Six Simple Steps to Improve Video Quality
(Without calling your internet provider)
Photo by John Schnobrich on Unsplash
Did you know that having an online piano lesson is a lot like making a TV show (without a production crew?) Why? Because little things we may not even notice live can impact a video stream. Technology has made this process much more user friendly, but sometimes issues creep in that cause us frustration. Would you like to improve the quality of your live, online piano lessons? Was the audio delayed or the picture less than clear? Read on for simple steps to improve your lesson quality so you can focus on making music.
Before we start, please keep in mind that there are numerous variables that affect video lesson quality. Some are easy to fix (and free), others are more complex and may require more tech savvy. This post will address the basics. Simple changes are often all that is required for a HUGE improvement.
Pre-Lesson Checklist
Am I using the most current electronic device at my disposal? Technology processing speed improves exponentially with each release, especially in the area of streaming.
Am I using the latest update on my device? Am I using the latest update on my videoconferencing software? Software is fluid and often interdependent. Keeping devices updated prevents bugs and glitches from dragging down efficiency.
Am I running any other apps in the background? Closing other windows on your PC or iPad frees up processing speed much needed for streaming video feeds. (Sometimes students find they have over 20 windows open...)
Is anyone else in my household streaming or working online at the same time? Depending on your bandwidth, you may need to be the only person online during your video conference lesson. (Especially if the other person is watching Netflix!)
Are there other activities going on in the background? Any external noise and video (conversations, ringing doorbells, even rustling papers or footsteps) adds to the processing required by your device and software. Try to keep your background as quiet and calm as possible, especially if you are using the built in microphone on your device.
Is my device plugged in? Especially if you are using a laptop, running on battery power only can also affect the processing speed.
Before your next lesson, why not try to complete this checklist? You may be pleasantly surprised at how much your online lesson quality improves. If you are still experiencing less than desirable audio/video quality, please let us know so we can help! Enjoy your lesson!