Introduction
AVCC run a Quality Assurance program which is designed to help improve the quality of video conferencing across New Zealand. Endpoints which pass our quality assurance program are considered to provide an excellent video conference experince to both their local users, as well as any farsites involved in meetings with them.
The pupose of this page is to help you ensure you endpoint will pass our Quality Assurance test. Follow these step below to get started.
1. Schedule a QA Test
To apply to have your endpoint quality assured, just send us an email via our Helpdesk or contact us on 0800 666 889. One of the AVCC Team here will arrange a time convenient with you to schedule in the QA Test.
2. Download QA Form
You can download the test form which shows our exact criteria for passing or failing an endpoint below:
AVCC Quality Assurance Form
3. The Test
The AVCC Quality Assurance test has two major components, Hardware and Room. The Hardware portion of the test involves assessing the performance of the endpoint's camera and microphone, as well as checking firewalls and networks are set up correctly. The Room portion of the test involves assessing the acoustics created by the room, and the lighting and interior.
Endpoints can pass or fail each component independently of the other, and in the case of a fail, AVCC will offer to retest when a suitable time can be arranged, while helping to bring the endpoint up to standard.
4. Hardware
Audio
- Ensure your microphone is not obstructed by paper, clothing, or anything else which may prevent clear audio transmission.
- Keep your microphone away from electric or magnetic devices such as cell phones, air conditioning vents, and speakers.
Video
- Ensure you camera lens is free from dirt, fingerprints, or anything else which may degrade image quality. For cleaning, refer to your endpoint's manual.
Networking and Presentation Sharing
- If you are having any problems sending or receiving video, audio, or presentations ask the person responsible for administering your firewall to check the settings are appropriate for the endpoint. If they require more information about what these settings should be, have them contact us via our helpdesk.
5. Room
Audio
- There are many things you can do to reduce reverberation of voices in a video conferencing room, the key idea to is avoid rooms which have large bare walls, and to ensure you have soft objects which dampen sound such as curtains, padded walls etc. Other options include sound dampening paints and ceiling panels.
Visual
- Ensure your camera is well positioned so that a farsite will get a few of you, as close to eye level as possible. You can find more information about this on the Etiquette page.
- Avoid complex backgrounds
- Make sure any windows in the room have a way of controlling the light coming in from them. Examples are blinds or curtains.
- Set up lighting so that participants faces are illuminated, and not in shadows. Avoid only having lighting that projects down.
