Tag: #CONFERENCE

Tech Review – Konftel 800 & Ceiling Mount Kit

The Hybrid conference phone came in a neutral packing in terms of limited information on the packing but has the impressive Climate neutral products symbol on the packing.  This kit came with the Konftel 800 Ceiling Mount Kit allowing the kit flexibility in placements The kit is designed for Small to Large rooms while having the options for larger spaces or multipurpose rooms to be able to connect additional devices using the daisy-chain to increase audio capabilities. The 4.3-inch graphical LCD touchscreen display allowed for easy configurations and visual displays when the volume or mute options were used via colour changes on the kit. The kit has an additional, two mute key buttons located along the corners of the unit to allow any user to go on mute.

Previously at techbuzz Ireland, we reviewed The Konftel C2070 conferencing system, which came with a speakerphone, camera, and hub their Konftel Cam10 Ego bluetooth speakerphone and also the Cam10 webcam

 Features:

  •   Connectivity: USB and Bluetooth
  •   Suitable for up to 12 participants, can be expanded to 20 with expansion mics (sold separately)
  •   Supports the Konftel Unite App via Adaptor
  •   SIP Verified – ShoreTel, Swyx, Avaya, Broadsoft, Cisco, Unify
  •   Hybrid: Collaboration App and Phone call
  •   Microphone: Omnidirectional 360
  •   OmniSound with HD Audio
  •   Supports HD Audio on mobile network
  •   NFC Technology
  •   Power through PoE (Power Over Ethernet)
  •   Web-based configuration

 

Konftel 800 conference ceiling and mount kit for conference calls – techbuzzireland

Setup and use:

The Kit came with a quick user guide in terms of the setting up with outstanding diagrams to give a clear view of how to install it. The basic installation required minimal technical experience. Those of an advanced nature can refer to the web version “Installing and Administering Konftel 800” which contains  200 pages for diverse types of network installations configurations,  

The conference phone can also use Bluetooth to connect to a mobile device, or a laptop as it supports Hands-Free and A2DP Bluetooth profiles. Konftel 800 uses 10/100 Mbit Ethernet and supports PoE Class 1 and Class 2 power.

Note: This kit is a Power Over Ethernet (PoE) enabled device and would require purchasing as an optional accessory if needed which Jim has a good deal of knowledge with NTP time servers when it comes to clock systems which also uses PoE in certain configurations

App:   Konftel Unite

This allows connection via your phone for One Touch Conferencing, calling from your contact list, create your conference groups. Techbuzz tested on an android device which was a standard install.

App Store

https://itunes.apple.com/app/konftel-unite/id1093774146

Google Play

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.konftel.unite

Warranty: 2 years

Overall:

The kit came in a Climate neutral packing which is always a bonus. The design while having many awards has a few personal niggles in terms of several types of screws provided for the Ceiling Mount Kit and the network cable does not have a tray to hide the cable if placed on a boardroom table as you would see on a typical phone system.

The physical connection to the network is straightforward but may require looking towards a PoE injector for power. The Ceiling Mount Kit mechanically connects easily and can easily be removed as required. Connectivity via the app or via a laptop was standard without any issues,

As a real positive the ability to connect via a smartphone easily and quickly, is great especially if the kit is being mounted, the colour changes for the mute etc are great.  The Audio quality cannot be faulted as the test carries out walking close and further back gave exceptional audio quality.

The audio quality is a result of the three microphones in the base of Konftel 800, which support 10 users in a 30 square meters room.  The audio was excellent at blocking out noise from outside of the room testing via the Smart Microphone which had built-in cancellation of echo and background noise through OmniSound.

The additional socket via daisy chain allowed for the addition of microphones to increase the conference phone coverage to seventy square meters or daisy chain three Konftel 800 devices to cover up to 90 square meters.

The kit has a few minor niggles but is a real gem in terms environmentally friendly, easy to set up and use with the options of seriously advanced features, Voip / traditional with the option to expand the impressive audio experience for any call.

https://www.konftel.com/en/products/konftel-800

Video review

 

Konftel’s Latest Video Kit Is A Triumph For Trust Distribution

One of Konftel’s newest video conferencing systems has become an instant sales success for supply specialist Trust Distribution.

