Zooming with the nSynC-2UE

With office work becoming more digital, it’s often necessary to hold meetings remotely via video conferencing. Since the pandemic, this need has increased. According to Sonary.com, the global video conferencing market is expected to grow to US$22.5 billion by 2026.

LAVA SimulCharge adapters can help you take advantage of this growing trend. A LAVA adapter can turn your tablet into a versatile solution for Zoom and other video conferencing apps. They provide a more cost-effective solution than turnkey system from competitors. This article looks at the use case of combining LAVA’s nSynC-2UE adapter, a Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite (SM-T220) and a Google Chromecast for hooking it up wirelessly to a monitor.

Using the Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite to Zoom

The Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite is an entry-level 8.7-inch tablet with modest specifications. The 2.3 GHz octa-core tablet uses a 1,340 x 800-pixel (WXGA+) TFT display. This screen offers a good-quality image for video conferencing. It starts at 32 GB of storage and 2 GB of RAM. (There is also a 64 GB model with 4 GB of RAM available in the U.S.)

The tablet comes with a 2 MP fixed-focus front camera and an 8 MP rear camera. While these cameras aren’t exactly video production quality, they are perfectly sufficient for a standard video call. 

How the LAVA nSynC-2UE can enhance video conferencing

The nSynC-2UE comes with an Ethernet port, allowing for a wired connection to the internet. This is invaluable for video conferencing. Wi-Fi or mobile data can sometimes provide a fast connection, they aren’t as fast or as reliable as Ethernet. If you’re calling a client in another part of the world, you’ll want to ensure to it doesn’t drop out. The adapter’s two USB-A ports allows you to add a microphone, speaker and other accessroies.

You can access Zoom, Teams and other video call apps directly on the tablet. However, you may prefer to connect it to a monitor or TV in a boardroom for a larger image. The Tab A7 Lite does not have an HDMI port to connect it with the second display. The best option is to use a third-party HDMI dongle, such as Google Chromecast.

Add in a Google Chromecast to cast Zoom to a large screen

Once you have plugged in the Chromecast device to the TV, open the Google Home app on the tablet. From there, you have the ability to mirror the tablet’s display onto the television. Then, go into Zoom (or any other app) and its contents will be streamed from the tablet to the TV. The Chromecast and tablet must be connected to the same network for the mirroring to work. Chromecast will be connecting wirelessly. However, you can connect the tablet to the network either through its Wi-Fi chip or the nSynC-2UE adapter’s wired Ethernet.

If the monitor is a smart TV, you may be able to mirror your tablet’s screen directly instead. Samsung mobile devices, for example, can use the built-in Smart View app to share content to other Samsung smart devices. There are also other third-party alternatives for mirroring but Chromecast is one of the easiest devices to set up.

How our setup differs from the competitors

This setup varies from turnkey solutions from Poly, Neat or Logitech, which are Zoom’s recommended hardware partners. For applications, such as Zoom Rooms, these companies offer solutions that don’t need to connect to an external device.

These products feature touchscreen controllers, with displays roughly the same size as the A7 Lite. They can sit on a conference room table. However, the main device is usually a sound bar or hub. It’s essentially a replacement for a PC or mobile device. It connects to the TV or monitor with an HDMI cable. It accesses the internet either wirelessly or through Ethernet. The touchscreen is basically a remote. It usually pairs with the hub or sound bar/hub via Bluetooth or connects over the same network connection. While these setups can offer some convenience, the price can be quite high and the interface can be a little limiting.

In our suggested use case, the tablet is not just a controller but actually hosts the video conferencing app. It will display the video call on both the tablet and the monitor. If you add a keyboard and mouse, you can control it while looking at the larger monitor. This also lets you take advantage of the video conferencing app’s chat screen. You can also flip the tablet and use the tablet’s 8 MP main camera to broadcast higher-quality video.

Upgrade to the LAVA nSynC-vc2UE for more tablet placement options

If you’re looking for a bit more versatility on where to install the tablet, you could upgrade to the nSynC-vc2UE. This adapter has all the features of the 2UE but includes a built-in voltage converter.  The adapter can be placed up to 50 ft (15 m) from the power source. This might be necessary if there isn’t an electrical outlet nearby. It uses a thin cable so it can be set up to run along the wall, avoiding any tripping hazards.

A solid video conferencing solution

Combined with the Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite tablet, the LAVA‘s nSynC-2UE is a good option for video conferencing. The adapter has an Ethernet port for a reliable network connection and two USB-A ports for accessories. This allows for greater control over the app. Add in a Google Chromecast and you can easily mirror the tablet’s screen to a monitor for a larger view. Upgrading to an nSynC-vc2UE adds a built-in voltage converter, providing more options on where to place the tablet. Find out more about these adapters on LAVA’s website.