[Lex Computer & Tech Group/LCTG] [Lex] OWL

Wed Feb 4 07:23:58 PST 2026

Our use case is a little different.  We are looking primarily to record lifelong learning class sessions so that students who have to miss some sessions can watch them later.  It’s important to capture all the sound, less important to capture who is talking.  We assume a Zoom session in which there is one computer in the classroom that is displaying the presenter’s slides on a projection screen and recording the sound and video capture.  The classroom holds up to 21 people seated around tables set together as an oval. 

The projection screen will be showing what is in the Zoom slide presentation, so no need for a camera to see the screen.  Also, we have microphones on the tables that soft-spoken individuals can use.  These feed into a classroom speaker.  Is it likely that an OWL or a pair of OWLs can handle this situation?

Thanks,

Carl

Carl Lazarus

 <mailto:carllazarus at comcast.net> carllazarus at comcast.net

617-964-7241

From: jjrudy1 at comcast.net <jjrudy1 at comcast.net> 
Sent: Tuesday, February 3, 2026 6:42 PM
To: harry at forsdick.com; 'arnold peterson' <alp4982 at gmail.com>
Cc: 'Lex Computer Group' <LCTG at lists.toku.us>; lex at lex.groups.io; carllazarus at comcast.net
Subject: RE: [Lex Computer & Tech Group/LCTG] [Lex] OWL

Thanks.  That is similar to the anecdotal info I have found.

john

John Rudy

781-861-0402

781-718-8334  cell

13 Hawthorne Lane

Bedford MA

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From: Harry Forsdick <forsdick at gmail.com <mailto:forsdick at gmail.com> > 
Sent: Tuesday, February 3, 2026 6:39 PM
To: arnold peterson <alp4982 at gmail.com <mailto:alp4982 at gmail.com> >
Cc: jjrudy1 at comcast.net <mailto:jjrudy1 at comcast.net> ; Lex Computer Group <LCTG at lists.toku.us <mailto:LCTG at lists.toku.us> >; lex at lex.groups.io <mailto:lex at lex.groups.io> 
Subject: Re: [Lex Computer & Tech Group/LCTG] [Lex] OWL

Perplexity:

Q:  Are meeting owls suitable for meetings with a speaker and a large hybrid audience

A: Meeting Owls (including top models like 3 and 4+) are not ideal for speakers facing a large number of in-room users (e.g., 20+ attendees). They excel in small hybrid Zoom setups but struggle with scale.

Capacity Limits
• Optimal: 4-8 people within 12-18 feet for clear 360° video/audio focus.[owllabs +1]

• Maximum: Up to 13 in-room participants with dual Owls paired; audio reaches 26 feet with expansion mic.[owllabs +1]

• Large Crowds: Poor for auditoriums or lectures—speaker detection fails beyond 9 feet for video, fisheye distortion worsens on big screens, and audio pickup drops off.

Recommendations
Use single Owls for huddle rooms (2-6 people); pair 2-3 for medium tables (up to 13). For large audiences, opt for directional PTZ cameras, podium mics, or Owl Bar + multiple units instead.[owllabs +1]

 <http://www.forsdick.com/resume/> Harry Forsdick
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On Tue, Feb 3, 2026 at 6:56 AM arnold peterson via LCTG <lctg at lists.toku.us <mailto:lctg at lists.toku.us> > wrote:

THe libraries have cameras but since the since the 360 lens is special, you might be able to borrow one or rent one. 

The other way is to get attachments from ebay for cell phone cameras seems like they have them for about $10.

Checkout the foss natick archives under hot hardware. arnie

On Mon, Feb 2, 2026 at 10:04 PM John Rudy via LCTG <lctg at lists.toku.us <mailto:lctg at lists.toku.us> > wrote:

Good thought.  BUT …  I checked Lexington, Bedford and Newton and none have one.  I’ll have to see whether inter-library loan works for this type of stuff (or does anyone know?)

John Rudy

781-861-0402

781-718-8334  cell

13 Hawthorne Lane <https://www.google.com/maps/search/13+Hawthorne+Lane+Bedford+MA?entry=gmail&source=g> 

Bedford MA <https://www.google.com/maps/search/13+Hawthorne+Lane+Bedford+MA?entry=gmail&source=g> 

 <mailto:jjrudy1 at comcast.net> jjrudy1 at comcast.net

From: S Ou <shukong at gmail.com <mailto:shukong at gmail.com> > 
Sent: Monday, February 2, 2026 9:46 PM
To: jjrudy1 at comcast.net <mailto:jjrudy1 at comcast.net> 
Cc: lex at lex.groups.io <mailto:lex at lex.groups.io> ; Lex Computer Group <lctg at lists.toku.us <mailto:lctg at lists.toku.us> >
Subject: Re: [Lex Computer & Tech Group/LCTG] [Lex] OWL

Local libraries/ minuteman library network have owl cameras that can be checked out.  Look under Library of Things. 

On Mon, Feb 2, 2026 at 3:47 PM John Rudy via LCTG <lctg at lists.toku.us <mailto:lctg at lists.toku.us> > wrote:

After I hit send I realized that OWL might be confusing.  It is a 

360° Conference Camera <https://owllabs.com/products/meeting-owl-3> 

It is not the Order of the White Lotus or Olympic Weight Lifting

John Rudy

781-861-0402

781-718-8334  cell

13 Hawthorne Lane <https://www.google.com/maps/search/13+Hawthorne+Lane+Bedford+MA?entry=gmail&source=g> 

Bedford MA <https://www.google.com/maps/search/13+Hawthorne+Lane+Bedford+MA?entry=gmail&source=g> 

 <mailto:jjrudy1 at comcast.net> jjrudy1 at comcast.net

From: lex at lex.groups.io <mailto:lex at lex.groups.io>  <lex at lex.groups.io <mailto:lex at lex.groups.io> > On Behalf Of John Rudy via groups.io <http://groups.io> 
Sent: Monday, February 2, 2026 2:37 PM
To: lex at lex.groups.io <mailto:lex at lex.groups.io> ; Lex Computer Group <lctg at lists.toku.us <mailto:lctg at lists.toku.us> >
Cc: carllazarus at comcast.net <mailto:carllazarus at comcast.net> 
Subject: [Lex] OWL

We would like to experiment with an OWL for the Brandeis BOLLI program.  Does anyone have one that we could borrow for a short time?

John

John Rudy

781-861-0402

781-718-8334  cell

13 Hawthorne Lane <https://www.google.com/maps/search/13+Hawthorne+Lane+Bedford+MA?entry=gmail&source=g> 

Bedford MA <https://www.google.com/maps/search/13+Hawthorne+Lane+Bedford+MA?entry=gmail&source=g> 

jjrudy1 at comcast.net <mailto:jjrudy1 at comcast.net> 

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