As an independent #av consultant, I recently had the opportunity to test out the latest firmware update for the Huddly IQ camera 📷, and I must say, I was quite impressed. The firmware update, version 1.6.12, introduced some new features that greatly improve the overall video conferencing experience.
Firstly, the improved gallery view is a game changer. The camera is now able to zoom in on up to four people🧔 simultaneously and compose them into a single shot. This means that the participants on the other end of the video call can see each person up close, allowing them to read facial expressions and body language. In comparison to speaker tracking cameras, which only show the person who is currently speaking, the Huddly IQ’s gallery view provides a much more immersive experience.

In addition to the gallery view, the updated firmware also includes improved genius framing. The Huddly IQ’s individual people framing is fast and responsive, making it ideal for small meeting rooms of up to six people.
However, while the camera is excellent for small rooms, I found that it was less effective in medium and large rooms with more than four people. In these situations, the camera defaults to group framing, making it harder to read body language and facial expressions.

That being said, Huddly is making steady improvements to the gallery view feature. In September 2022, they enabled two people in gallery view, then expanded to three people in January 2023, and now four people. However, I would like to see the camera improve further to enable 6-8 people in gallery view. This would give the camera even greater flexibility and make it ideal for use in medium-sized rooms with up to eight people.

Overall, I highly recommend the Huddly IQ camera for those looking to enhance their video conferencing experience in small meeting rooms. The new firmware update has greatly improved the camera’s capabilities, and I am excited to see what new features Huddly will introduce in the future.