Determine Your Needs

Consider your meeting type, location and available resources to select appropriate tools and equipment for your meetings.

1. Type of Meeting - How will you be using iMEET? For example: to hold online office hours with your students, for an online lecture, to meet with colleagues at other universities, to meet with department staff members, used by students to meet and work on group projects, etc.
2. Location of the Meeting - Are you meeting from your office, in a classroom, from home, other location?
3. Existing Available Resources - What resources are already available to you and your meeting participants? For example, if you are doing a demonstration in a computer lab on campus, it may already be equipped with speakers and headphones. However, if you are meeting from your office or other location you may not have access to a headset or webcam and maybe your students may not have access to a computer.

Before purchasing any type of equipment, assess your use of iMEET and how participants will be accessing the sessions you create.

Where to Purchase

Equipment can be found in most computer and office supply stores or retail stores. The following list provides links to several of these online and retail stores:

Online Office Supply Stores

• NewEgg.com
  http://www.newegg.com
• CDW
  http://www.cdw.com
• Tech Depot
  http://www.techdepot.com
  

Office Supply Stores (Store and Online)

• Office Depot
  http://www.officedepot.com
• Office Max
  http://www.officemax.com
• Staples
  http://www.staples.com

Retail stores (Store and Online)

• Amazon
  http://www.amazon.com
• Target
  http://www.target.com
• Walmart
  http://www.walmart.com

Audio Equipment

There are several ways you can receive audio and transmit voice during an iMEET session. Using a headset to do both, combining headphones and a microphone, speakers and microphone or using a speakerphone.

Headsets

A unit that combines earphones and microphone in one to receive and transmit both audio and voice. When choosing a headset consider the following factors:

• Single or Double Ear Piece style
• USB or 3.5 mm connection
• Over the head, behind-the-neck or over-the-ear designs
• Placement of microphone - external or internal design
• Compatibility with your computer operating system

Headset Examples

• Logitech ClearChat Comfort - USB
• Logitech Premium Stereo Headset - 3.5mm
• CNET List of Headsets

Headphones and Microphone

Use headphones to listen to audio and microphone to transmit voice. Alike headsets consider the design, connection type and compatibility with computer operating system.

Headphones and Microphone Examples

• Logitech Labtec Note 502B Deluxe Stereo Headphones
• Logitech Noise Canceling Headphones
• Logitech USB Desktop Microphone
• Azden EX 503 Microphone
• CNET List of Headphones
• CNET List of Microphones

Speakers and Microphone

Speakers allow you to listen to incoming audio and can be combined with a microphone to transmit voice. Most desktop computers come with a basic set of speakers and laptops already have integrated speakers. However, you may need separate speakers with better quality depending on your meeting type.

Speakers and Microphone Examples

• CA-2100 2PC Speaker System 8W
• Cyber Acoustics CA-5001
• CNET List of Speakers

Speakerphone Examples

• Duet Executive USB Speakerphone
• Logitech QuickCall USB VoIP Speakerphone
• CNET List of Speakerphones
• VOIP Supply

Product Reviews

CNET Reviews
Provides advice, reviews, range of prices and links to online stores for a variety of hardware and software.

Video Equipment

Web Cameras

Used to transmit and receive video. Most newer laptops have webcams integrated, however they can be purchased separately for desktop computers and older laptops.

Web Camera Examples

• Logitech QuickCam Pro 9000 (for desktop and notebook use)
• Logitech QuickCam for Notebooks Pro (compatible with PC and Mac)
• CNET List of Web Cameras