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Poly Studio P21 Personal Meeting Display: A Complete Review
Cameron Cashman
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April 11, 2024
The telecom industry has experienced rapid growth over the past two decades, fueled by the emergence of new startups and the expertise of established companies like Polycom and Plantronics. In 2018, these two industry leaders merged to form Poly, solidifying their position in the telecom industry.
Companies like these received an unexpected shot of adrenaline after the COVID-19 pandemic forced many to adopt work-from-home policies. The demand for high-quality computer peripherals like microphones and webcams skyrocketed. And while the worst days of the pandemic are behind us, remote work is here to stay. More employees across a variety of industries are relying on teleconferencing than ever before.
Recognizing the increasing demand for top-notch telecommunication accessories in 2022, HP teamed up with Poly to enhance our renowned PCs and computer peripherals. Now, we’re proud to offer a wide range of telecom products, empowering businesses of all sizes with headset, video, and phone solutions.
Poly has plenty of different options to choose from, whether you need a high-quality microphone or crystal-clear webcam. But sometimes you need an all-in-one solution - if that’s the case, look no further than the Poly Studio P21 personal meeting display.
Cut down on the cords
For years now, laptops have included built-in speakers, microphones, and webcams, all packed within a small, ergonomic case. Yet most desktop computer monitors don’t typically include these same features.
Until recently, users had to navigate the hassle of piecing together separate speakers, microphones, and webcams for their desktop computer setups. Not only did this lead to additional expenses, but it also resulted in a tangled mess of wires - that is, if you had the USB port availability needed to accommodate those devices.
With that in mind, Poly and HP set out to design an all-in-one video conferencing solution. The result was the Poly Studio P21: a desktop computer monitor complete with high fidelity, front-facing stereo speakers; a sharp, full HD webcam; and a high-quality microphone; all perfect for conference calls.
The best part? The Poly Studio P21 connects to your PC via a single USB-C connection, ensuring you have plenty of open ports for your other peripherals.
Let’s take a deeper look at this display to see how it can help you look and sound your best.
Vibrant videos
A monitor with a weak screen isn’t very much of a monitor at all - so that’s where we started. The Poly Studio P21 features a 21-inch full high definition (FHD) 1920 x 1080-pixel LED panel. And resolution is only one part of the equation: this monitor also features a 1000:1 contrast ratio and a pixel pitch of 0.25 x 0.25 mm.
Contrast ratio refers to the difference between the brightest and darkest areas of a display. With a high contrast ratio, a monitor can accurately reproduce both bright whites and deep blacks, resulting in a sharper, more vibrant picture.
Pixel pitch is the measure of distance between two pixels in a display. A smaller pixel pitch means a higher pixel density, so detail remains sharp even if you’re sitting close to the screen like you would with a computer monitor.
Thanks to the Poly Studio P21’s powerful display, you won’t have to worry about visual quality in conference calls. But how will the other participants see you? The built-in webcam is also FHD (1920 x 1080) and features low-light compensation, true colour enhancement, manual pan and tilt control, and up to 4x digital zoom to make sure you’re always front and center.
Astounding audio
What good is razor-sharp picture quality without crystal-clear audio? While a lot of monitors come with built-in speakers, they’re typically in the back, facing away from the user. That’s enough to spoil the audio experience on its own, to say nothing of the quality of the speakers themselves.
This certainly is not the case with the Poly Studio P21. A speaker’s quality is measured in hertz, and is referred to as bandwidth - this is a range of the highest and lowest sounds a speaker can accurately reproduce. With a wide bandwidth of 80 Hz to 20 kHz, you’ll have no trouble understanding your colleagues in busy audio conferences.
Plus, this speaker array features two front-facing, 10 W stereo drivers that are great for watching videos or listening to music, too.
On the other side of the audio equation is the microphone. The Poly Studio P21 comes with a single, uni-directional microphone with noise and reverb cancellation. With a frequency response of 50 Hz to 20 kHz, you can rest assured that all participants of a call can hear you loud and clear.
Fully-featured
The Poly Studio P21 is compatible with both Windows (8.1, 10, and higher) and MacOS (10.15 or higher) and connects to both Mac and PC machines via a single USC connection. The monitor also features 2 SuperSpeed USB-A ports for even more room for additional peripherals.
One of the most unique features of the P21 is the incorporated vanity lighting. These two soft lights on either side of the monitor help evenly illuminate your face, so sharp shadows or reflections don’t distort your features.
The vanity lighting, as well as the volume and mute functions, are all controlled via buttons on the P21. It even features an extra programmable button that can function however you want. And thanks to the active call and mute LED, you can check the status of your call with only a brief glance.
Teleconferencing for everyone
Video calling is more common now than ever before - here are some ways the Poly Studio P21 can help certain specific users.
Professionals
The Poly Studio P21 personal meeting display is a valuable asset for busy professionals seeking an efficient and immersive conferencing experience. With its all-in-one design, professionals can eliminate the hassle of managing separate speakers, microphones, and webcams, streamlining their setup, and saving valuable time.
The display's high-quality video capabilities ensure vibrant visuals, while the front-facing stereo speakers and noise-canceling microphone guarantee crystal-clear audio during important conference calls. Its compatibility with both Windows and MacOS systems, along with convenient connectivity options, provides seamless integration into professionals' existing setups.
With the Poly Studio P21, busy professionals can enhance their productivity and communication, making remote meetings feel more engaging and seamless.
Small business owners
The Poly Studio P21 personal meeting display offers small business owners a comprehensive solution to their conferencing needs. They can conduct professional and engaging video conferences, making a positive impression on clients and collaborators. The all-in-one design enhances efficiency and productivity, helping them ensure efficient and effective communication and collaboration.
Students
Professionals aren’t the only ones doing their work online or from home. Remote education is huge these days! The Poly Studio P21 is a valuable tool for students, enhancing their learning experiences. It ensures that students can easily participate in remote classes, virtual meetings, and group projects with clarity and engagement.
Summary
The Studio P21 personal meeting display from Poly is a game-changer for users working remotely. With its all-in-one design, it simplifies the conferencing experience for professionals, small business owners, and students alike. The display's high-quality video capabilities, vibrant visuals, and crystal-clear audio ensure a seamless and engaging communication experience.
Whether it's for remote work, client meetings, or virtual learning, the Poly Studio P21 enhances productivity, communication, and collaboration, empowering users to achieve their goals efficiently and effectively.
