By Ryan Burgee, AV Sales Engineer, SC Office
When designing or upgrading a meeting space for clients, one of the first questions Connectivity Point will ask is “how will people connect to the room’s Audio Visual system?” The right approach depends on who uses the space, how often, and for what kind of meetings.
Common Audio Visual system setups
Bring Your Own Device (BYOD)
Users connect their laptop directly via HDMI, USB-C, or wireless casting.
+ Flexible and familiar — people use their own computer and software.
! Can be inconsistent across devices, requires cable management, and relies on the user’s hardware.
In-Room PC
A dedicated computer is permanently installed in the room, connected to the A/V system.
+ Consistent performance, no need to rely on personal devices, easy access for recurring teams.
! Requires proper IT management, and not as convenient for guest presenters.
Virtual Meeting Compute Device (e.g., Zoom Rooms, Microsoft Teams Rooms appliances)
A purpose-built device designed to run a conferencing platform, fully integrated with cameras, mics, and displays.
+ Seamless “one-touch join” experience, reliable for standardized meeting platforms, scalable across multiple rooms.
! Less flexible if you need to switch between platforms or use custom software.
Each of these system types has a place and Connectivity Point often combines BYOD functionality with an in-room PC or dedicated conferencing compute device.
A/V product recommendations
As with any project, proper planning is key. Considering how you want to connect to your A/V system will ensure a cost-effective design and provide a simple and consistent experience for you or your end-users.
Inogeni Toggle Switcher
Devices like the Inogeni Toggle Switcher allow a hybrid approach. With the push of a button, access to a room’s display and conferencing peripherals can be shared between a permanently installed room-PC to an external device such as a laptop. Connections are made with either a USB-C cable or a combination of HDMI and USB cables.
The diagram above shows how the Inogeni Toggle enables seamless switching between a BYOD/BYOM laptop and a Zoom Rooms compute device. The compute device can also be swapped for a standard PC, providing virtual conferencing flexibility without being locked into a dedicated ‘Rooms’ solution.
Crestron Flex Video Conferencing
A compute device, like those integrated into Crestron Flex systems is similar to desktop PCs, but the operating system is modified to support advanced virtual conferencing solutions like Microsoft Teams Rooms, Zoom Rooms, or Cisco Webex Rooms. These systems generally provide a touch screen interface and look to provide the most seamless virtual conferencing experience.
The image above shows the Crestron Flex System using Microsoft’s Teams Rooms Operating System. Notice the integrated room schedule showing planned meetings throughout the day.
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