The Konftel C2070 has developed into a major tool in the distributor’s conferencing armoury, with manufacturing and education sites as well as general offices proving particularly popular.

Simon Hughes, Konftel Brand Manager at Trust, says the system combines an attractive price point with many high end features which makes it a flexible ‘Bring Your Own Meeting’ solution for many different locations.

“The Konftel C2070 ticks many boxes customers are looking for. It’s the sweet-spot of our conferencing portfolio, without any additional licences which inflates the cost of ownership from some other brands. It’s a plug and play USB solution which fits most standard size meeting rooms.”

The Konftel C2070 is designed as a perfect video package for huddle to medium meeting rooms, combining the Konftel Cam20 4K conference camera with the Konftel 70 speakerphone for OmniSound audio quality. The Konftel OCC Hub brings everything together into one convenient kit, so a single USB cable is all users need to connect the camera, the sound unit and the room’s screen to the video meeting on their laptop. 

In addition Konftel has just launched a dedicated version for in room PC-based systems, the Konftel C2070 Attach, which is part of a new product range optimised for Microsoft Teams Rooms, Zoom Rooms and other platforms.

Hughes added: “It’s not just standard offices where the system is ideally suited. The auto framing of images is proving really useful in the education sector whilst the 4k detail is great for companies wanting to see and assess products that are often in another part of the world. That could be the quality of stitching and zips in garments or nuts and bolts and garage parts. Four beamforming microphones is another impressive feature along with Bluetooth capabilities. It’s not just standard meetings where the Konftel C2070 has started to shine.”

Konftel’s entire product portfolio is Climate Neutral certified where all greenhouse gas emissions have been offset. Hughes thinks this is growing in importance.

“We all have to be aware of our environmental responsibilities and both from an ethical and commercial perspective we are seeing more end user emphasis in this area. It’s important for our resellers to be able to outline this important credential during the sales process.”

Hughes concluded: “For many reasons the Konftel C2070 has become one of our best-selling conference kits since its launch last year – backed by high levels of support from both Trust and Konftel. Its popularity will continue to grow as it doesn’t cost thousands of pounds to purchase, just hundreds.” 

Tech Review – Poly Sync 20 conference speaker

The Poly Sync 20 is slim and portable, IP64 dust and water resistant,conference speaker  with up to 20 hours of battery life  This has clear buttons on the outside and a  programmable button which can be set to a favorite function. The box is bland in terms of the brown basics with limited information on the packaging.

Battery:

  • Battery Type: Lithium-ion
  • Battery Capacity: 3200 mAH
  • Talk time: up to 20 hours
  • Charge Time: 4 hours

Controls and lights 

Setup:

The setup can be used similar to a swiss army knife with  multiple options.  This can be used as 3 options of bluetooth , dongle, or cable connection. The setup is made easier as included with a non removable  USB cable to be plugged into a USB charger to charge or connect as required. Alternative used via bluetooth to a phone or Laptop. Or via the supplied usb dongle. Each option connection to a phone or windows laptop seamlessly worked as expected.  The setup works with voice control for Siri, Google Assistant, Cortana Press 

 

Compatibility

Slight niggle:

The kit comes with a USB dongle with a pouch inside the carry case, the dongle could fall out over time and would prefer to see a zip / fastener to prevent the loss on the USB dongle. 

Audio:

When used as a Loudspeaker, for your day to day music  the  frequency  response of the Poly Sync 20 is  80 Hz to 20 kHz, the low end on the frequency spectrum between 20Hz to 80Hz is ideal for music  but lacking  on this  unit . 

To give a comparison Amazon Alexa has  a frequency range of 30Hz to 24kHz while it does not have the features on this  multi unit kit . Overall the lower frequency is only observed by an avid music fan, but not pronounced on its primary use of a conference speaker / mic kit . 

Overall

The unit is a multipurpose speaker, conference unit which as expected from the Poly brand ( Previously Plantronics) has great audio and ease of use in connection. This unit came with minimum fuss in terms of accessories , carry case, USB dongle , carry strap with a hardwired USB cable resulting in a universal kit option for hybrid use in any environment . The features in terms of MS teams approved, various  colours, red on mute , green in use or light bar to view the volume level is practical in any meeting. The kit has been used in noisy environments with industrial machinery in the background and again the background was suppressed ensuring the conversations and accents were heard no matter where sitting in the room. The portable option to fit into a Laptop bag and carrier around gave  additional convenience in the use of this speaker. This is a kit which is highly recommended in terms of ease of use,  portability , multipurpose options , from a known quality brand, hard to fault this kit. 

