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Video Call Setup Checklist
Most video call problems come from four things: where the camera sits, where the light comes from, how the room sounds and how steady the connection is. Run through this list once, fix what you can, and keep it by the desk for important calls.
Camera
- The camera sits at eye level, not below your chin
- You are about an arm's length from the camera, framed from mid-chest up
- There is a little space above your head in the frame
- The lens is clean (wipe it with a soft cloth)
- The background is tidy, or a plain wall sits behind you
Light
- Your main light is in front of you, not behind you
- A window behind you is covered or you have turned to face it
- Overhead light is softened by a lamp in front of you
- Your face is evenly lit, with no strong shadow on one side
- Screen brightness is not the brightest light on your face
Sound
- You use a headset or earbuds with a mic, or a desk mic close to you
- Speakers are not playing into your mic (no echo for others)
- Soft things (rug, curtains, books) are in the room to cut echo
- Fans, heaters and noisy devices are off or moved away
- You know where the mute button is and use it when not speaking
Connection
- Your computer is on a cable, or close to the router
- Large downloads, backups and streaming are paused during calls
- Unused apps and browser tabs are closed
- You have done a test call and checked how you look and sound
Five minutes before the call
- Agenda or notes are open in one window
- Phone is on silent and face down
- Water is within reach
- Household knows you are on a call (door closed or sign up)