Forum Discussion
How does Microsoft Teams decide which users will *remain* onscreen during a video call?
I have the same question, now that the 3x3 layout (i.e. 9 participants) has been rolled out. I love that I can see 9 people now, but in a recent meeting where there were approximately 120 people in the meeting, the layout didn't change every time a new person spoke. Anyone who wasn't speaking was muted, yet a few people who barely spoke, or didn't speak at all, remained on the screen for almost the entire hour-long meeting. I was told by several people that they could see me for most of the meeting, well before I spoke and afterward. I only unmuted myself briefly, for a 30 second comment, then muted myself again. Yet even after 9 additional people spoke, I still remained on people's screens. On my own screen there were a few people who didn't speak at all, nor did they have any "activity" going on around them, yet they remained on the screen. Why is that?
NadiaB Hey, for what it's worth here's a quote from Microsoft.
"For more than 9 participants, we will prioritize those with video on and show them on the stage. Participants with audio will be shown below the meeting stage. To provide a high audio and video quality experience, the layout logic will consider user bandwidth and alter the number of videos shown to provide the best meeting experience."
ChristianBergstrom Thank you - that helps a little, but I'm not 100% clear on the statement "the layout logic will consider user bandwidth and alter the number of videos shown". Does this mean that users with the best/strongest bandwidth are shown, over those with less? E.g. I am using a desktop PC connected directly with an Ethernet cable, but I know that most of our staff are currently using WiFi with laptops or tablets. Is that why my face showed and remained on the screen even though many more than 9 people spoke after I signed in?
NadiaB Hello Nadia! To be honest, I don't know exactly how it works behind the scenes. But as user bandwidth is considered, and there's a performance difference using a cable, it could very well fit your scenario.
ChristianBergstrom Ok, that makes sense. Thanks again for your help!