The modern workplace is increasingly hybrid, blending in-office and remote workstyles. While offering flexibility, this model presents unique challenges, particularly for meetings. How do you ensure remote participants feel as included and engaged as those physically present? 

Traditional front-of-room webcams often fall short, creating a 'them and us' dynamic. However, it’s time to enter the transformative power of 360° video coverage, a technology specifically designed to make hybrid collaboration truly seamless and inclusive.  

The limitations of traditional video in hybrid settings

Standard meeting room setups typically involve a single webcam positioned at one end of the table, usually near the main display. This setup inherently creates limitations:

• Tunnel vision: Remote attendees only see a fixed perspective, often missing crucial non-verbal cues, side conversations, or reactions from participants outside the camera's direct line of sight.   
• Disengagement: Feeling like a passive observer rather than an active participant can lead to disengagement and reduced contribution from remote team members.
• Lack of context: Without seeing the whole room, remote participants lack the full context of the meeting dynamics – who is speaking to whom, the overall room energy, and spontaneous interactions.

The 360° advantage

360° video coverage fundamentally changes the hybrid meeting experience. Devices equipped with 360° lenses, placed centrally in the room (typically on the meeting table), capture a panoramic view of everyone present. This seemingly simple shift unlocks significant benefits:   

• Enhanced inclusivity: By providing a complete view of the room, 360° video ensures remote participants can see everyone, making them feel more connected and part of the conversation, not just distant observers.   
• Improved engagement: Seeing colleagues' reactions, gestures, and interactions fosters a stronger sense of presence and encourages more active participation from those joining remotely. They can better gauge the room's atmosphere and contribute more effectively.
• Natural conversation flow: Advanced 360° devices use intelligent software to automatically focus on the active speaker, smoothly panning and zooming to highlight who is talking. This mimics the natural ebb and flow of an in-person conversation.

Leading the charge in intelligent 360° video

Owl Labs has become synonymous with intelligent 360° meeting technology. Our Meeting Owl devices are specifically designed to address the pain points of hybrid collaboration.

Meeting Owl 3: This flagship device combines a 360° camera, microphone array, and speaker into one easy-to-use unit. Its Owl Intelligence System® automatically focuses on whoever is speaking, providing a dynamic and engaging view for remote participants. 

The 360° panoramic strip displayed at the top of the video feed ensures remote attendees always have context of the entire room, even while the main view highlights the active speaker. The robust video pickup and audio capabilities ensure clear visuals and sound from around the table.   

Meeting Owl 4+: Building on the success of its predecessor, the Meeting Owl 4+ offers significant upgrades. It boasts improved 4K video resolution for sharper, clearer visuals, essential for discerning facial expressions and details across the room. Its enhanced Owl Intelligence System® offers faster, smoother speaker tracking and improved noise suppression. The extended microphone pickup range and optional Expansion Mic compatibility make it suitable for larger meeting spaces, ensuring everyone is seen and heard clearly.   

Optimizing your 360° setup

To get the most out of your 360° Meeting Owl, it’s important to consider the following tips:

• Placement: Position the device in the center of the table, ensuring an unobstructed view of all participants. Aim for at least 3 feet (1m) distance from screens or walls to avoid echo and allow optimal video pickup.
• Lighting: Ensure the room is well-lit. Avoid strong backlighting (e.g., placing the Owl directly in front of a bright window), which can silhouette participants.
• Acoustics: Rooms with excessive echo or background noise can challenge audio pickup. Consider acoustic panels or rugs if needed. Owl devices have built-in noise suppression, but minimizing ambient noise helps.
• Connectivity: Use the supplied USB cable and ensure a stable connection to the meeting room computer. Ensure your internet connection (both in-room and remote) is robust enough for high-quality video streaming, especially 4K.   
• Software Updates: Keep the device firmware and your meeting platform software (Zoom, Teams, Meet, etc.) updated for the latest features and compatibility improvements.

Troubleshooting common issues

If you run into trouble after optimizing your  360° setup, you can try these troubleshooting steps: 

• Choppy video: Check internet bandwidth, try a different USB port, or reduce video resolution settings in your meeting platform if necessary.
• Poor audio: Ensure the microphones aren't obstructed. Check audio settings in your meeting software. Consider an Expansion Mic for larger rooms (with compatible models like the Owl 4+).

A more equitable hybrid future

360° video coverage, especially when powered by intelligent devices like the Meeting Owl 3 and Meeting Owl 4+, is more than just a technological novelty; it's a crucial tool for fostering genuine collaboration in hybrid environments. By providing full room visibility, enhancing presence, and leveraging features like 4K video resolution and intelligent speaker tracking, this technology breaks down the barriers between remote and in-office participants. It creates a more equitable, engaging, and ultimately more productive meeting experience for everyone, paving the way for a truly successful hybrid future.