Video Conferencing

Video Conferencing Information 

Berkeley AV provides a variety of support for videoconferences that connect you with sites around the world. We offer consultative services and onsite technical support. We can assess the suitability of your office, departmental space, or events venue for a videoconference connection. On the day of your event our technicians can setup and operate the equipment in the room to ensure a trouble free, successful connection.

Consultations and Onsite Technical Support

Berkeley AV can provide up to one half-hour of video conference consultative service at no cost. If you require more assistance than this time will allow, or you would like to hire our technicians to provide onsite support for a video conference, charges for labor and equipment will apply.

Request a Consultation or Quote

Campus IT Videoconference Options

The main videoconference solutions available to UC Berkeley faculty, staff and students are Google Hangouts and Zoom.  More information about these options can be found at the Technology@Berkeley(link is external) website.

DIY and Equipping Departmental Spaces

RTL has compiled an extensive list of DIY equipment recommendations and advise for installing systems in your departmental spaces to support video conferencing and hybrid meeting and events. RTL Departmental Spaces(link is external) 

Useful video conference resources

Videoconference Facilities On Campus

Name

Location

Contact Info

CITRIS

Sutardja Dai Hall

 UC Berkeley

(510) 643-7962

av@citris-uc.org

Room Reservations

Things to Consider

  • Where on campus will you be located?
  • How many participants/presenters will at the campus location?
  • How many remote sites are connecting?
  • Will there be audio and video interaction between all sites?
  • Which sites have computer presentations?
  • Do you need an interactive whiteboard?
  • Are movies or video clips being played in the presentations?
  • Are the far sites on hard wired networks?
  • When can we schedule a test with the far sites? ETS requires a test with the far sites prior to the date of the event.
  • Will the videoconference be live streamed to the web?
  • Do you want a recording of the videoconference?
  • Which connection methods do the far sites support?
  • Do the far sites want to see the presenters or the audience?
  • What is the best location of the camera (looking into the lens) and microphone?
  • What is the time difference?
  • Is there a telephone available as a backup?

Common Uses

  • Distance learning
  • Guest lecturers
  • Job interviews
  • Remote collaborations
  • Administrative meetings
  • Grant proposals
  • Going Green: UC Berkeley strives to be an environmentally sustainable campus. While videoconferencing technology can save you time and money, it can also help to reduce the campus' environmental impact caused by long distance travel.

Best Practices

  • Do not rely on wireless networks.
  • Run only the applications needed during the conference.
  • Have phone numbers for the technicians at the far sites.
  • Forward computer presentations to the far site in case there is a problem with the web conferencing screen-sharing feature.