Tech for a hybrid meeting?

May 13, 2021 11:59 AM

What tech set up is best for a bi-monthly hybrid meeting of 15-30 held in a rented space?

I work for a small advocacy nonprofit, which in pre-pandemic times held bi-monthly meetings with its volunteer Action Team in a small rented room in a church. We'd typically have 15-30 people in attendance, seated in a circle. During the pandemic, we have exclusively met on Zoom. We'd like to offer hybrid meetings before long but are trying to figure out what tech we'd need to make it work well.

We're planning to use a Meeting Owl Pro as the camera, mic, and speaker. To display remote participants, should we put an iPad on a tripod? Or opt for a projector and screen? Can anyone speak to the pluses and minuses of either setup? Or have other ideas?

Thanks in advance!

posted by andythebean to Technology (1 answer total)

This page on their site suggests a half circle seating arrangement with the farthest person sitting 8 feet away from the Meeting Owl Pro for the ideal meeting experience. Your 30 person meeting in a circular seating arrangement probably wouldn’t be the greatest experience. If this is a resource limited nonprofit I’d be reluctant to spend the $1,000+ on this device since it appears your group is too large for the Meeting Owl Pro.
posted by mundo at 6:13 AM on May 14, 2021