Vratislav Holub The coronavirus pandemic has completely changed our working habits. While at the beginning of 2020 it was quite normal for companies to meet in meeting rooms, a change came relatively soon when we had to move to our homes and work in an online environment within the home office. In such a case, communication is absolutely essential, with which a number of various problems have appeared, specifically in the field of video conferencing. Fortunately, we can use several proven methods.
Virtually overnight, the popularity of solutions such as Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Google Meet and many others has increased. But they have their shortcomings, which is why QNAP, which specializes in the production of home and business NAS and other network devices, came up with its own KoiBox-100W video conferencing solution for private and cloud meetings. There is also local storage or the possibility of wireless projection up to 4K resolution. What can the device do, what is it for and what are its advantages? This is exactly what we will look at together now.
KoiBox-100W as a replacement for SIP conference systems
The video conference solution KoiBox-100W is an ideal replacement for expensive conference systems based on the SIP protocol. Its biggest advantage is undoubtedly its trusted security, which makes it a suitable method for private conferences. For all this, the device uses KoiMeeter's own operating system. Compatibility with other services is also extremely important in this regard. KoiBox-100W can therefore also connect to calls via Zoom, Skype, Microsoft Teams, Cisco Webex or even Google Meet.
In general, this is a very high-quality solution for small to medium-sized meeting rooms, director's offices, classrooms or lecture halls, while it can also be used in households. Thanks to Wi-Fi 6 support, it also provides stable video calls.
Wireless projection in 4K
Unfortunately, with common video conferencing solutions, we have to deal with a number of cables – to the computer, projector, screen, etc. Fortunately, the KoiBox-100W just needs to be connected to a display device and a network. Subsequently, it can create up to a four-way video conference through the QNAP NAS with the KoiMeeter app and mobile phones with the application of the same name. Of course, in addition to the aforementioned cloud platforms (Teams, Meet, etc.), there is also support for SIP systems such as Avaya or Polycom. As for wireless projection, people in a conference room, for example, can watch the screen on an HDMI display without the need for another computer, which would otherwise have to mediate the transmission.
As a proper video conferencing system, it must not lack the support of mobile phones, which we have already lightly hinted at in the paragraph above. In this case, the ease of use of the mobile application is worth noting KoiMeeter for iOS, in which you only need to scan the QR code generated by the KoiBox-100W device and the connection will be initialized practically immediately. At the same time, automatic call answering is also an important function. This can be especially useful in workplaces where the employee most of the time does not have free hands to normally receive a call, for which he would have to leave work. Thanks to this, the video call turns on by itself, which significantly facilitates communication in companies, possibly also with elderly people. Other Insight View features will do the same. This allows meeting participants to remotely watch the presentation on their computers.
Emphasis on security
It is also crucial for many companies to have all their video conferences recorded and to be able to return to them if necessary. In this respect, it is pleasing that the KoiBox-100W is, in a way, a regular computer with its own computing power. Specifically, it offers an Intel Celeron processor with 4 GB of RAM (DDR4 type), while there is also a 2,5" slot for a SATA 6 Gb/s disk, a 1GbE RJ45 LAN connector, 4 USB 3.2 Gen 2 (Type-A) ports, output HDMI 1.4 and mentioned Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax). In combination with HDD/SDD, the solution can also store videos and audio from individual meetings.
In general, the device is based on the concept of a private cloud and therefore places a major emphasis on privacy and security. The very best wireless connection quality can be achieved when used with a router QHora-301W. In the end, the KoiBox-100W can ensure flawlessly functioning video conferences in companies and households, and at the same time significantly simplify communication across various platforms.
