7 Ways for Seniors to Improve Video Calls (Part 2)

In 2021, video calls are necessary for staying in touch with family and friends. That’s why it is so important that each call has the best possible quality. Following last month’s article, here are 3 more tips to improve your video calls: limit the number of people on your call, turn the volume up, and use Wi-Fi.

 

Limit the Number of People on the Call

One of the greatest difficulties with video calls is losing connection or having poor connection. This issue increases when the number of people on the call increases. If multiple people in one house are on the same call, they are each using Wi-Fi. Wi-Fi uses broadband signal—a set amount of signal sent out to the house to be used.
The more people using the Wi-Fi at the same time, the weaker the signal will be for each device since the broadband has to be split several ways. When this happens, it is very easy for calls to be dropped. The best way to improve call quality is to limit the number of devices connected to the Wi-Fi at the same time.

 

Use Wi-Fi Instead of Data

Speaking of Wi-Fi, using Wi-Fi instead of data allows for seamless streaming and service for the video calls. Data can easily go out due to location and telephone service, whereas Wi-Fi is more consistent, and should a problem occur, it is easier to fix.
If you have a limited data plan, most plans will run on slower speeds once the limit has been met. On Wi-Fi, cellular data is not used, so you do not have to worry about exceeding your data limit. The one caveat to this rule is that Wi-Fi does have limits depending on your internet provider. Before making video calls, make sure your local internet provider has a plan strong enough for video calls. The last thing you want is to make video calls and exceed your internet usage limit!

 

Turn the Volume Up

The last thing to do when speaking on a video call is to turn the volume up. Starting the call with the volume turned all the way up makes for easy listening and allows for proper adjustment afterwards.

One of the most difficult things about video calls is not being able to hear the person clearly. This problem can be solved by simply turning the volume all the way up. However, the use of volume should be adjusted to the setting and the user’s hearing ability. It would be rude and inappropriate to blast the volume when sitting in a restaurant or in the middle of a store.

 

Gone are the days of only being able to hear a loved one’s voice. In 2021, it is possible to hear and see your loved ones all the time because of technology. Technology has improved our lives in more ways than we can fathom. Let’s take advantage of these opportunities and connect with those closest to us.

7 Ways Seniors Can Improve Video Calls (Part 1)

seniors looking and video call

One of the greatest lessons we learned from 2020 was how to use technology to our advantage. Programs like Facetime and Zoom brought families and friends close together when distance and safety inhibited gatherings. While there is nothing better than physically being next to your loved ones, technology has proven it can help strengthen relationships from afar. However, programs like Facetime and Zoom can be a bit tricky to use. In the next two posts, we will cover 7 ways to improve your special moments with family and friends via Facetime and Zoom. Here are our first four tips to improve call quality:

 

Use a computer for your Facetime and Zoom calls

One of the best ways to improve your call quality is to use a computer for your Facetime and Zoom calls. When using Facetime and Zoom on a computer, the screen will remain stationary and the speaker on the computer will be conveniently targeted towards the person. Additionally, the screen is typically bigger on a computer, so it will be easier to see the loved one with whom you are speaking—which is what these calls are all about! Click here for step-by-step instructions.

 

Turning up the brightness on your phone

Turning up the brightness on your phone and moving to a well-lit area will help you see the people with whom you are speaking. These often overlooked and underappreciated adjustments for Facetime and Zoom calls will increase the quality of your call tremendously. There is a level of trust and familiarity that comes with being able to see the person with whom you are speaking.

 

Using a stand greatly improves Facetime and Zoom calls

In the event a computer is not available, being able to properly prop up your phone or tablet will help improve your calls.Many phone cases come with built-in stands, and tablet cases can be bought where the screen cover converts to a stand. Using a stand greatly improves Facetime and Zoom calls because it stabilizes the camera and lets the user speak more comfortably.

 

Having your phone or computer approximately two feet away from your face

As people are slowly making their way back to working in the office again, properly using Facetime and Zoom on the go is a must-have skill! It is common to see people holding their phones incredibly close to their face when on a Facetime and Zoom call. However, this is not the best way to have a call! Having your phone or computer approximately two feet away from your face allows for your entire face and torso to be in the frame. Likewise, when you have several people trying to talk to another person, having the phone or tablet extended out about two feet allows for everyone to be in the frame.

 

The last thing you want to experience when calling your loved one is a shaky and dark video. These four tips will greatly improve the call quality with your loved ones when used simultaneously. Make sure your next Facetime or Zoom call is spent saying “I love you” and not “Hold on… I can’t see you!” Spend less time dealing with technology issues and more time talking with your family.