BUY HERE  

VIDEO LINK

 

First look – The Konftel Ego bluetooth conference speaker. #KonftelEgo #Tech

The Konftel Ego is a personal speakerphone. It’s compact and portable and fits easily in your work bag, wherever you’re going. Despite its size, the Konftel Ego delivers crystal-clear sound thanks to our unique OmniSound audio technology.The speakerphone works seamlessly with Microsoft Teams, Cisco Webex, Zoom, Avaya IX Workplace and many other collaborative tools. It connects easily to a computer via USB or to a tablet or smartphone via Bluetooth After the meeting, you can then fill the room with your favourite music. This makes this speaker more than just a conference speaker but one you can use at home or at a setting where you can dish out the sounds at a BBQ or house party.

On our first look I like the design and how compact this speaker is and it also moves away from the traditional look of similar speakers with its shape and design and also the lights on the sides and on top of the unit, any questions feel free to ask whilst we test this one out and stay tuned for a full review soon.

BUY HERE

 

Review – The Anker Portable Conference speakerphone. #Anker #Tech #Conference

Bluetooth speakers come in all sort of configurations which is great for choice but one with built in capabilties for conference calls is something different with a smaller variety on offer. Anker have such a solution which comes in a well built and designed product via the portable conference speakerphone. The name is in the product being portable this can be used anywhere and is portable and not a fixed solution we tend to see on many offices today this can be brought anywhere with you in your tech pack and it is smaller but delivers on its output with sound.

Instant set up.. If on the go or at home this can be set up super fast with bluetooth and no drivers os required of connected to a pc via USB which is great On my testing I used on PC and mobile and the bluetooth connection is just great with no lag or disconnecting issues thanks to bluetooth 5.0 while we are in a state of lockdown here it has been a valuable kit here in the house to use doing my daily duties and keeps the phone out of my hand keeping me free to use both hands for typing and working which is a bonus.

The call quality is excellent and can be heard in a large room easily with its 360 degree coverage and the 6 mics makes this an ideal kit for small office type or meetings and today especially ideal for teams of small groups of 6-8 for example or more makes it the perfect kit do get work done in a closed environment or even outdoors..

The build quality is excellent too and the simple controls on board which does not complicate things. Up top we have a navi pad area that has an status LED ring around it that controls your calls,volume etc and you also have a mute feature you can also use some fucntions to control music if you use it for this too which is possibleand why not, another bonus is you can charge your mobile phone form the device. The best thing is this is compatible with all conference services like zoom..

There is a power on/off key on the front and a bluetooth connection button which keeps the design minimal but offers maximum features via the navi pad up top of the device. The housing of the unit is also has a premium look and will blend in anywhere at home of the office or even and outside environment.

Is this a product to reccomend? Well yes especially today in the current crisis and the fact it is portable with a 24hr battery life it is easy to do so and is not expensive either and ideal for anyone really and can be used for a personal speaker to and you can charge your device so it offers several features that are beneficial to it users, See below in the video how it works and sounds.

Features

  • Omni-Directional Voice Pickup: 6 microphones arranged in a 360° array pick up voices up anywhere in rooms for up to 8 people.
  • Smart Voice Enhancement: A custom DSP algorithm offers real-time echo cancellation up to 70 dB, de-reverberation, and reduces background noise by 20db to ensure your voice is picked-up without distracting noises.
  • Optimized Clarity and Volume: PowerConf Bluetooth speakerphone automatically balances the sound of your voice to make up for differences in volume and distance from the speakerphone.
  • Instant Setup and Universal Compatibility: Connect to your phone via Bluetooth or to your computer with a USB-C cable with no need to install drivers. PowerConf Bluetooth speakerphone is compatible with all popular online conferencing services.
  • 24 Hours of Call Time: PowerConf Bluetooth speakerphone has a built-in 6,700mAh battery to power days of calls. Integrated Anker PowerIQ technology allows you to charge other devices via PowerConf at optimized speeds.

BUY HERE