Bose Videobar VB1 Review

(Image credit: Bose)

Launched at ISE 2020, the Bose Videobar VB1 is one of the latest introductions to the growing market for all-in-one communications solutions for small to medium conferencing spaces. Pairing a variety of new technologies with an audio experience one should expect from Bose, the bar has a sleek and modern look that will blend well with any conference room, executive meeting space, or huddle room.

Setup

Right out of the box, the product requires minimal effort to get up and running. Although I did not permanently mount it, the physical installation seems quick and easy. Mounting and cable pathways at the rear of the unit are well placed, allowing for proper cable management and a clean installation. Unlike other products from competitors, the VB1 simplifies the experience with the use of a single cable and connection to the computer. Several other products require both HDMI in and USB, whereas the VB1 utilizes a single USB-C cable.

The connection is versatile and easily worked with several platforms I tested including Zoom, Teams, and Google. The software for setup is intuitive and easy to understand, while still offering all the options for configuration and remote management. My favorite tool was the downloadable app. I was able to quickly and easily adjust the volume, control the camera (pan/tilt/zoom), and even recall camera presets. The advanced setup and configuration options are vast yet intuitive, which is great to see.

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Trying it Out

The camera provides a nice field of view and 4K image to clearly capture the room and individuals within. (However, it is unfortunate that most soft conferencing platforms are currently unable to take advantage of the full resolution.) Participants on the far end were able to clearly see the room, whether it had one or several participants. The camera includes auto-framing capability that can be toggled on and off via the remote or app. The framing worked well—better than some software-generated auto-framers—and the ability to easily turn this feature on and off as desired is appealing. Many other cameras I have seen require complex logins or software downloads in order to disable this functionality, if you can even turn if off at all.

The VB1’s audio is top notch. The far end was also able to clearly hear the participants in the space. Whether the room had one or several people, the beam steering technology with six microphone elements allowed for great noise rejection. The one feature everyone expects to be the best from Bose, the speakers, did not disappoint. The speakers performed well during a call, with a connected 3.5 audio cable, for a video presentation, and even streaming audio straight from the Bluetooth connection via my mobile device.

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Impressions

Perhaps the VB1’s biggest downside also happens to be one of its strengths. Since it uses a singular USB-C 3.1 cable, the cable length from host to device is limited. Although it comes with a fairly long cable and a list of tested USB extenders is available on the website, like most USB devices, the extension may be somewhat limiting. I also wish the unit would charge a laptop directly connected to the unit. CEC control of the display would also benefit many users, and I have a suspicion this may be available in a future update.

Overall, the Bose Videobar VB1 is a premium conferencing device that will work reliably in just about any small- to medium-sized conferencing space. Its excellent audio quality will enhance the user experience of all within the room and for those on the far end of any video call. A product that is easier to use than most, the VB1 brings the quality Bose is known for with a wide variety of features desired by all to the conference room.

Jeremy Caldera, CTS-D, CTS-I is senior vice president at Pearl Technology, a leader in AV and IT services based in Peoria, IL. He sits on the academic advisory board for the Audio Arts & Acoustics Department of Columbia College Chicago, is the former AVIXA CTS certification program chair, and is a recent inductee to the SCN 2021 AV Hall of Fame.

Jeremy Caldera, CTS-D, CTS-I is an expert in the professional audiovisual industry with over 25 years of experience. Currently a senior vice president of audiovisual technology at Pearl Technology, a leader in AV and IT services based in Peoria, IL, Caldera specializes in the planning and design of audiovisual systems, organizational management, employee motivation, and the development of corporate standards and business growth strategies. Caldera is also a partner at BNCO Consulting and Top Shelf Digital Media.

Caldera is passionate about sharing his knowledge with others. He worked with his alma mater, Columbia College, to form a partnership with the Audiovisual and Integrated Experience Association (AVIXA) to develop an Audiovisual Systems Integration concentration within the college’s Audio Arts and Acoustics department. This partnership served as a model for what is now a major tenant of the AVIXA Foundation, which provides access to skills education, career pathways, and hands-on experiences to inspire the next generation of leaders in AV.

Caldera is an active volunteer both within the pro AV industry and his community. He previously served as the chair of AVIXA’s Certified Technology Specialist (CTS) Certification Program where he oversaw the development and administration of CTS, CTS-D, and CTS-I certifications. From 2017 to 2019, Caldera was a member of AVIXA’s Leadership Search Committee which appoints and develops mentors to serve on the AVIXA Board of Directors. He also is the chair of the committee for the renewal of the AVIXA/ANSI 2M standard. He currently serves on the board of directors for the Junior Achievement of Central Illinois and the Morton Premier Soccer Club.

Caldera holds a B.A. in Audio Arts and Acoustics from Columbia College, and has won several industry and community awards and honors, including: Systems Contractor News Hall of Fame (2021); iBi’s Peoria Top 40 Leaders under 40 (2017), the NSCA’s Randy Vaughan Founders Award (2017), AVIXA’s Educator of the Year (2017), Commercial Integrator’s 40 under 40 (2015), and AVIXA’s Young Professional Award (2015).