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Improving poor video quality

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Zoom has many built-in features to improve video and picture quality, as well as enhance video conferencing with Virtual Backgrounds and filters. These settings allow for a better meeting, webinar, and remote work experience, as well as allow hosts and participants to add some flair to their video.

Additionally, account owners and admins can upload custom filters for their users.

This article covers steps to improve poor video and picture quality, including:

Prerequisites for high-quality Zoom videos

Touch up my appearance, HD video, and Virtual Background features

  • Zoom desktop client
    • Windows: 5.2.0 (42619.0804) or higher
    • macOS: 5.2.0 (42634.0805) or higher
  • Zoom mobile app
    • iOS: 5.2.0 (42611.0804) or higher

Lighting adjustment feature

  • Zoom desktop client
    • Windows: 5.2.0 (42619.0804) or higher
    • macOS: 5.2.0 (42634.0805) or higher

Video filters feature

  • Windows
    • Zoom desktop client, version 5.2.0 (42619.0804) or higher
    • 64-bit operating system
    • Supported processors: 
      • Intel: 4th generation or higher i3, i5, i7, i9 processor
      • AMD: Ryzen 3, 5, 7, 9 processor
  • macOS
    • Zoom desktop client, version 5.2.0 (42634.0805) or higher
    • macOS 10.13 or higher
    • Supported processors: 
      • Intel: 4th generation or higher i3, i5, i7, i9 processor
      • AMD: Ryzen 3, 5, 7, 9 processor
  • iOS
    • Zoom mobile app, 5.5.0 or higher
    • iOS version 11.0 or higher
    • iPad 2017 (A9) or higher 
    • iPhone 8 (A9) or higher
  • Android

Studio Effects feature

  • Zoom desktop client
    • Windows: 5.3.0 (52670.0921) or higher
    • macOS: 5.3.0 (52651.0920) or higher

How to improve meeting video and picture quality

Enable HD video

Our HD video capabilities allow you to experience high-resolution video conferencing.

Note: Due to recent events with COVID-19, meetings in 720p-quality video are only available to Pro account users or higher, and only for meetings with a maximum of 2 participants; 1080p quality is for special-use cases currently. For more information, please see our requirements for Group HD.

You can enable HD video, to utilize 720p or 1080p for high-quality video when in a meeting or a webinar. To enable HD video in your Zoom client:

  1. In the Zoom desktop client, click your profile picture, then click Settings .
  2. Click the Video  tab.
  3. Click HD.

Note: Even with the setting enabled, your device must meet the bandwidth requirements as well. 

Adjust for low light

Zoom’s low light settings allow you to combat poor lighting conditions during remote video conferences by brightening your video in dark environments.

  1. In the Zoom desktop client, click your profile picture then click Settings .
  2. Click the Video  tab.
  3. Enable Adjust for low light.
  4. By default, the setting will be set to Auto. However, you can select Manual, and adjust the setting to the desired effect.

Touch up my appearance

The Touch up my appearance feature gives your picture display a softer focus and enhances your digital appearance in real-time.

  1. In the Zoom desktop client, click your profile picture then click Settings.
  2. Click the Video tab.
  3. Click Touch up my appearance.
  4. Use the slider to adjust the effect.

Zoom remembers your preference and uses it the next time you start or join a meeting on this computer.

iOS

  1. On your Zoom app, tap Settings .
  2. Tap Meetings.
  3. Tap Touch up my appearance.
  4. Toggle this option to display your video with and without the touch up.
  5. Use the slider to adjust the effect.

Zoom remembers your preference and uses it the next time you start or join a meeting on this device.

Apply video filters

Video filters use a variety of overlays, color filters, and other custom video frames during meetings and webinars - all within the Zoom desktop client and mobile app.

  1. Sign in to the Zoom desktop client.
  2. Click your profile picture and then click Settings .
  3. Click the Background & Filters tab.
  4. Click the Video Filters tab.
  5. Select the desired filter.

Android | iOS

  1. Sign in to the Zoom mobile app.
  2. While in a Zoom meeting, tap More in the controls.
  3. Tap Background and Filters, then select the Filters tab. 
  4. Tap the filter you wish to use. 
  5. (Optional) Tap the Apply to all meetings option to continue using this filter for all meetings joined on this device. 
  6. When finished selecting a filter, tap the X to return to the meeting. 

Use virtual backgrounds

The Virtual Background feature allows you to display an image or video as your background during a Zoom Meeting. This feature works best with a green screen and uniform lighting, to allow Zoom to detect the difference between you and your background.

Apply studio effects

The Studio Effects feature allows you to apply eyebrows, mustache or beard, and lip color filters as part of your video appearance. 

  1. Sign in to the Zoom desktop client.
  2. Click your profile picture and then click Settings .
  3. Click the Background & Filters  tab.
  4. Click Studio Effects in the lower-right corner.
  5. Choose your desired settings from the Eyebrows, Mustache & Beard, and Lip Color sections.
  6. Select or deselect the Apply to all future meetings check box.
  7. Click Close.

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