The Department of Geography has available through GNP IT a couple of Meeting Owl devices. The Meeting Owl is a videoconferencing device that provides a full-room camera with the ability to automatically track and zoom in on meeting participants when they are talking, as well as a microphone array and built-in speakers. The Meeting Owl can be helpful for large group meetings and discussion groups.

Owl layout

• The volume controls adjust the volume of the Owl's internal speakers.
• The power cord and USB cable plug into the underside of the Meeting Owl, and cords run through the channel in the base.
• The Expansion Mic port has a small cover over it. Unplug the cover if you need to access the port. Please be sure to plug the cover back in when you are done.
• We do not recommend using the multi-purpose button. This changes the operating mode of the Meeting Owl and may mess up how your meeting is presented.

Setting up

1. Place the Meeting Owl depending on the size and layout of your meeting:
   • For a small meeting room or group of 2-4 people, place the Owl in the center of the table, at least 18 inches from the TV.
   • For a medium-sized group (less than 20 feet front to back), place the Owl in the center of the table, at least 3 feet from the TV but no more than 10 feet from the farthest participant.
   • For a larger group:
     1. Place the Owl toward one end of the table, at least 18 inches from the TV but no more than 10 feet from the farthest participant at that end.
     2. Remove the Expansion Mic Port cover from the Owl.
     3. Plug the mic cable into the expansion mic and the Owl.
     4. Place the Expansion Mic at least 6 feet away from the Meeting Owl and no more than 10 feet from the farthest participant at the other end of the table.
     5. Make sure the Expansion Mic is turned away from the Meeting Owl. The cable/port end should be pointed toward the Meeting Owl.
2. Connect the Meeting Owl's USB cord into the computer that will be running the meeting.
3. Plug in the Meeting Owl's power adapter. Wait until the Owl's eyes stop pulsing and you hear a hoot.
4. Start your meeting, and set the Meeting Owl as your speaker, microphone, and camera.
   • Support page from Owl Labs on how to start a meeting
     • Teams (Windows)
     • Teams (Mac)
     • Zoom
     • Webex

During the meeting

• The Meeting Owl will automatically read where people are sitting in the room. It may take a few seconds to process when someone enters or moves in the room.
• The Meeting Owl will automatically change to focus on who is speaking. It may take a few seconds for the Owl to change focus to a new speaker.

After the meeting

1. Exit from your meeting.
2. Unplug the Meeting Owl's power adapter and the USB cable from the Owl to the computer.
3. If you used the Expansion Mic, unplug the cable from the Expansion Mic and the Owl. Please be sure to plug the Expansion Mic Port cover back into the Owl.
4. Pack the equipment back into its carrying bag:
   • Meeting Owl in the main center pocket
   • Power supply and USB cable in one side pocket (unplug the AC cable from the power brick if necessary to fit in the pocket)
   • Expansion mic and cable in the other side pocket
5. Return the Meeting Owl to the GNP IT offices.