least, you're basically going to need an app installed for all of these services, unless you use FaceTime.

With Teams at least it's pretty easy. Install the app and then tap the link for the meeting in the email invite and it opens in the app and connects to the call.

Yes, but I needed something for 1 off video calls .

The person at the other end of the call: isnt part of the company, isnt part of the companies teams , and wont have teams installed
The person at the other end will quite often not be tech savvy and could get stuck when forced to install an app then remove it afterwards .

I also dont want a Android app that wants to rummage through the persons contacts and folders , for the sake of a one off vid call.

gehenna

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#2327145 30-Sep-2019 15:22

Teams has a web client. If you send them an invite via email for a one-off, they click the link and the browser connects you.

Obraik

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#2327148 30-Sep-2019 15:25

gehenna:

Teams has a web client. If you send them an invite via email for a one-off, they click the link and the browser connects you.

Have you tested that on iOS or Android? Last time I tried it, the web client wouldn't work in Safari on iOS and instead pushed the app.

Works great on a desktop browser, tho.

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