Skip to main content

Repair information and guides for the long-awaited refresh of the popular MacBook Air, featuring Intel's Core i5 processors, an updated Retina Display, and numerous other changes and updates that was released on November 7th, 2018.

146 Questions View all

Can I add a gpu to help zoom quality of my video? Internal or external

In zoom, my own video is very poor, looking lower res than a 720p camera should be giving me. Same with or without green screen, with or without a background image, and with or without iGlasses. Cpu load is very high with zoom session. Perhaps an internal or external GPU would help. I'd appreciate any suggestions.

I have a 2018 MacBook air.

Update (07/21/2021)

Did some more digging… I found that zoom does not provide HD for "free" customers due to bandwidth concerns, COVID impacts on the rapid growth of their customer base, etc.  I upgraded to Pro for the month, and enabled HD in my account settings.  I've not done a serious test yet but it looks like that improved things.  The following two pages were my primary references. Note that the Group HD is not shown if you’re a “free”user. Upgrade to Pro and that option is shown, and enabling it improves quality. All set for now. Thanks…Alan

https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/article...

https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/article...

Answered! View the answer I have this problem too

Is this a good question?

Score 1
Add a comment

2 Answers

Chosen Solution

Did some more digging… I found that zoom does not provide HD for "free" customers due to bandwidth concerns, COVID impacts on the rapid growth of their customer base, etc.  I upgraded to Pro for the month, and enabled HD in my account settings.  I've not done a serious test yet but it looks like that improved things.  The following two pages were my primary references. Note that the Group HD is not shown if you’re a “free”user. Upgrade to Pro and that option is shown, and enabling it improves quality. All set for now. Thanks…Alan

https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/article...

https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/article...

Was this answer helpful?

Score 1
Add a comment

I'm surprised your direct view of your own video image from the FaceTime camera is so bad. See if the Photo Booth app your system has in the application folder is any better.

If not then your system is likely in CPU safe mode which is when your SMC logic detects a problem! Basically it lowers the CPU's clocking and ramps up the fan.

Lets see if you get an error running the onboard diagnostics. Restart your system and press the D key did you get any errors?

Reference: Mac startup key combinations

As far as adding a GPU you shouldn’t need it, you would need an external GPU and I promise you no one is doing that for Zoom calls. The background image really doesn’t effect things (green screen).

If your system doesn’t come back with an error I would look at reducing you drive of stuff as you maybe running out of storage space, in this case preventing your apps access to virtual RAM.

Was this answer helpful?

Score 0
Add a comment

Add your answer

Alan Carwile will be eternally grateful.
View Statistics:

Past 24 Hours: 0

Past 7 Days: 0

Past 30 Days: 10

All Time: 352