Video Conferencing Information

Berkeley AV provides a variety of support for videoconferences that connect you with sites around the world. We offer consultative services and onsite technical support. We can assess the suitability of your office, departmental space, or events venue for a videoconference connection. On the day of your event our technicians can setup and operate the equipment in the room to ensure a trouble free, successful connection.

Consultations and Onsite Technical Support

Berkeley AV can provide up to one half-hour of video conference consultative service at no cost. If you require more assistance than this time will allow, or you would like to hire our technicians to provide onsite support for a video conference, charges for labor and equipment will apply.

Request via email Consultation or Quote

Campus IT Videoconference Options

The main videoconference solutions available to UC Berkeley faculty, staff and students are Google Hangouts and Zoom.  More information about these options can be found at the Technology at Berkeley (link is external)website.

DIY and Equipping Departmental Spaces

RTL has compiled an extensive list of DIY equipment recommendations and advise for installing systems in your departmental spaces to support video conferencing and hybrid meeting and events. RTL Departmental Spaces (link is external)

Events on YouTube Support

Berkeley AV manages the UC Berkeley Events YouTube Channel (link is external), which includes a catalog of thousands of UC Berkeley sponsored event lectures, colloquia, and seminars.  Our channel is a powerful distribution platform that welcomes thousands of subscribers and millions of visitors each year.  By selecting Berkeley AV to record and publish your event, you benefit from a seamless process from start to finish.  Our fine-tuned production workflow enables us to publish events within 24 hours if necessary, and our standard turnaround for most events is about 5-7 days.  Use our online form to get a quote for your event, or contact us directly to discuss the details of your project.

Once your project is underway, we will need your help to complete the publishing process. Here are the two required steps:

(1) MEDIA RELEASES – Submit copies of all signed media releases from your event. Documents may be emailed as attachments to media.releases@media.berkeley.edu(link sends e-mail).  Please indicate the 6-digit Berkeley AV order number on the fax cover sheet or in your email subject heading.

(2) PUBLISHING AGREEMENT – Submit your intent to publish using the appropriate online publishing form. Please do not complete this form until all media releases have been submitted. You will be asked for the 6-digit Berkeley AV order number when completing this form. You must log in using your CalNet ID – please log out of all other Google accounts before attempting to access this form!

Content published to the UC Berkeley Events YouTube Channel is recorded, edited, and processed by Berkeley AV. However, any authorized faculty or staff member may publish their own content to a departmental YouTube account. University policies regarding copyright and accessibility apply to these accounts as well. The bConnected(link is external) and YouTube(link is external) sites provide more information on setting up departmental accounts and publishing videos to YouTube.

Useful video conference resources

Videoconference Facilities On Campus

Name

CITRIS

Location

Sutardja Dai Hall

UC Berkeley

Contact Info

Phone: (510) 643-7962

Click here for room reservations

Things to consider

Things to consider When Videoconferencing:

  • Where on campus will you be located?
  • How many participants/presenters will at the campus location?
  • How many remote sites are connecting?
  • Will there be audio and video interaction between all sites?
  • Which sites have computer presentations?
  • Do you need an interactive whiteboard?
  • Are movies or video clips being played in the presentations?
  • Are the far sites on hard wired networks?
  • When can we schedule a test with the far sites? ETS requires a test with the far sites prior to the date of the event.
  • Will the videoconference be live streamed to the web?
  • Do you want a recording of the videoconference?
  • Which connection methods do the far sites support?
  • Do the far sites want to see the presenters or the audience?
  • What is the best location of the camera (looking into the lens) and microphone?
  • What is the time difference?
  • Is there a telephone available as a backup?

Common Uses

Common uses of videoconferencing technology:

  • Distance learning
  • Guest lecturers
  • Job interviews
  • Remote collaborations
  • Administrative meetings
  • Grant proposals
  • Going Green: UC Berkeley strives to be an environmentally sustainable campus. While videoconferencing technology can save you time and money, it can also help to reduce the campus’ environmental impact caused by long distance travel.

Best Practices

Our Best Practices:

  • Do not rely on wireless networks.
  • Run only the applications needed during the conference.
  • Have phone numbers for the technicians at the far sites.
  • Forward computer presentations to the far site in case there is a problem with the web conferencing screen-sharing feature.