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Fixing the Ghosting (Halo) Effect​

 

At Walldrop, we understand how important it is to have a professional video call setup, and we know that having a polished backdrop can elevate your virtual presence. However, one common issue that arises with virtual backgrounds is ghosting, a blurry or fuzzy outline that appears around your body during a video call. 

Best Practices: Setting Up Your Walldrop and Fixing the Ghosting (Halo) Effect

Before we dive in, it’s worth mentioning that many Walldrop users get great results without making any changes. However, if you do experience ghosting or a halo effect, it’s usually not caused by the backdrop itself. Instead, it’s typically due to one of three factors: your lighting, camera quality, or the video conferencing tool you’re using. 

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Good news is you can totally influence and improve this issue. 

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Your video conferencing software will do its best to separate you from the background, but it relies heavily on the quality of your setup. Understanding how to optimize your environment is crucial to achieving the best possible results with any backdrop, including Walldrop. This guide will help you take control of your setup and provide you with practical, actionable steps to eliminate ghosting and improve the overall quality of your video calls.

What Exactly Is Ghosting (Halo Effect)?

Ghosting, also referred to as the "halo effect," happens when your body’s outline appears blurry or fades out during video calls that use virtual backgrounds. This occurs because your video conferencing tool struggles to clearly distinguish you from the background. The primary factors contributing to this issue are:

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  • The video conferencing tool you use
     

  • Your camera quality
     

  • Your lighting setup
     

All three of these can influence how your virtual background is detected, and improving these areas can greatly reduce or even eliminate the ghosting effect. Let's dive into each of these factors and explore how you can address them.​

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Ghosting, also referred to as the "halo effect," happens when your body’s outline appears blurry or fades out during video calls that use virtual backgrounds. This occurs because your video conferencing tool struggles to clearly distinguish you from the background. The primary factors contributing to this issue are:

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  • The video conferencing tool you use
     

  • Your camera quality
     

  • Your lighting setup
     

All three of these can influence how your virtual background is detected, and improving these areas can greatly reduce or even eliminate the ghosting effect. Let's dive into each of these factors and explore how you can address them.

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1. Ensure Proper Lighting​

 

Lighting plays a critical role in video conferencing. A well-lit environment helps your camera and video conferencing software better recognize you from your background, reducing ghosting and improving your image. Without good lighting, your camera may struggle to pick up details, leading to blurry outlines and ghosting effects.

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Lighting Tips for Video Calls

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  • Natural Light: Position yourself near a window with plenty of natural light. This light is soft and evenly distributed, which helps reduce harsh shadows and highlight your face clearly.
     

  • Avoid Backlighting: Backlighting occurs when a light source is behind you (such as a window or lamp). This creates a silhouette effect and makes your face appear dark. Ensure the light source is in front of you, so your face is well-lit.
     

Recommended Lighting for Zoom and Other Video Calls:​

 

Ring Light: A ring light is a popular choice among streamers and professionals because it provides soft, even lighting around your face, which reduces shadows and ghosting. Ring lights are affordable, portable, and easy to use.

 

Affordable Ring Lights:

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2. Improve Your Camera Quality

 

One of the most common causes of ghosting is the quality of your webcam. Most laptops come with built-in webcams that are adequate for general use but often fail to capture high-quality images, especially in virtual calls. The resolution and clarity of the webcam can significantly impact how well your virtual background is detected and how easily ghosting occurs.

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Upgrade Your Webcam

 

If you’re still using your built-in webcam, it’s time to upgrade. An HD webcam will dramatically improve the clarity and sharpness of your video, reducing the chances of ghosting. A better webcam can capture more details, which helps your video conferencing software better distinguish you from the background. Look for webcams that offer at least 1080p resolution, as this ensures a clearer and crisper image during video calls.

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Recommended Webcams:

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How to Use Your Phone as a Webcam:

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IPhone: You can use your iPhone as a webcam either directly or with a third-party app. With recent iOS and macOS updates, you can connect your iPhone to your Mac using the Continuity Camera feature - no third-party apps needed. Just connect your iPhone via USB or place it near your Mac (using Wi-Fi/Bluetooth), and select it as your camera in supported apps.  

