Review: How intelligent is Jabra’s new video conferencing tool?

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• Jabra PanaCast 20 uses a premium 13-megapixel camera that produces real-time 4K Ultra-HD image.
• The high-resolution 4K camera is quite costly for its quality.

Let’s say a multinational company with offices in several different countries frequently holds video conferences with team members and clients to collaborate on projects and make decisions. However, the company has struggled to find a video conferencing tool that provides a natural and engaging experience for all participants.

This kind of problem isn’t uncommon. It is worth noting that the corporate, healthcare and educational sectors are consistently expanding in APAC countries. Technology is increasing at an impressive rate in the industries mentioned above, and demand for video conference solutions is rising in every meeting space, not just in executive boardrooms.

The APAC market for video conferencing was valued at US$ 1,383.5 million in 2019 and is anticipated to rise to US$ 3,432.4 million by 2027, at a CAGR of 11.4%.

Also, the region’s rapidly expanding remote office, home office, and coworking space cultures encourage people to integrate video conferencing solutions into their systems.

Hence, Tech Wire Asia decided to review a relatively new video conferencing camera that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to provide an enhanced video conferencing experience – the Jabra PanaCast 20 – on how it can benefit users.

Jabra is a Danish company specializing in producing both wired and wireless speakerphones, earbuds, and headphones. They have won numerous honors for their products and are well known for their unique designs and high-quality audio devices. In addition to their consumer products, Jabra offers business solutions for companies, including headsets for call centers and office settings. They are a popular option for personal and professional use because of their comfort, durability, and superb sound quality.

Let’s talk about what this camera is being marketed for:

What can Jabra’s videoconferencing tool do?

Intelligent zoom

The Jabra PanaCast 20 uses advanced algorithms to optimize the image quality in real time, ensuring that the video looks as good as possible under a wide range of lighting conditions. Not to mention that the PanaCast utilizes a premium 13-megapixel camera that produces real-time 4K Ultra-HD image, enabling a seamless and lag-free video experience.

The AI-powered Intelligent Zoom follows the user’s motions and adjusts the image in real-time to keep them in the center of the frame so they don’t have to remain stationary.

Intelligent lighting correction

After a couple of tests, this quite a helpful feature as it can optimize the image quality in real-time by automatically adjusting the white balance and exposure of the captured video. This feature helps to ensure that the video looks natural and consistent, even in challenging lighting conditions.

Tech Wire Asia saw that intelligent lighting correction works by analyzing the video in real time and identifying the areas of the frame that are too bright or too dark. It then adjusts the white balance and exposure of the video to compensate for these imbalances, resulting in a more balanced and natural-looking image.

Easy to use

The Jabra PanaCast 20 is easy to set up and use, with a simple plug-and-play installation process and a user-friendly interface.

No, really, it is easy to use. Use the included 1.5m/5ft USB cord to connect a computer directly to the Jabra PanaCast camera. The camera can then be mounted on the top of a monitor or laptop by using the adjustable mounting bracket.

Instead of just firing up the video conference and enjoying great quality video experiences, a user can also download and install the Jabra Direct software available for Windows and macOS to access the advanced features.

In this software, a user can play around with the image quality settings – like brightness, contrast, sharpness, enabling and disabling the intelligent zoom and much more.

In addition to improving the quality of the meetings, the Jabra PanaCast 20 also helps to increase productivity. The team can stay more focused and engaged during meetings, leading to more productive discussions and better decision-making. The built-in whiteboard and display allow the team to share and collaborate on ideas and documents in real-time, further improving collaboration and productivity.

Does it have a downside?

It’s quite pricey

There is a drawback to consider. One disadvantage is the price, as the Jabra PanaCast 20 is somewhat expensive compared to other video cameras on the market. This could be a disadvantage for businesses with limited budgets or those that only occasionally use videoconferencing.

It is currently selling at US$ 422.81 through Jabra authorized resellers or via Jabra direct.

Who gets the benefit of using the PanaCast 20?

For someone whose work environment at home is dark since their desk is relatively far from the window or doesn’t receive as much sunlight, the PanaCast 20 should do the trick. After a few tests, it became evident that it wasn’t simply marketing and that the built-in AI does, in fact, offer intelligent lighting optimization.

What makes the camera even cooler is that it would be helpful in a presentation setting. What does that mean? Let’s just say that a user wanted to showcase something they drew or wrote on a whiteboard that’s placed behind them just about 2-5 feet away. The intelligent zoom picture can do a close-up on them as they move towards the whiteboard behind them, ensuring that the user is always at the center of the frame and actively participate in the conversation.

How does the PanaCast 20 compare with other videoconferencing tools?

When it comes to video conferencing and streaming, having a high-quality webcam is essential. Whether for work meetings, online classes, or just staying connected with friends and family, a good webcam can make all the difference. Jabra PanaCast 20 isn’t the only one available in the market. Here are some other alternatives to consider.

The first one is the Razer Kiyo Pro, a professional-grade webcam designed for video conferencing and streaming. It has a built-in ring light and a 1080p HD camera to capture high-definition video, and the device also contains a camera for taking still photos. The Kiyo Pro also features a built-in microphone that records crystal-clear audio, and it works with Windows Hello, which enables facial recognition for computer logins.

Next is the Poly Studio P5, another professional-grade webcam designed for video conferencing and streaming. It has a 1080p HD camera that produces high-quality video and a built-in microphone that records clear sounds. A user can change the background of their video in real-time using the automated background replacement feature supported by Studio P5, which can track a user’s face and follow them around the room.

When comparing these 2 products’ prices to those of the PanaCast 20, they are significantly less expensive. Currently, the Razer Kiyo Pro costs $US 189, while the Poly Studio P5 costs $US 160.

It’s worth noting that these prices are subject to change and may vary depending on location and other factors.

Of course, the purpose of these comparisons is not to show which product is superior. It is merely an illustration of many options that a user might consider depending on their specific needs and budgets.

Conclusion.

Overall, the Jabra PanaCast 20 is a powerful and feature-rich video camera that is well-suited for video conferencing and live streaming. While it may be somewhat expensive and doesn’t seem like it produces 4K, its high resolution, wide field of view, and real-time transmission make it a worthwhile investment for those who need a high-quality video camera.

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