[Lex Computer & Tech Group/LCTG] [Lex] OWL
Peter Albin
palbin24 at yahoo.com
Wed Feb 4 11:50:57 PST 2026
I believe this scenario is incompatible for satisfactory use with an
OWL. Please refer to Harry's original reply from Perplexity about OWL
limitations. I believe that they reflect my experience.
Peter
On 2/4/2026 10:23 AM, carllazarus--- via LCTG wrote:
>
> 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
>
> carllazarus at comcast.net <mailto: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
>
> jjrudy1 at comcast.net <mailto:jjrudy1 at comcast.net>
>
> *From:*Harry Forsdick <forsdick at gmail.com>
> *Sent:* Tuesday, February 3, 2026 6:39 PM
> *To:* arnold peterson <alp4982 at gmail.com>
> *Cc:* jjrudy1 at comcast.net; Lex Computer Group <LCTG at lists.toku.us>;
> 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]
>
>
> Harry Forsdick <http://www.forsdick.com/resume/>
> Town Meeting Member Precinct 7 <http://lexingtontmma.org/>
> harry at forsdick.com
> <https://mail.google.com/mail/?view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&to=harry@forsdick.com>
> www.forsdick.com <http://www.forsdick.com/>
>
>
>
>
>
> 46 Burlington St.
> Lexington, MA 02420 <https://goo.gl/xZXT2F>
> (781) 799-6002 (mobile) <callto:17817996002>
>
> On Tue, Feb 3, 2026 at 6:56 AM arnold peterson via LCTG
> <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> 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>
>
> jjrudy1 at comcast.net <mailto:jjrudy1 at comcast.net>
>
> *From:*S Ou <shukong at gmail.com>
> *Sent:* Monday, February 2, 2026 9:46 PM
> *To:* jjrudy1 at comcast.net
> *Cc:* lex at lex.groups.io; Lex Computer Group <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> 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>
>
> jjrudy1 at comcast.net <mailto:jjrudy1 at comcast.net>
>
> *From:*lex at lex.groups.io <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; Lex Computer Group
> <lctg at lists.toku.us>
> *Cc:* 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
>
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