Let’s face it, video conferencing equipment can be confusing when you’re trying to get all the cameras, microphones, speakers and cables to connect. Will it be compatible? Does this work with that? It is easy to use?
Video bars are an increasingly popular solution for simple, professional video conferencing. However, there is often been a limit to how big of a room you can use a video bar in; often the microphones don’t quite have the reach and the camera doesn’t provide enough detail.
That is, until now: with the brand-new Poly Studio X70 video bar.
Designed for large rooms, Studio X70 gives you the convenience of an all-in-one, plug-and-play video bar with advanced audio performance and dual 4K Ultra HD cameras.
Studio X70 is available in two set-ups:
The Review: Poly Studio X70 Video Bar
Poly Studio X70 is a class-leading video bar that integrates dual cameras, specially tuned stereo speakers, powerful microphones backed up by advanced audio enhancements and video conferencing codec in a simple to use the device. One video bar for everything.
DUal 4K Ultra HD Cameras
Studio X70 has two built-in 4K Ultra HD cameras, which each have 20 MP sensors. This elite kind of detail is especially important in large rooms, where there are more people who might be farther away.
The two cameras have different lenses: wide and narrow. The wide-angle lens has a 120° horizontal field of view, making it ideal for situations where people are sitting closer to the video bar. The narrow-angle lens has a 70° horizontal field of view, giving it extra reach when people aren’t as close.
If you require even more coverage, you can connect additional cameras via USB. When you’re not using it, the motorised electronic privacy shutter protects your security.
Poly DirectorAI
The video comes with Poly DirectorAI technology.
DirectorAI enables extremely accurate automatic speaker tracking, which means the camera frames the active speaker when they start talking. It also enables group framing, which means the camera will frame the whole group no matter where they’re sitting around the room.
Audio Excellence
The audio experience is second to none, unsurprising as it’s a Poly product, after all.
NoiseBlockAI senses when your side of the conversation is silent, dynamically muting and unmuting the microphones to eliminate noise like the rustling of papers, coughing and so on.
Acoustic Fence senses the distance of how far sounds are coming from and cuts out sounds beyond a certain distance. The effect is like there’s a wall around your conversation.
Wireless Connectivity for Sharing Content
Studio X70 supports Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. You can use the HDMI ports for wired connectivity. But you can also use wireless.
You can use Apple AirPlay and Miracast, as well as the Poly content sharing app, allowing you to share content from smartphones or tablets. This allows everyone, even guests, to collaborate.
It supports full 4K Ultra HD content sharing, giving you the same detail for your content as you get for your calls. The video bar supports whiteboarding to improve collaboration.
Forthcoming Upgrades: Presenter Mode.
Presenter Mode is dynamic speaker tracking, which means the speaker can move around as they talk like a teacher in a classroom. Studio X70 will keep the speaker framed and focused perfectly.
Poly TC8 Touch Display
If you want a simple touchscreen control unit, Studio X70 is available in a bundle with the Poly TC8 Touch Display or you can purchase it separately. TC8 is an 8-inch tablet that provides a dedicated controller for your video meetings.
You can, for example, have the TC8 located centrally to control the cameras when you’re in a call. You can also use it for scheduling, managing meetings and more.
Our thoughts
This is a game-changer when it comes to video conferencing solutions. All of the annoyances usually associated with video conferencing are a thing of the past with the Studio X70.
We are also impressed that when you buy the X70, you are also buying future upgrades. Buy the X70 and you will have your conference room operating at its maximum potential for years to come.
