The move to hybrid working has created a gap in the market for video collaboration solutions that suit individuals and small. decentralised workgroups. The working environment for these end-users might be the home, occasional trips to the office or informal meeting spaces, which might or might not be video enabled.
Those with the necessary skill and expertise have the option of developing their own solution from hardware certified by one or more of the software platforms. But what if you just want a relatively inexpensive, decent quality and easy to use solution that is delivered in an a ready to install and use bundle – the Konftel C2070 could well be ideal!
Konftel’s C2070 is ta video communications package for small to medium meeting rooms. The bundle combines the Konftel Cam20 4K conference camera, the Konftel 70 speakerphone (for impressive OmniSound audio quality) and he Konftel OCC Hub to tie everything together. The neat thing about this is that all need n the single. orange USB cable connect the camera, the audio device and the room’s screen to a video meeting on your laptop.
OK, so we are probably not the typical user. and we did have the advantage of having used the Konftel camera fir some months before we received the complete kit. Nonetheless, we are more then used to receiving review products that as are assured “work straight out of the box”, only to spend hours fiddling with leads and connections and even a trip to our local electrical wholesaler to get something working. But not this time! As directed in the simple instruction leaflet. we had the C2070 up-and-running in less than 20 minutes.
Solution in use
While we are often asked to use a variety of collaboration platforms, usually in order to have a conversation with the people selling them, in reality Zoom and MS Teams are adequate for our, and most people’s needs. As I have already mentioned, we were already familiar with the Konftel camera, and have been favourably impressed. The real revelation was the audio quality
The speaker and microphone unit are built into the triangular Konftel 70 voice system. The sound quality is superb through the speaker, with performance completely belying the diminutive size of the unit. The beamforming microphones and central placement seem to have an advantage, over similar units with a bar configuration. Certainly we had no problems making and receiving calls from both mobiles and landlines.
Add to this, the performance of the Konftel Cam20, a 4K digicam with an 8K zoom and has, at 123 levels, one of many wildest viewing angles around. Image quality is impressive even when lighting conditions were far from optimal – one of the consequences of using informal meeting spaces designed for something else entirely.
So what of the last unit in the bundle? The OCC Hug connects the speakerphone and digicam via USB cable for laptop connectivity. While this the only element that has a distinctive far eastern OEM flavour to its it does its job perfectly well.
Conclusion
AB Partsmaster lists the Konftel C2070 at £658.80, inc VAT. At this price, the solution should pay for itself in days or even hours, depending on how you calculate your ROI. For an accountant or a lawyer in London, reckon 2 – 4 hours – and you need have no concerns about video or audio quality.
Specifications Konftel C2070
GENERAL
Product name: Konftel C2070, Item number: 951201089
SPEAKERPHONE
Product name: Konftel 70,Contents: Konftel 70 (910101089), AC adapter
(includes EU, US, AU and UK attachment clips), USB cable (USB 2.0 type A/micro-B, 1.5m), Quick
reference guide, Important notice document. Technology: OmniSound® with support for HD
audio, full duplex, automatic echo cancellation and noise suppression.
Microphone: 4 digital MEMS microphones.
Beamforming audio pick-up. Pick-up range: 4 m
Connectivity: USB 2.0 micro-B, Bluetooth 4.2
Class 1 (HFP/HSP/A2DP), NFC for easy pairing
View full spec at konftel.com
CAMERA
Product name: Konftel Cam20,Contents: Konftel Cam20 (931201001), 4.5m USB, cable (type A/type B), remote control with two AAA batteries, Quick guide, safety declaration. Resolution: 4K Ultra HD/30 fps Zoom: 8x digital zoom Focus: Auto Field of view: 123° Wall bracket: Included
Remote control: Included Mounting: 1/4”-20 UNC
CLIMATE NEUTRAL PRODUCTS
Konftel is certified in line with the Climate Neutral standard. This means that we have offset all our greenhouse gas emissions and are taking action to further reduce those emissions. When you choose a Konftel product, you keep a clear climate conscience while supporting your organization’s growing need for video collaboration.
NO HASSLE HUB
The ingenious Konftel OCC Hub offers One Cable Connection to the conference camera, speakerphone and screen. In practice, this means the C2070 fully supports BYOC – Bring
Your Own Computer, where the user can utilize their preferred collaboration service on any laptop with a USB port.
HUB
Product name: Konftel OCC Hub Contents: Konftel OCC Hub (900102149), 3 m USB cable, 5 m USB cable (type A/mini B), 5 m USB cable (type A/micro-B), AC adapter (EU, US,
AU, UK), Velcro® tape, Quick guide, safety declaration, Installation guide. USB: 3.0