| It is a little difficult for a group of people to hold a | | | | Conference phones on the other hand, operate in |
| conversation over a regular telephone handset. That's | | | | full-duplex mode. This allows all parties to speak at |
| why conference phones exist. They enable individuals | | | | once without any adverse effect. It does this by using |
| or groups to interact with one another without needing | | | | a digital signal processor which prevents feedback by |
| them to be in the same physical location. Conference | | | | eliminating speaker noise from being picked up by the |
| phones are wonderful and innovative tools that are | | | | microphones. This is also called echo cancellation. In |
| quickly becoming indispensable in any type of large | | | | effect, the digital signal processor detects the speaker |
| organization. Understanding how they work will give | | | | signals and removes those sounds from whatever is |
| you a better appreciation for this. | | | | entering the microphones. Thus, all parties can interact |
| The Inner Workings | | | | simultaneously without the choppiness of a typical |
| Conference phones consist of microphone and | | | | speakerphone call. |
| speakers. These components relay audio signals much | | | | Criteria For Judging |
| like a speakerphone does. Conference phones are | | | | There are some things to look for when you are |
| designed with groups of people huddled around it in | | | | considering conference phones. The first is |
| mind. This means they don't have to crowd around a | | | | compatibility. You want something that is plug and play. |
| unidirectional audio apparatus, or worse yet, a small | | | | However, this is only guaranteed with analog jacks. |
| handset. Conference phones are usually self-contained | | | | Several proprietary digital phone systems may hamper |
| units that are placed at the center of a meeting table. | | | | compatibility. The second is sound quality. You |
| They connect to a regular phone wire. More advanced | | | | obviously want full-duplex capability. Some models |
| models may have the option of adding more | | | | have better sound quality than others so it is always a |
| microphones to better capture all the sounds in the | | | | good idea to test some and compare. |
| entire room. | | | | Options and pricing are also major considerations |
| Most regular speakerphones operate in half-duplex | | | | when looking at conference phones. Expansion |
| mode. This means that the speaker is muted | | | | capabilities for the future might be something worth |
| whenever the microphone is activated. The reason for | | | | looking at. There are also units with remote controls |
| this is to minimize feedback during a call. But this also | | | | and wireless microphones. In terms of pricing, there are |
| creates problems. The natural flow of a conversation | | | | several reputable manufacturers so finding a great |
| is disturbed and it comes out sounding very unnatural. If | | | | deal will not be difficult. Finally You will want to see |
| anyone on the receiving end makes a sound that is | | | | how well it will integrate into your office. Testing it live in |
| picked up by their unit's microphone, the speaker's | | | | your meeting room is often desirable before making a |
| voice is cut off. If people are speaking simultaneously, | | | | final purchase. If you cannot do a trial, try to rent the |
| the resulting audio becomes very choppy. | | | | equipment first. |