11 April 2017

Yamaha subsidiary Revolabs has introduced a portable conference phone which it says is optimised for use by small groups.

Unlike many other user-carried devices, the company claims the YVC-300 delivers ample sound to fill huddle rooms and small conference spaces so that participants do not have to hover around the phone struggling to hear. It is said to deliver the highest volume in its class among USB powered speakerphones.

Revolabs reckons the device is a perfect choice for organisations that want to offer high-quality group communications without the cost of dedicated equipment for every conference room or open collaboration space. Users can simply borrow a YVC-300 from an available supply and return it at the end of the meeting.

There are three connection options: PC-based audio, video and web conferencing supported over USB; analogue audio input and output terminals linked to video conferencing systems; and smartphones and tablets connected over Bluetooth to use the YVC-300 as the microphone and speaker.

It also supports fast pairing for NFC-enabled devices. Calls placed simultaneously over any of the connection interfaces are bridged into a single call.

Revolabs says that Yamaha’s sound processing technologies ensure clear, stress-free audio for meetings.

They include: adaptive echo cancellation; automatic gain control which adjusts loud and quiet sounds to the optimal volume; automatic tracking of the direction of the voice of the speaker; background noise reduction (for example, from a projector or air conditioning); and automatic voice detection.

The recommended range for microphone pick up is 1.5 metres up to a maximum of three metres. The YVC-300 measures 235mmx226mmx46mm and weighs 800 grams, and is supplied with a three metre USB cable.