Video Conference Comparison
The following chart gives basic information for each of the video conferencing tools supported at BGSU. Below that chart you will find more detailed information on each application.
| Webex | Zoom | Microsoft Teams | Cisco Telepresence | |
| Video Quality | High | High | High | Very High |
| Audio Quality | Medium | High | High | Very High |
| Maximum Users | 1000 | 300 | 250 | 1000 |
| Suggested Use | General Academic Use | General Academic Use | Administrative Use | Distance Education and Sync |
| Sharing Screen | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Sharing Videos/Music | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Cloud Recording | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Chat and Reactions | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Polls | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Background Blurring | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Virtual Backgrounds | No | Yes | Yes | No |
| Breakout Rooms | No | Yes | No | No |
| Captions on Recordings | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Live Captions | No | No | Yes | No |
| In Canvas - Create Meetings | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| In Canvas- Show Recordings | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| In Canvas - Track Attendance | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
Webex Meetings
Webex Meetings have been supported by Information Technology Services for several years and meets all of the basic requirements needed for academic and general meetings. The most valuable feature of Webex is the support for up to 1,000 participants.
- Very high-quality video and audio.
- Requires very fast internet to avoid issues with video and audio.
- High video quality.
- Audio works well near instructor station.
- Audio from other areas in the classroom will be lower quality.
- Sharing content with detailed controls.
- Cloud or local recording.
- Basic text chat, polls, and participant reaction.
- Background blurring.
- Direct connection to Telepresence systems.
- Very high maximum number of users (1000).
- Create scheduled meetings and Virtual Office Hours.
- Instructor and students can join directly from Canvas.
- Recordings and attendance links stored in Canvas.
Zoom
Recent changes to the Zoom platform have greatly increased its security and reliability. BGSU is working on procuring licensing for Zoom for all academic and general meetings. The most valuable feature of Zoom is direct support for Breakout Rooms.
Additional information coming soon!
- Very high-quality video and audio.
- Works well on most connection speeds.
- High video quality.
- Audio works well at an approx. 25 foot diameter surrounding the instructor station.
- Students beyond 25 feet will experience lower quality audio.
- Sharing content with detailed controls.
- Cloud or local recording.
- Basic text chat, polls, and student reaction.
- Background blurring and custom backgrounds.
- Breakout Rooms
- Create scheduled meetings and Virtual Office Hours.
- Instructor and students can join directly from Canvas.
- Recordings and attendance links stored in Canvas.
Microsoft Teams
Microsoft Teams is a tool for team collaboration that includes a variety of productivity tools, including support for virtual meetings. Teams is recommended for administrative and general meetings. Microsoft Teams has many additional features that should be explored by all offices at BGSU. Breakout Rooms are coming to Teams soon.
- Very high-quality video and audio.
- Works well on most connection speeds.
- High video quality.
- Audio works well at an approx. 25 foot diameter surrounding the instructor station.
- Students beyond 25 feet will experience lower quality audio.
- Sharing content with detailed controls.
- Cloud or local recording.
- Basic text chat, polls, and student reaction.
- Background blurring and custom backgrounds.
- Together Mode for better grid view.
- Live captions with Speaker Attribution.
- Create scheduled meetings.
Cisco Telepresence
Cisco Telepresence is a set of devices that are installed in several rooms across campus. These rooms have high quality audio and video options when using direct calls or Webex Meetings.