The short answer is yes, you can use Facebook Portal for Zoom meetings. The Facebook Portal is a smart display device that has Zoom video conferencing capabilities built-in, allowing you to easily participate in Zoom calls and meetings.
How does Facebook Portal work with Zoom?
Facebook Portal comes pre-loaded with a Zoom app that allows you to join Zoom meetings directly from the Portal. This means you don’t need to install the Zoom app or have a Zoom account of your own to join meetings from Portal. The built-in Zoom integration makes joining meetings seamless and straightforward.
When someone invites you to a Zoom meeting, you simply open the invitation on your Portal and tap to join. The Portal will launch the Zoom call fullscreen so you can fully participate in the meeting with video and audio. You can also sign in to the Zoom app with your own Zoom account if you have one to access your full account settings and features.
What models of Facebook Portal work with Zoom?
All models of Facebook Portal devices support Zoom, including:
- Portal
- Portal+
- Portal Mini
- Portal TV
The core Zoom functionality works the same across all Portal models. The main difference is the screen size – the regular Portal and Portal+ have larger screens more suited for video calls, while the Portal Mini and Portal TV have smaller compact screens.
What features does Facebook Portal provide for Zoom calls?
Facebook Portal offers several key features to enhance your Zoom calls:
- Smart camera – Automatically pans and zooms to keep you in frame during calls.
- Smart Sound – Filters out background noise for clearer audio.
- HD video – High quality video optimized for Zoom’s platform.
- Touchscreen controls – Easy way to control call features by tapping the screen.
- Alexa integration – Use voice commands via Alexa to join meetings hands-free.
Facebook is continuously working on improving the Zoom integration and experience as well. For example, Portal devices will soon support Zoom breakout rooms and whiteboard features.
What are the benefits of using Facebook Portal for Zoom?
There are several advantages to using Facebook Portal for your Zoom calls:
- No app downloads or accounts required – Get instant access to Zoom without needing to install anything or create a Zoom account.
- Dedicated device – Having a separate device just for video calls keeps work/life separation.
- Enhanced features – Makes calls smoother with smart camera tracking, noise cancellation, and HD video.
- Easy to use – The touchscreen and hands-free Alexa controls provide convenient ways to join meetings.
- Brings mobility – You can move the Portal around to different rooms where you take calls.
- Sharp display – Large screen and HD resolution offer immersive video meeting experience.
Using a dedicated video conferencing device like Portal can provide a better overall experience compared to PC/mobile apps. It removes friction from joining meetings and enhances the core functionality for clearer communications.
What are the limitations of Facebook Portal for Zoom?
There are some disadvantages or limitations to be aware of with using Facebook Portal for Zoom:
- No advanced meeting controls – Don’t have full access to all Zoom controls and customization options.
- Limited account features – No access to contacts, call history, recordings, etc. from your Zoom account.
- App functionality gaps – Some newer Zoom features on desktop/mobile may not be supported yet.
- Multi-device challenges – Can’t easily switch between devices or transfer calls.
- Facebook login required – Must have Facebook account and Messenger app linked to use Portal.
While Portal provides a simplified meeting experience, users who need advanced configuration options or full Zoom app functionality may find it limiting. Having a separate call device also makes moving meetings across multiple devices more challenging.
What video and audio quality can you expect?
The Portal devices provide very good video and sound quality for Zoom calls:
- Video quality – Up to 1080p HD resolution on Portal+ and Portal. 720p on Portal Mini and Portal TV.
- Camera – Smart 12MP camera on regular Portal. 8MP and 5MP on Mini and TV models.
- Screen – Large 15.6″ display on Portal+. 10″ on regular Portal. 8″ and under on Mini and TV.
- Microphones – 4 microphones on Portal and Portal+. 2 on Mini and TV models.
- Speakers – Front-firing directional speakers across all models.
So you can expect a sharp, high-quality video call experience. It will be better than most laptop webcams and on par with higher end dedicated webcams or conference room systems. The smart camera tracking and built-in mics/speakers also optimize the audio and video feeds.
Can you connect a webcam or mic to the Portal?
Unfortunately there is no way to directly connect external webcams or microphones to a Facebook Portal device. The Portal relies entirely on its integrated camera and mic array for capturing audio and video during calls.
If you want to use a different camera or microphone setup, your best option is to join the meeting on a computer or mobile device that allows connecting to external peripherals. Then you can use that device’s video/audio feed in conjunction with the Facebook Portal in the meeting.
Some potential workarounds include:
- Positioning an external webcam to capture both you and the Portal screen.
- Connecting an external mic to your computer and using that audio feed.
- Joining from both Portal and a laptop/phone and selectively muting/unmuting each device.
While not as seamless, those approaches allow augmenting the built-in Portal camera and audio features with your own gear if desired.
Can multiple people share a Portal for Zoom calls?
Yes, you can have multiple people share a Facebook Portal for their Zoom calls. Here are some tips to enable this:
- Position the Portal in a shared space where people can join calls individually.
- Have each person log into the Portal with their Facebook account to access their own contacts, calendar, etc.
- Join meetings from the shared calendar of the person who invites others to the meeting.
- Set up Alexa voice profiles so people can join meetings hands-free using their own voice.
- Adjust camera framing as different people join the call from the shared Portal.
Setting some basic protocols around usage can help ensure multiple people benefit from and share the Portal device politely. This can make it a great conferencing solution for offices, shared living spaces, and other collaborative environments.
How does Zoom on Portal compare to a dedicated Zoom Rooms hardware?
Zoom Rooms refers to Zoom’s hardware solutions designed specifically for conference rooms and huddle spaces. There are a few key differences between the Zoom experience on Facebook Portal vs. dedicated Zoom Rooms:
| Facebook Portal | Zoom Rooms Hardware | |
|---|---|---|
| Video and audio quality | Very good quality with integrated camera, speakers, and mics optimized for calls. | Professional quality with support for external cameras, mics, and speakers. |
| Zoom app features | Limited version of app and features designed for simplicity. | Full Zoom app and administrative features for advanced controls. |
| Usage scenarios | Personal and small group calls. Mobility around the home/office. | Conference rooms and larger meetings with many participants. |
| Cost | ~$80-$350 for Facebook Portal device. | ~$2,500-$5,000 for robust Zoom Rooms packages. |
In summary, Portal offers a more affordable and portable way to access Zoom for individual use cases. But dedicated Zoom Rooms hardware provides enterprise-grade performance for large meetings and integration with traditional conference room gear.
Conclusion
Facebook Portal provides an easy, all-in-one way to use Zoom for your video conferencing needs. It removes the friction of downloading apps and managing accounts while still offering a quality call experience. While it lacks some advanced features, it’s ideal for personal calls and small group meetings.
Dedicated solutions like Zoom Rooms offer more power for large meetings and professional settings. But they require significantly higher investment. For many individual users, Facebook Portal hits a sweet spot of simplicity, affordability, and performance for Zoom calls.