Recently I discovered the ‘Stream Deck’ due a tweet from Jeff Teper (Microsoft). It looked like a great device, so I immediately ordered it (as I'm a gadget freak!) :-)
Jan 13, 2021 Teams are a collection of people, content, and tools surrounding different projects and outcomes within an organization. Teams can be created to be private to only invited users. Teams can also be created to be public and open and anyone within the organization can join (up to 10,000 members). Access Teams across all of your devices. With Teams you can collaborate on the go.
The ‘Stream Deck’ is an external USB device where you can assign actions and apps to buttons. On the Elgato site you can see what it can do in general: https://www.elgato.com/en/gaming/stream-deck
Since I do a lot of Microsoft Teams meetings nowadays , I started figured out how it can use this device to ‘improve’ my Microsoft Teams meetings. Let’s figure out more!
Microsoft Teams For Dummies
Create Teams shortcut buttons
In Microsoft Teams you can work with key shortcuts: https://www.howtogeek.com/669496/every-microsoft-teams-keyboard-shortcut-and-how-to-use-them/
It makes no sense to make Stream Deck buttons for all this actions, so I created only a few for when I’m in a Microsoft Teams meeting and want to do some quick actions, this is what I created:
Note:to make it look nice I created icons for these actions in the Microsoft Teams colors, feel free to download them here :-)
Toggle microphone
Ctrl+Shift+M
What Does Microsoft Teams Do
Toggle video
Ctrl+Shift+O
Share something in a meeting
Ctrl+Shift+Space
Switch to calendar view
Ctrl+4
Switch to Teams chat view
Ctrl+2
Create a new Teams chat message
C (multiple action, Ctrl+2 and C)
Zoom in
Ctrl+=
Zoom out
Ctrl+-
Zoom back to original
Ctrl+0
Too bad that you cannot change video source or a specific background for example; that would be very nice!
Since I use external apps as my video source (XSplit VCam for Youtube Backgrounds and SnapCam for fun effects during during virtual happy hours) I also placed buttons (‘open’ app) for that to allow quick access to that apps.
I still have some ‘legacy customers’ 😊 on Skype for Business, so that app is also as a button (since I don’t have Skype for Business running by default) on my Stream Deck.
With this settings I come to this setup available during my Microsoft Teams meetings:
With the use of this buttons on my external Stream Deck device I have quick access to some common actions during my various Microsoft Teams meetings.
Create a sound board to pimp your Teams meetings
What Can Microsoft Teams Download
With the recent launched feature 'Share system audio to a Microsoft Teams meeting' (http://www.365forall.com/2020/04/share-system-audio-in-microsoft-teams/) we now have to opportunity to make some fun with sound effects.
In the Stream Desk Windows 10 application you can add more 'action packs'. One of these packs is 'Sound deck' - you can install it by clicking on 'More actions'
Once you have done this you can create a 'folder' on the main menu in your 'Stream Deck' configuration. When you click on this you have to possibility to add even more shortcuts.
Add a 'Play Audio' item where you want, and you can configure it with some sound effects. Choose to add an icon for the sound effect or text (or both):
So now you can add your favorite Microsoft Teams meeting sound effects, here are some suggestions:
- 10 to 0 countdown for the start of your meeting
- 'Boring' sound effect for looooooong talks with no adding value
- 'Tada' sound effect when you show a nice thing in your meeting
- 'Happy birthday' song to play when an attendee has its birthday
- 'Hey google turn on all lights' to do some annoying Google assistent commands to your attendees
..... so unlimited fun here ;)
This is my current sound board config (some specific Dutch effects here):
End conclusion: is it worth to buy ?
Yes and no :) It's not a necessary accessoire but gives you some fun and ease of use. So it complete depends on your 'gadget gradation' !
Want to buy in the Netherlands ? 1 day delivery from Coolblue: