Optimizing Zoom audio and video quality requires adjusting both software settings and hardware setup, as Zoom’s default configurations prioritize call stability over professional-grade quality. The most impactful improvements come from enabling advanced audio features like "Original Sound," disabling automatic adjustments, and using external hardware, while video quality benefits from HD settings, stable internet connections, and proper lighting. For professional use cases—such as podcasting or high-stakes presentations—alternative platforms like Riverside.fm may offer superior results, but Zoom can still deliver excellent quality with the right configurations.

Key findings from the sources:

• Audio optimization: Disable "Automatically adjust microphone volume," set noise suppression to "low," and enable "Original Sound" for studio-quality audio ^[2]. External microphones and audio interfaces significantly outperform built-in options ^[3].
• Video enhancement: Enable HD video (720p/1080p), use external webcams, and prioritize wired internet connections ^[7]. Lighting and background setup also play critical roles ^[9].
• Troubleshooting: Disable hardware acceleration, close background apps, and adjust router settings to reduce lag and dropouts ^[6].
• Limitations: Zoom’s automatic processing (echo cancellation, noise suppression) can degrade quality for professional audio—manual overrides are essential ^[4].

Optimizing Zoom for Professional Quality

Audio Quality: Critical Settings and Hardware

Zoom’s default audio processing prioritizes call clarity over fidelity, which can introduce artifacts like echo cancellation delays or over-aggressive noise suppression. To achieve professional-grade audio, manual adjustments and external hardware are essential. The "Original Sound" feature is the cornerstone of high-quality audio in Zoom, bypassing automatic enhancements that often degrade recordings. This setting is particularly critical for musicians, podcasters, or anyone requiring accurate sound reproduction.

Key audio optimization steps include:

• Enable "Original Sound": Navigate to *Settings > Audio > Advanced* and check "Show in-meeting option to enable Original Sound." During calls, click "Turn on Original Sound" in the top-left corner. This disables Zoom’s echo cancellation and noise suppression, preserving audio fidelity ^[2].
• Disable automatic adjustments: Untick "Automatically adjust microphone volume" to prevent Zoom from fluctuating levels mid-call. This ensures consistent audio levels for post-production editing ^[2].
• Adjust noise suppression manually: Set noise suppression to "low" instead of "auto" to reduce background noise without over-processing. The "auto" setting can aggressively cut frequencies, making speech sound unnatural ^[2].
• Use external microphones: Built-in laptop mics capture ambient noise and lack clarity. USB microphones (e.g., Blue Yeti) or XLR setups with audio interfaces (e.g., Focusrite Scarlett) provide superior sound. For group calls, designate one high-quality mic to avoid phase interference ^[3].
• Wear headphones: This prevents audio feedback loops when "Original Sound" is enabled, as echo cancellation is disabled. Closed-back headphones are ideal for isolating sound ^[2].

For music or high-fidelity recordings, additional steps are recommended:

• Disable echo cancellation entirely in *Settings > Audio > Advanced* if using headphones, as it can introduce latency ^[4].
• Record separate audio tracks for each participant using third-party software (e.g., Audacity) or platforms like Riverside.fm, which syncs high-quality audio with video post-call ^[3].
• Prioritize wired connections: Wi-Fi fluctuations can cause audio dropouts. Use Ethernet and close bandwidth-heavy applications (e.g., cloud backups) ^[6].

Video Quality: Settings, Hardware, and Environment

Zoom’s video quality depends on three factors: software settings, hardware capabilities, and environmental conditions. While Zoom compresses video to reduce bandwidth, enabling HD and optimizing your setup can mitigate quality loss. The platform supports up to 1080p resolution, but this requires a Pro account and sufficient upload speeds (at least 3.0 Mbps for 1080p).

Critical video optimization steps:

• Enable HD video: In *Settings > Video*, check "HD" to force 720p or 1080p resolution. Note that group calls may default to 720p even with this enabled ^[9].
• Use external webcams: Built-in laptop cameras often max out at 720p with poor low-light performance. External cameras like the Logitech C920 (1080p) or C930e (4K) offer sharper images and better autofocus ^[7].
• Optimize lighting: Place a key light (e.g., ring light or softbox) in front of you to avoid shadows. Avoid backlighting (e.g., windows behind you), which causes silhouetting. Natural light from a side window works well for a balanced look ^[7].
• Adjust video settings for recording: In *Settings > Recording*, enable "Record video during screen sharing" and select "Optimize for 3rd party video editor" to retain higher quality for post-production ^[9].
• Manage bandwidth: Close unnecessary applications (e.g., Netflix, Dropbox) and use a wired Ethernet connection. Zoom requires 1.0–3.0 Mbps upload for HD video; test your speed at speedtest.net ^[6].

For advanced users, additional tweaks include:

• Disable hardware acceleration: In *Settings > Video > Advanced*, uncheck "Enable hardware acceleration" if experiencing glitches or artifacts. This offloads processing to your CPU, which can improve stability ^[6].
• Use virtual backgrounds judiciously: Green screens and virtual backgrounds consume extra processing power. If your system lags, disable these features or use a solid-color physical background ^[7].
• Update Zoom and drivers: Outdated software can cause compatibility issues. Regularly check for updates in *Zoom > Check for Updates* and update your webcam/microphone drivers via the manufacturer’s website ^[7].