These teleconference rooms just don't work. The idea is that it's "just like being in a room together", but it is awkward and unnatural. I am based in NYC and have had meetings with India and LA in 2 different huge rooms like this (think Star Trek) and, frankly, conference calls are far more effective. The cameras and video wall are a distraction and barrier to comfortable communication. Greta in theory, dumb in practice.
I've had the opposite experience from fashionista with the Cisco Telepresence. I've had 3 or 4 conferences across the country and it's always been very pleasant. It's about one step away from being there, as you can't easily have side conversations (although it is possible to have multiple conversations going through the unit). The eye contact is a little off, but you can feel the presence of the other person on the other side and take natural cues when they are about to speak. Additionally, when two people talk over one another, you can generally hear what both are saying - as opposed to a traditional phone, where you can't hear either. Finally, the quality is unbelievably good. I held up a piece of paper with a drawing on it and the other end could clearly see what I was trying to describe. I do wish we had a whiteboard in the back of the room, for exactly that purpose.
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These teleconference rooms just don't work. The idea is that it's "just like being in a room together", but it is awkward and unnatural. I am based in NYC and have had meetings with India and LA in 2 different huge rooms like this (think Star Trek) and, frankly, conference calls are far more effective. The cameras and video wall are a distraction and barrier to comfortable communication. Greta in theory, dumb in practice.
I've had the opposite experience from fashionista with the Cisco Telepresence. I've had 3 or 4 conferences across the country and it's always been very pleasant. It's about one step away from being there, as you can't easily have side conversations (although it is possible to have multiple conversations going through the unit). The eye contact is a little off, but you can feel the presence of the other person on the other side and take natural cues when they are about to speak. Additionally, when two people talk over one another, you can generally hear what both are saying - as opposed to a traditional phone, where you can't hear either. Finally, the quality is unbelievably good. I held up a piece of paper with a drawing on it and the other end could clearly see what I was trying to describe. I do wish we had a whiteboard in the back of the room, for exactly that purpose.