A video conferencing system for an auditorium is built from separate parts, not a video bar: one or more long-zoom PTZ cameras aimed at the stage and audience, wireless and lectern microphones feeding a DSP mixer, the hall's PA system for local sound reinforcement, and a room PC or codec that sends a clean mix to Teams, Zoom or a stream. The key is that people in the hall and people on the call each hear the right mix without echo or feedback.
Why a video bar won't work in a hall
Video bars are designed for tables within about 20 feet. In a hall, the presenter may be 40 to 100 feet from the back wall, the audience is spread out, and the room is loud and reverberant. You need:
- Optical zoom to get a tight shot of the presenter from the back of the room.
- Microphones close to every talker (presenter mics, plus audience mics for Q&A).
- A PA so the room can hear remote participants and the presenter.
- Echo cancellation that handles a PA and a call at the same time.
Cameras
| Role | Placement | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| Main presenter shot | Back wall or balcony, centered | AVer PTZ330UV2 (30x zoom) |
| Wide stage or second angle | Side wall or front | AVer PTZ310UV2 (12x zoom) |
| Presenter tracking | Back wall, mid-depth halls | Poly Studio E60 |
| Audience / Q&A shot | Front corner facing seats | Any PTZ with presets |
Size zoom to distance: 12x suits small halls, 20-30x suits deep auditoriums. The AVer PTZ310UV2 and PTZ330UV2 output USB, HDMI, SDI and IP with NDI|HX3, so one camera can feed a call PC and a streaming switcher at once. Use presets for lectern, panel table and audience, and recall them from a joystick or PTZ control software.
Microphones
- Presenter: wireless lavalier or headset for anyone who moves. See wireless presenter microphones.
- Lectern: gooseneck mic.
- Panel table: boundary or gooseneck mics, one per one or two people.
- Audience Q&A: handheld wireless mics passed around, or aisle stand mics. Ceiling arrays rarely work above tiered seating with high ceilings.
Every mic goes into a DSP with acoustic echo cancellation (AEC). The DSP sends one mix to the PA and a different mix to the call, so remote participants are heard in the room but not sent back to themselves.
Audio signal flow
- Microphones go into a DSP or mixer.
- The DSP sends the local mix (mics plus far-end audio) to the PA amplifier and speakers.
- The DSP sends the call mix (mics only) to the room PC over USB or Dante.
- Far-end audio from the PC returns to the DSP, gets mixed into the PA, and is used as the AEC reference.
Skipping step 4's reference is the most common cause of echo complaints from remote participants. Our fix room echo guide covers diagnosis.
Conference hall acoustics
Halls are large and reflective, which hurts speech clarity for both the room and the call.
- Treat the back wall first; it creates the strongest echo toward the stage.
- Add absorption on side walls at ear height, and use upholstered seats.
- Keep PA speakers aimed at the audience, not at the stage microphones.
- Avoid using a lectern mic and a lavalier on the same presenter at the same time.
More on treatment in conference room acoustics.
Compute and platform
Most halls use a Windows room PC running Teams or Zoom, or a dedicated streaming PC, with a USB capture input from a video switcher. A Teams Rooms or Zoom Rooms system works when the hall hosts recurring meetings. For one-to-many events, Teams town halls or Zoom Webinars are a better fit than a regular meeting.
Related guides
- Large conference room setup
- Large conference room audio
- Best PTZ camera for conference rooms
- Church live stream camera setup
Equipping a hall or auditorium? Send us the floor plan and seat count and we'll design the camera and mic layout.
Related guides
- Church live stream camera setup guide
- Council Chamber Hybrid Meetings: Cameras, Audio, Streaming
- How to Live Stream School Board Meetings: Equipment Guide
- Video Conferencing for Courtrooms and Remote Hearings
- Best Cameras for Church Live Streaming (PTZ and Budget)
- Church Hybrid Worship Setup: Cameras, Audio, Streaming
Outfitting several rooms, or reselling? Get a volume quote or apply for wholesale pricing →
