On Topic Episode 77: Sorta traditional Zoom-enabled classroom type room

Written By AVSF

Recorded August 14, 2026

What’s the one true, correct way to build a BYOM classroom? Naturally, the AV SuperFriends all agree… and come up with several. Justin brings a real-world challenge: two teaching spaces where instructors need essentially the same conferencing experience whether they use the installed room PC or a laptop over USB-C, and expect everything to just work.

That kicks off a debate over NDI, Dante, AVoIP, HDBaseT, docking stations, camera switching, control systems, power delivery, and how much complexity should be hiding behind a supposedly simple user experience. Several workable approaches emerge, ranging from elegant network-based designs to a suspiciously compelling $900 solution that is obviously the best one.

Do they settle on the definitive higher-ed BYOM standard? Absolutely not. But we do narrow the field, spend plenty of imaginary budget dollars, argue about confidence monitors and enterprise networks, and leave Justin with several options to test, which is probably the closest this group is ever going to get to consensus.

Solutions presented:


Alternate show titles:

  • That’s going to be longer than the Bible

  • I’m going to pick a winner and go with it

  • It doesn’t matter if it’s Zoom or Teams

  • That’s no-go; that’s not happening

  • It’s either-or

  • You have that Kansas City money

  • Don’t worry about the ask, Marc!

  • I’m more comfortable with my thing

  • Nearly the same exact setup process

  • You can’t call time!

  • There’s some strugglebus

  • I have the power figured out

  • I would dabble down the road…

  • We have to make sure all the Legos are the right type

  • This one has a budget, but I don’t know what it is

  • This is why we have these shows

  • 900 bucks

  • I’m not throwing top dollar

  • H.323 people + content crap

  • What happens if I don’t want my students to see my notes on the back screen

  • I might be able to squeeze that in

  • I don’t know if I like it yet or not

  • The big network

  • I don’t know what my heart wants

  • I’m in this dirty bucket of filth

We stream live every Friday at about 315p Eastern/1215p Pacific and you can listen to everything we record over at AVSuperFriends.com 

▀▄▀▄▀ CONTACT LINKS ▀▄▀▄▀

► Website:https://www.avsuperfriends.com

► Twitter: https://twitter.com/avsuperfriends

► LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/avsuperfriends

► YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@avsuperfriends

► Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/avsuperfriends.bsky.social

► Email: mailbag@avsuperfriends.com

► RSS: https://avsuperfriends.libsyn.com/rss

Donate to AVSF: https://www.avsuperfriends.com/support

AVSF
Next

Off the Rails Episode 144: We’re not changing the conversation to make me look dumb again