How to look and sound your best in a video call

Byjnoedel

By Jeff Noedel
Video producer and director since 1982
Founder of CountyNews.LIVE (2008 to 2014)
Co-founder of CNL2 (2023 to 2025), CNL3, CNL4, and TellMeAStory.social

The Covid19 pandemic (2020 to 2022), brought video conferencing to the masses. Covid receded, but video conferencing is here to stay.

At CNL2 and CNL3, we have streamed hundreds of video interviews where the two participants are in different locations — woven together on a single video screen. Usually, the camera at our end is a high-quality camera (Nikon D850 DSLR or a JVC GY-HM180) while the camera being used by the other person in the interview is a smartphone or a laptop camera.

Other credibility killers include an inadequate microphone, inadequate lighting, and often sketchy internet bandwidth. Sometimes, the background in many of the remote feeds is often dull, ugly, or distracting, and there is unwanted noise on the “set.”

All of these shortcomings can conspire to undercut the remote guest’s message and credibility. At worst, a substandard internet connection can ruin the entire production and lead to cancellation of the recording.

The good news is that there is a solution for every one of these quality-killers. And when you install all that are needed, you will look and sound great. Your video feed will convey instant credibility.

Following is a step-by-step guide (in the form of a checklist) for the ideal mini-studio to look and sound the best on remote video appearances. We recommend some equipment or vendors in this checklist. Please know that we may receive a small commission if you purchase any of our recommendations.

If having a printed copy of this checklist is more convenient, you may download the checklist here.

Location of my mini-studio

(The ideal mini studio is set up in a dedicated space that can stay intact when not in use.)

  • My office at work, or a dedicated space in my office building
  • My office or den at home
  • Another part of my home (specify)
  • Outdoors, such as a porch or deck (beware of wind- and street-noise)
  • In a public space (eg: coffeehouse – beware of ambient noise)
  • In a vehicle (one of the very worst locations, unappealing to many viewers)

Physical connection to the internet

  • Hardwired (fiber to router, ethernet cable from router to computer)
  • Fiber to WIFI
  • Home/office wireless 5g (5G: T-Mobile Home 5G)
  • Satellite internet (egs: Starlink, Hughes satellite)
  • Smartphone hotspot
  • Smartphone direct radio signal

Internet speed

(Critically important: A minimum speed of 50 mbps download/20 mbps upload is required for reliable video appearances. During our split screen video productions, you will be both uploading your video signal to us, while simultaneously downloading the program feed.)

To test your internet speeds, please test a minimum of three times at different times of day and evening. If you are using a portable device, be sure to test the signal from the exact location of the planned video appearance, as signal strength can vary widely even in a small area.

Also, if testing an internet connection at home, test it during the same conditions expected at the time of your appearance. For example, if your kids play video games when you’ll be video streaming, test you connection while your kids are using the internet bandwidth.

Google the phrase “internet speed test” and record the results here:

TEST 1: Date:________, Time:________. Mbps download:________, Mbps upload:________
TEST 2: Date:________, Time:________. Mbps download:________, Mbps upload:________
TEST 3: Date:________, Time:________. Mbps download:________, Mbps upload:________

If you get any readings near or below 50 mbps down or 20 mbps up, the quality of the video signal may be noticeably degraded.

Type of device you’re streaming through

You will connect to our video control room through a webpage or a smartphone app, through an invitation we send you. Either way, you will be running software on one device or another.

  • Desktop/tower computer
  • Laptop computer
  • Tablet
  • Smartphone

Electric power

  • AC
  • AC with battery backup
  • AC from a portable generator
  • all battery powered (from 2,000 watt battery to smartphone battery)

Type of camera you are using

These camera types are ranked best to worst

  • PTZ (pan-tilt-zoom) webcam with IP remote control (which can be controlled by us) and/or and auto-tracking
  • PTZ webcam (controlled by you)
  • High-end camera on a tripod (DSLR, camcorder, etc. with zoom lens and auto-focus)
  • External USB webcam
  • Built-in webcam (likely built into your laptop or external monitor)
  • Built in webcam in your tablet or smartphone

Tripod, camera mount, or cradle

NOTE: The goal is to get the camera lens at your eye level!

