2020 might as well be classed as the year that video conference calls turned domestic. COVID-19 has given the world a devastating blow, but we have also adapted our communication methods. One of the results of this movement may well be the Meeting Owl Pro.
A Court Of Meeting Owl Pros…
Owl labs have been hard at work with their professional 1080p answer to video communications solutions. Featuring the latter, the Meeting Owl Pro boasts a 360° viewing angle with eight omnidirectional microphone inputs. These features ensure everyone within an 18-foot radius will be seen and heard.
Owl Labs built-in AI translates these features into a beautiful video conferencing product. Voice position and audio sensitivity allow the Meeting Owl pro to focus in on speakers alongside its built-in motion detection. This feature is, of course, known as ‘Smart Zoom’.
A Versatile Device
The Meeting Owl Pro works best in 15 x 20 foot (4.5 x 6 metres) rooms, which makes it quite a versatile bit of kit. So much so that it’s a simple plug and play affair, which will come as a relief for many Office and Home users. Simply plug into a mains outlet and USB Port on a Windows/Mac device and select Meeting Owl Pro as the primary device for audio, microphone and video capabilities.
As such, Meeting Owl Pro is compatible with every kind of video conferencing software from Skype to Zoom. Microphone extenders are compatible for bigger conference calls, but external audio devices are not recommended when using the device. Well, of course you could, but it may effect functionality of the Owl’s smart capabilities.
Specifications:
Sensor
| Resolution and Frame Rate | 1080p |
General
| Host Connection | USB 2.0 |
| Low-Light Correction | Yes |
| Supported Operating Systems | Windows 7 or Later macOS 10.8 or Later Linux 16.04 Chrome iOS 10 or Later Android 5 or Later |
Microphone
| Pickup Range | 18′ / 5.49 m |
| Cancellation Technology | Echo |
Physical
| Dimensions (W x H x D) | 4.4 x 10.8 x 4.4″ / 111.0 x 273.0 x 111.0 mm |
| Weight | 2.65 lb / 1.2 kg |
Packaging Info
| Package Weight | 5.65 lb |
| Box Dimensions (LxWxH) | 13.2 x 6.9 x 6.9″ |
My Thoughts…
I have been using the Meeting Owl Pro for the last couple of days to keep in touch with family via Zoom, whilst playing around with volume and its Smart Zoom feature. The build quality from Owl Labs is truly a job well done, this is a solid device that will survive long past many employees probationary periods.
The Audio is 100% suitable for conference calls hosting 10 -15 people around the Meeting Owl Pro, and the microphone certainly makes good on its range and fidelity. But the 1080p 360° camera is a let down.
Owl Take Social Distancing Family Time!
The conference images between me, myself and my Mum are using the front facing cameras of a Huawei P30 Pro and a Samsung A3. The Huawei P30 Pro is using the exact same lighting and environment in real time for comparison.
Unfortunately, The Meeting Owl Pro doesn’t cut the 1080p video quality, which is a big letdown considering is £999 RRP. It’s grainy, blurry when zoomed in and has terrible light balancing. In a white, well-lit office environment, this issues would be less noticeable. But this device doesn’t cut it in darker conditions and typical home environments. Maybe in an Ikea showroom?
Not So Smart Zoom?
The Smart Zoom functionality seems to work better at lesser distances, with any activity over four metres being ignored by my the AI’s motion detection. Again, the Audio and Microphones performed well, but the camera once again didn’t cut it.
Initially, the plug and play connectivity worked a treat with the first few hours. But I was soon unplugging and plugging back in as well as restarting software and my Mac to get a video feed back. The audio and microphone in the Meeting Owl Pro hasn’t proved to be an issue thus far.
In Conclusion
Whilst on paper, this device is the perfect conferencing tool, in practice the end result is a mixed bag. Offices will be glad to know that thy have a simple and reliable Audio and Microphone solution, but Offices in 2020 have much better cameras hardwired to 50″ plus HDTVs and Smart Displays.
The home front also proves to trump the devices camera quality, with entry level front facing camera options on Smartphones providing a much higher quality feed. In a day and age where every employee involved in a conference has a microphone, suitable audio and video built into their laptops, tablets and smartphones, It’s hard to find a place for the Meeting Owl Pro.
Owl Labs Meeting Owl Pro is available for £999 from Tuesday 28th July from Amazon.
