To set up a conference room camera, mount it centered above or below the display at about seated eye level, connect it to the room computer or laptop by USB (or to a room system by HDMI or IP), then select it as the camera in Teams, Zoom or Google Meet settings. Finish by setting framing: turn on auto-framing if the camera has it, or save PTZ presets for the wide room shot and key seats.
Step 1: Pick the right spot
| Guideline | Why |
|---|---|
| Centered on the display | People look at the screen; centered camera looks like eye contact |
| Directly above or below the screen | Keeps eye lines natural |
| Lens near seated eye level | Avoids looking down on or up at people |
| Not facing a window | Backlight turns faces into silhouettes |
| Clear view of every seat | Check the far corners |
See conference room camera placement and camera mounts.
Step 2: Mount it
- Video bars mount on the display, the wall or a shelf. See video bar mounting.
- PTZ cameras mount on a wall shelf, ceiling bracket or a display mount shelf. If you mount upside down, flip the image in settings. See AVer camera mounts.
- Kit cameras like the Logitech GROUP mount on the display, wall or a table stand.
Step 3: Connect it
| Connection | Use when |
|---|---|
| USB | Camera to a laptop or room PC. Most conference cameras are plug-and-play. |
| HDMI | Camera to a codec, switcher or capture device |
| IP / NDI | Camera on the network, controlled and streamed over Ethernet, common for pro PTZ |
| SDI | Long runs to broadcast-style gear |
For USB runs over about 15 ft (5 m), use an active cable such as the Logitech Active USB Cable or Strong USB. Plug directly into the computer, not a crowded hub. See HDMI vs USB conference cameras.
Step 4: Select the camera in your meeting app
Microsoft Teams (laptop or PC):
- Click your profile picture or Settings and more (…) > Settings > Devices.
- Under Camera, select the conference camera.
- If the camera has built-in mics and speakers, select it for Microphone and Speaker too.
In a meeting, you can switch cameras from More > Video effects and settings or the camera dropdown.
Zoom:
- Open Settings > Video.
- Choose the conference camera from the Camera dropdown.
- Under Audio, choose its mic and speaker if it has them.
Google Meet (browser): open Settings > Video and pick the camera.
Teams Rooms or Zoom Rooms: select the camera in the room's admin settings under peripherals. See Teams Rooms setup and Zoom Rooms setup.
Step 5: Set framing
- Auto-framing: most modern bars and AI cameras zoom to fit the people in the room. Enable it in the camera's software, such as Logitech Sync or AVer's tools.
- PTZ presets: with a PTZ camera like the AVer CAM520 Pro3, save a wide room shot as preset 1, and other presets for the whiteboard or presenter.
- Speaker tracking: some cameras follow whoever is talking. Test it in a real meeting.
See PTZ camera control and auto-tracking cameras.
Step 6: Adjust image settings
- Use auto exposure and white balance first.
- If faces look dark, add front light rather than raising exposure. See conference room lighting levels.
- Turn on anti-flicker for your region's power frequency (60 Hz in the US) if you see banding.
- Update the camera firmware.
Step 7: Test it
- Start a test meeting with someone remote.
- Sit in the farthest seats. Are people clearly visible and in frame?
- Check audio from each seat if the camera has built-in mics.
- Try presets and auto-framing.
See test your video conferencing system.
How to use the room camera on Teams
If the room has a USB camera connected to a cable at the table:
- Connect the room's USB cable to your laptop.
- In Teams, pick the room camera, mic and speaker in Devices.
- Join your meeting.
If it's a Teams Room, don't plug in. Tap Join on the console. See how to join from a Teams Room.
Common problems
| Problem | Fix |
|---|---|
| Camera not listed | Reconnect USB, try another port, restart the app |
| Black image | Another app is using the camera; close it. Check privacy cover. |
| Upside-down image | Flip the image in camera settings |
| Choppy video | Use a direct USB port; check bandwidth |
More fixes: conference room camera not working and Teams camera not working.
Choosing a camera first? Tell us your room size and we'll recommend one that's easy to set up.
Related guides
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