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I'm trying to get the camera as close to my eye level and direction as possible when I'm in a video call and looking at someone else.
If anybody else is interested in this type of thing: GoPro8 now has usb-webcam functionality (with special firmware and driver) it only goes up to 1080p (and not larger) and always wide-angle. It's better than having to buy/source a capture card especially if you already have a Hero 8. Last I tried (about 2 weeks ago) 1080p had a interesting/unwanted slo-mo effect in Meetup but it was fine on the 720p setting. DCRainmaker has a post about this feature.
disq
Yeah, I'm trying to get the camera as close to my eye level and direction as possible when I'm in a video call and looking at someone else. It makes a huge difference on their experience, whether they think I'm engaged and listening to them.
I think the best way to do 2nd displays is to only ever do video calls on the smaller display with the camera either integrated or placed as close to the screen as possible.
Further, I think that looking at documents, etc should require a noticeable turn of the head, or to look down or up... outside of the direction of view of the person in video conference. Precisely so that the times at which you do check documents, graphs, data during a call have their place, and that when I'm looking in their direction they know I really am focused on them and no-one and nothing else.
Video conferencing is a user experience problem, the user is the remote viewer and it's up to us to shape their experience.
This is also why I don't wish the 2nd monitor to dominate the experience I have... for then I make the remote person secondary. So my MBP screen will stay my primary and be in the most comfortable position for me, and a second display won't be significantly larger and will require me to turn my head... it will be the second display.
I still like the thought of the iPad Pro 11/12.9 for this. I'd spend £1k on a second display made by Apple and matching the size, colours and experience of the MBP display. i.e. change the brightness on the MBP and it adjusts both, drag a photo from one display to the other and the colours remain the same, text is equally readable in both, etc. The annoying thing about the iPad is that once you're £1k in, it seems obvious to upgrade the specs to make it capable by itself, and then it's no longer £1k, throw the pencil in and it's really increased.
But as the iPad Pro is an IPS True Tone display of almost identical spec to the MBP this is probably what I will buy once I quit dithering over the decision. The only difference is in brightness 500 nits vs 600 nits. I actually imagine a miniature artists easel being the stand so that I can put it the same height and angle to the MBP screen.