7 products to improve video calling

The health emergency, and the consequent forced quarantine, requires students and workers to remain at home for an undefined period. Currently, one of the few tools that allows you to break down the home is undoubtedly the video call, available thanks to many online services and on all devices through dedicated applications. It is precisely a means of vital importance in this particular historical period and, thanks to its versatility of use, more and more people are using this tool, at work or simply to chat.

Video calls, without dedicated equipment, they can create various problems, of an audio and video nature. Investing in some tools is the solution to any problem and can improve the experience. In this article, in fact, you will find a series of products that can do for you, chosen and tested by our editors.

Before moving on to the list of solutions, we point out that we have deliberately chosen Amazon as a reference point. Italy. Not surprisingly, the well-known e-commerce store represents a guarantee as regards reliability in shipments and in the availability of instruments.

Editor's note: given the recent events related to our territory, the aforementioned article has been updated to 08/12/2020!

Products to improve the quality of video calls

Logitech C920 HD Pro Webcam AUKEY Webcam FHD Logitech Brio Stream Webcam Soundcore Life P2 Razer Seirēn X Samson METEOR MIC AVM FRITZ Box 4040 AC 1300 TP- Link TL-WPA4220 WiFi Powerline Kit (300 Mbps) TP-Link TL-WPA7510 WiFi Powerline Kit (750 Mbps) LED Desk Lamp from TEQStone Ikea Forsa - Work Lamp Credit: Pixabay

A high quality webcam

Most laptops do not have a webcam that guarantees high image quality, and this particular problem is reflected during video calls with all kinds of blur. As a solution, we strongly recommend that you purchase dedicated hardware. Among the many alternatives on the market, the Logitech C920 HD Pro is a good starting point to improve the quality of video calls.

The price of this webcam is fluctuating (in this historical period it is around 90 euros ). If you are interested in a less expensive product, we recommend a solution from Aukey at the retail price of 39.99 euros. Instead, for the most demanding, the Logitech Brio Stream Webcam for 4K Ultra HD video is available at 210 euros.

»Click here to buy Logitech C920 HD Pro Webcam

» Click here for buy AUKEY Webcam FHD

»Click here to buy Logitech Brio Stream Webcam

A quality microphone or headset with active noise cancellation

In addition to possible interference in the image, background noises are among the disturbing agents of a video call. To overcome this obstacle, there are some headphones that have a feature that actively cancels the surrounding noise. It might seem like an unnecessary solution, but during video calls the absence of background noise is a very important aspect.

Therefore, we strongly recommend the purchase of a true-wireless headset. We have selected a pair of headphones equipped with the function called “ANC” (active-noise cancellation) called Huawei Freebuds 3i. It is an in-ear headset with an ergonomic and trapezoidal shape, which offers a dual microphone system that eliminates surrounding noise to facilitate the playback of songs or multimedia content. In addition to two good drivers, these headphones have a waterproof certification.

»Click here to buy Huawei FreeBuds 3i

Sometimes the headphones are really uncomfortable for some, and therefore we recommend the purchase of a dedicated microphone, to be connected to your PC through a USB port. There are several hundred alternatives on the market, however we advise you to proceed with the purchase of the Razer Seirēn X (expensive, but very performing) or Samson METEOR MIC (cheap, but it represents a very valid component)!

»Click here to buy Razer Seirēn X

»Click here to buy Samson METEOR MIC

A router that improves your home connection

The speed of the infrastructure is slowly improving throughout Italy , despite some areas still lacking broadband. However, many Italians do not have a router that guarantees high performance, especially with regard to Wi-Fi. The domestic walls, combined with a device that is not particularly performing, risk compromising the quality of video calls.

Among the many alternatives on the market, we recommend a router manufactured by Fritz, in particular the 4040 AC 1300 model. Yes it is a device that has excellent features, such as a Wireless AC + N antenna up to 1300 Mbit / s with Band Steering, and the ability to connect to any modem (ADSL, Fiber and WLL). The price is 76.63 euros.

»Click here to buy AVM FRITZ Box 4040 AC 1300

If your home extends over several floors, you can increase the range of the Wireless antenna through a Powerline Wi-Fi, a device that transforms the electrical circuit into a high-speed network. In this case, we offer two alternatives: the first allows you to reach the speed of 300 Mbps, while the second guarantees a maximum speed of 750 Mbps.

»Click here to buy TP-Link TL-WPA4220 Powerline Kit WiFi (300 Mbps)

»Click here to buy TP-Link TL-WPA7510 Powerline WiFi Kit (750 Mbps)

Accessories not to be underestimated and other tips

We are arrived at the final stages of this guide, and in this last chapter we want to recommend some accessories and above all some advice to improve video calls. What's the best way to position the camera? This is a fair question, but not everyone knows the tricks of the trade. First of all, you need to position the webcam slightly above your eyes, which will certainly allow the camera to frame your face well.

Another key aspect for a better video call is undoubtedly the lighting. If your room is not particularly bright, you can buy a desk lamp. Currently on the market there are many valid alternatives in this regard, but the best to buy in this particular historical period is a lamp produced by TEQStone, available for about 40 euros on Amazon Italy. If you are directed to a more famous manufacturer, we advise you to get the IKEA Forså!

»Click here to buy LED Desk Lamp from TEQStone

» Click here to buy Ikea Forsa - Work Lamp