How to Expand a Participant’s Video in Zoom if You’re Not the Host

When participating in Zoom meetings, as a non-host, it can be frustrating if you want to focus on a specific participant’s video feed and cannot manage to get a clearer or larger view of their feed. However, with Zoom’s built-in features and a few additional steps, you can achieve a better viewing experience. This guide will provide you with a comprehensive list of steps and tips for expanding a participant's video in Zoom without being the host.

Understanding Zoom’s Default Layouts

By default, Zoom displays the video feeds in a gallery view, where all participants are shown in thumbnails. However, as a non-host, you might occasionally want to expand a specific participant's video. While Zoom primarily provides a speaker view, which focuses the feed on the currently speaking participant, there are a few ways you can get a better view. Let's dive into how you can do so.

How to Use Speaker View

The Speaker View is a built-in feature in Zoom that you can use to maximize the view of the person who is currently speaking. Although it does not allow you to manually change the speaker, you can still benefit from a larger and clearer view of the active participant.

Steps to Use Speaker View:

Ensure that you are in a Zoom meeting as a participant. Look for the Speaker View button located in the lower right corner of your screen. It is usually displayed as an ear with a microphone icon. Click on it to activate Speaker View. Once Speaker View is activated, the video feed will automatically focus on the person who is speaking. Even if someone else starts speaking, the view will adjust to focus on the new speaker. If Speaker View is already active and another participant starts speaking, you can double-click their video to lock the view on them. Doing this will override the automatic adjustment and keep the feed focused on the selected participant.

Using Gallery View Mode

Gallery view is another layout that can be helpful in managing multiple video feeds. While it does not offer an expandable view for a specific participant, it can provide a wider overview of the meeting participants. This layout ensures that your view is not limited to the person speaking.

Steps to Change to Gallery View:

During a Zoom meeting, locate the View icon, usually an eye symbol, in the top menu bar. Select the Gallery View option. This will change the display to show all active participants in a grid layout. In this view, you can scroll through the thumbnails to find a clearer view of a specific participant. Hovering over a thumbnail or clicking on it may provide a larger preview.

Tips for a Better Viewing Experience

In addition to using Speaker View and Gallery View, there are some additional tips that can help enhance your viewing experience:

Adjust the Zoom Levels: While still in a gallery view, you can hover over a participant’s thumbnail and use the zoom controls to ensure you have a clear view of their face. Use High-Resolution Cameras: Ensure that you and other participants have high-resolution cameras for better clarity. Poor video quality can make it harder to see details in the video feeds. Seat Placement: If possible, ask the host or meeting facilitator to rearrange the seating to ensure that the camera angles are optimal for the participants you are trying to see. Use External Monitors: If you are attending the meeting on a laptop or mobile device, consider using an external monitor that might have better display resolution for a clearer view. Low-Light Adjustments: If the light is dim, ask the participant to set up their lighting better or adjust your own lighting to see them more clearly.

Conclusion:

While the built-in features in Zoom offer limited control over the video feeds as a non-host, Speaker View and Gallery View can be used to get a better viewing experience. By following the steps outlined above, you can maximize your ability to focus on specific participants without directly managing the host functions. Remember that every meeting situation is unique, and sometimes using additional hardware like external monitors or asking for seating adjustments can also greatly enhance your viewing experience.