  • Heavy tripod for permanent mini studio
  • Light tripod for temporary mini studio
  • Tripod mounts for smartphones
  • low-cost wooden easel for picture frames

Type of monitor you will use to see the other participants

  • A teleprompter in front of the camera, for maximum eye contact with the lens
  • Separate freestanding monitor positioned as close as possible to the camera
  • Monitor attached to my computer (desktop or laptop) or tablet or smartphone

QUESTION: How much distance (in feet) will be between you and the monitor you’ll be seeing other participants? The closer the monitor (such as 1-2 feet), the worse.

Teleprompter helpful

  • Some people benefit from a teleprompter for opening and closing comments, and/or on-screen notes
  • In some cases, 2 teleprompters with 2 cameras can be used: one used as the main camera and “talent cue,” which show you the other people in the conversation; the other teleprompter to show copy you might read or notes you might expound on
  • another option for your teleprompter is to operate the prompter remotely from our control room

Special effects real-time ‘whiteboard’ or SFX

  • scribble notes, or diagrams on a tablet with stylus-pen (or finger on a laptop tablet)*
  • insert sound effects using a touchscreen monitor

*Use of a tablet for real-time sketching will require a second upstream feed, increasing the minimum upload speed to 35 mbps

Type of microphone you will use

  • A dedicated mic on a desktop stand, articulated arm (radio studio style), or overhead boom, with a cough switch
  • Lavalier mic
  • Earbuds with a mic
  • The built-in mic on a laptop or a desktop monitor
  • A sports broadcast headset with mic

Studio sound-proofing / baffling

  • foam “egg cartons”
  • carpet or rug
  • green screen

Your mini studio lighting

  • 1 or 2 flat panel lights (key and fill)
  • a backlight
  • an LED bar uplight
  • a light on the background

How will you listen to the host and other participants?

  • through the speaker built into my laptop or desktop
  • through earbuds (wired or wireless, with or without mic)
  • through a headset or sports broadcast headset
  • through a broadcast monitor earpiece (through which you hear the other participants)

NOTE: In some expert situations, an earpiece known as an IFB (interruptible foldback) can be used to hear spoken directions from the control room director. In this rare case, other people in your mini studio — such as a floor director, camera operator, or teleprompter operator) can also wear additional IFBs.

Type of background

  • a solid wall (painted, wallpaper, paneling, a 3D logo, or green screen)
  • clear glass windows with a view (beware of backlight)
  • bookcases, shelves, or a stylish kitchen
  • a large optional 4K monitor

Furniture, decor, or props visible on your set

  • a desk (I might lean on the desk from time to time)
  • a comfy chair (I might lean back into the chair)
  • a stool
  • I prefer to stand
  • a branded coffee mug (your brand)
  • fresh flowers
  • a telephone (as a prop only)
  • gimmick bell, buzzer, horn, etc.

Other items on your set, not visible to the audience

  • pen and paper to jot down notes and impromptu questions
  • a podium or bookrest (wrong word) to place paper notes you can refer to
  • a space heater in a cold room
  • a mirror
  • vinyl cord covers to prevent trips over cables, and prevent damage to cables
  • a teleprompter control mouse (if no separate prompter operator is availble)
  • a clock
  • a timer
  • a roll of gaffers tape (bright green)
  • a gray card or white car for camera white balancing

The clothing you wear

  • Never wear green if your background is a green screen

Your hair, makeup, and glasses (esp. for professionals)

  • a mirror
  • concealer if needed
  • pressed powder (a compact and pad or brush) is recommended in all cases (reduce shine, add warmth)
  • Chapstick lip balm
  • aspirin or Tylenol
  • back brace or back support to sit up straight
  • teeth whitening is an option
  • cough medicine (night before), hot tea or coffee to clear throat, cough lozenges
  • Do you wear glasses? Do you wear different glasses for distances of 2 feet vs. 6 feet? Clean your glasses. Tinted glasses are unappealing to video audiences.

CNL3 is available to design, engineer, and build a set for a corporate or institutional customer, or for a serious YouTube influencer. Contact Jeff@CNL3.com