 

Alternatively, third-party apps like EpocCam or iVCam allow you to use your iPhone as a webcam on both Mac and Windows. These apps offer high-quality video streaming over USB or Wi-Fi, and take full advantage of the iPhone's excellent camera for sharp, clear video.

 

Android: Android phones can also be used as webcams, either directly with some newer devices and platforms, or using third-party apps. Some video conferencing tools may recognize your Android device natively over USB with developer options enabled. Android Phone as Webcam Tutorial

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Otherwise, apps like DroidCam and Iriun make it easy to turn your Android phone into a webcam. Install the app on your phone, download the companion software for your computer, and connect over USB or Wi-Fi.

 

Benefits of Using Your Phone:

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  • Higher resolution and better camera quality.
     

  • More flexibility in positioning.
     

  • Easy to set up with minimal extra equipment.
     

3. Choose the Right Video Conferencing Tool

 

Not all video conferencing tools handle virtual backgrounds equally. Some tools are better equipped to handle background removal, which can significantly reduce ghosting. Here’s how various video conferencing platforms compare when it comes to virtual background quality:

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Zoom

 

Zoom is generally considered the best video conferencing tool for handling virtual backgrounds. This is because it uses advanced green screen technology and has better software algorithms for background removal. Zoom’s automatic background detection works well with most lighting conditions, reducing ghosting and ensuring that the virtual background is crisp and clear.

 

Google Meet

 

Google Meet is a solid choice, but it may struggle with ghosting if you’re using an older webcam or have poor lighting. It’s still a good option, but you may need to adjust your setup to optimize the quality of the virtual background.

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Microsoft Teams

 

While Teams offers virtual backgrounds, it tends to perform less smoothly than Zoom. The background removal isn’t as advanced, which means ghosting can be more prominent in Teams, especially when using lower-quality webcams or poor lighting.

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Solution: If ghosting is a major concern, we recommend using Zoom as your primary video conferencing tool. If you’re stuck with another tool, don’t worry - simply focus on optimizing your lighting and camera quality for better results.

 

4. Bonus Tip: Use a Green Screen for Virtual Calls

 

A green screen is one of the most effective ways to eliminate ghosting and enhance your virtual background. Green screens work by providing a solid, uniform background that your video conferencing software can easily differentiate from you, resulting in a cleaner, more professional image.

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How to Set Up a Green Screen for Video Calls

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  • Step 1: Set up a solid, wrinkle-free green screen behind you. You can purchase a green screen or make one yourself.
     

  • Step 2: Go into the settings of your video conferencing software (Zoom, Google Meet, etc.) and select the option for a virtual background. Make sure to enable the green screen feature for best results.
     

  • Step 3: Adjust the settings to suit your lighting and ensure that the virtual background looks smooth and clean.
     

Affordable Green Screens:

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Fixing the Ghosting (Halo) Effect

Bonus Tip for iPhone Users

 

Apple’s built-in video background feature often performs better than other video conferencing tools like Zoom or Google Meet. The native iOS feature automatically adjusts the background to create a cleaner video call experience, even with limited lighting.

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Solution:

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  • Update your iPhone to the latest iOS version.
     

  • Use Apple’s built-in background features, which are optimized to perform better than third-party solutions.
     

Quick Recap

 

To optimize your setup and eliminate ghosting, follow these tips:

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  • Use Zoom or another reliable conferencing tool with advanced background technology.
     

  • Upgrade your camera or use your smartphone as a webcam for sharper visuals.
     

  • Ensure you have even, front-facing lighting to improve clarity and reduce shadows.
     

  • If you're an iPhone user, use Apple’s built-in background features for better results

 

Walldrop provides beautiful, professional backdrops that can enhance any virtual meeting or video call. However, achieving the best results depends on your overall video call setup, including camera quality, lighting, and the tools you use. By following these simple steps, you can eliminate ghosting, achieve a polished appearance, and ensure a smooth, professional video conferencing experience.

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For more tips or personalized assistance, please reach out to Walldrop. We're always here to help!

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