Audio and Video Conferencing Options

Owned by Charlee Paige Van De Peer
Last updated: May 23, 2024 by Megan Winterburn
3 min read

There are a variety of audio and video conferencing solutions available to use here at the University of Waterloo. "One size doesn't fit all" and when it comes to audio or video conferencing, one solution doesn't fit all situations.

Some seminar rooms in the faculty of health (https://uwaterloo.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/HEALTHHELP/pages/43061837910 ) are set up with Audio Conferencing equipment (https://uwaterloo.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/HEALTHHELP/pages/43453382834, https://uwaterloo.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/HEALTHHELP/pages/43060920465, ).

Here are some options available and things to consider when choosing the solution for your next audio/video conference meeting.  

  • On-Campus Conference Rooms

  • Skype for Business

  • Teams

  • Webex

  • Zoom

​Please note: The first two require booking with IST well in advance of the event (Adobe Connect and On-campus Conference Rooms).

See also: 

On-campus Conference Rooms

Best for:

  • Formal presentations or recurring events with external audiences at remote sites with similar facilities (e.g. one class, two physically separate locations)

You will need:

  • On-campus booked with dedicated audio/video equipment

You may need:

  • Remote site with similar audio/video equipment

Where to find out more?

  • Service arranged through IST Instructional Technologies and Media Services - (email kbookan@uwaterloo.ca)

Skype for Business

Best for:

  • Conversations/meetings with others at UW (especially ad-hoc or last minute meetings).

  • Document sharing and collaboration without booking a meeting room

Can be used for:

  • Meetings and presentations with non-UW contacts

  • Combined on-premise and off-campus meeting spaces with portable conference camera

You will need:

  • Microphone and/or webcam or a room where these are available (e.g. , , ).

  • Skype for Business account (automatically created all Faculty of Health, staff and graduate students)

  • Office 2013 or 2016 (recommended) with Skype for Business software (included with Office 2016)

You may need:

  • Set up a trial meeting ahead of time if non-UW contacts are involved

  • Portable conference camera for larger spaces (book through the Dean's office)

Where to find out more?

  • Refer to and  or contact any member of the Health Computing Team () for assistance

Teams

Best for:

  • Conversations/meetings with others at UW (especially groups that work together on a regular basis)

  • Instant messaging, Document sharing and collaboration without booking a meeting room

Can be used for:

  • Meetings and presentations with non-UW contacts (guests can be added to Teams)

You will need:

  • Microphone and/or webcam or a room where these are available (e.g. , , ).

You may need:

  • Portable conference camera for larger spaces (book through the Dean's office)

Where to find out more?

  • Microsoft at UW

Webex (service being discontinued Fall 2024)

Best for:

  • Planned events or meetings with either small or large groups

  • Meetings and presentations with non-UW contacts

  • Webinar events

Can be used for:

  • Combined on-premise and off-campus meeting spaces with portable conference camera

  • Meetings with telephone call-in numbers

You will need:

  • Microphone and/or webcam or a room where these are available (e.g. , , ).

  • UW Webex account (if you can't log in at https://uwaterloo.webex.com with your userid@uwaterloo.ca and your password, contact Health Computing Office to verify that you have an account)

You may need:

  • Cisco Webex software installed locally (although most functions can be done using the web interface)

  • Portable conference camera for larger spaces (book through the Dean's office)

Where to find out more?

  • - IST

  • Help Pages - IST

Zoom

Best for:

  • Planned events or meetings with either small or large groups

  • Meetings and presentations with non-UW contacts

  • Webinar events (upon request)

Can be used for:

  • Combined on-premise and off-campus meeting spaces with portable conference camera

  • Meetings with telephone call-in numbers

You will need:

  • Microphone and/or webcam or a room where these are available (e.g. , , ).

  • UW Zoom account (available at https://uwaterloo.zoom.us)

You may need:

  • Zoom Meeting software installed locally (although most functions can be done using the web interface)

  • Portable conference camera for larger spaces (book through the Dean's office)

Where to find out more?

  • - IST

  • Knowledgbase Articles - IST

  • - HEALTH-HELP