---
title: "Upgrading UConn Room with USB Camera"
canonical: "https://kb.uconn.edu/space/IKB/26093518857/Upgrading%20UConn%20Room%20with%20USB%20Camera"
format: markdown
---
### Introduction
Video conferencing technology has evolved a great deal since 2020. Before then, video conferencing at UConn was almost entirely conducted by dedicated devices in each room. These physical devices can be compared to landline phones: they were permanently installed in rooms and communicated through a central bridge (call manager) located in the data center. These devices can only call each other and Webex.
Now, almost all conferencing is web-based: handled by servers off campus that are reached through the internet. Desktop and Mobile applications have seen major upgrades and have outgrown the need for physical devices in UConn rooms. Now, you may conduct a call (world-wide) directly from your laptop or mobile device.
Consequently, the aging physical devices in UConn rooms are being removed and replaced with cameras that appear to your laptop as a regular webcam. Since these cameras appear as regular webcams, they can be used in any computer program (Webex, Teams, Zoom, Camera app, etc).
> ✅ To learn how to use these cameras, visit: [https://uconn.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/TL/pages/10889560316](https://uconn.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/TL/pages/10889560316)
### Diagrams
Looking at these diagrams, the simplicity of the new setup is clear. Removing a device from the chain reduces the potential points of failure.
Old setup in a call
Old setup not in call
New setup in call
New setup not in call
