What is WebRTC?
WebRTC is a free open project that enables real-time group and peer-to-peer communications through web browsers, without requiring any additional encoders or plug-ins.
WebRTC enables multiple browsers to communicate with one another directly, allowing for video conferencing between individuals and small groups.
Is WebRTC right for you?
WebRTC may be a good fit for you if:
- You require group video conferencing or real-time interactivity. Depending on your implementation, WebRTC may be a good option for group video conferencing and interactive use cases with smaller audiences.
- You need to build and/or broadcast through a web app quickly and easily, without heavy infrastructure. Since WebRTC makes use of HTML5 APIs, it allows you to utilize many of the features built into the HTML5 programming language through a lightweight, embedded framework.
WebRTC may not be ideal for your use case if:
- You need to stream at scale, or prepare for ‘viral’ viewership spikes. All developers hope their streaming applications will go viral, with thousands or even millions of viewers watching. However, with that many users comes a big scalability question. Currently, WebRTC is very limited in its ability to scale without a network of live-repeating servers.
- You need broadcast-quality streaming. Today, you can’t reliably stream broadcast-quality video through a WebRTC infrastructure. A certain bitrate, speed and level of network connectivity is required in order to get high-quality content to end viewers, but you can’t control the networks or connections those viewers are using to access your content.
Many of the issues with WebRTC noted above can be alleviated by using a media server such as Wowza Streaming Engine. Media servers provide greater control over your streaming and connectivity, and allow you to provide a more consistent viewing experience for all users.
Click HERE to to view best use cases for WebRTC and to learn more.
Wowza Streaming Engine now supports WebRTC, offering broadcast opportunities that go beyond peer-to-peer. Using WebRTC with Wowza Streaming Engine can help alleviate concerns about quality and scalability, while optimizing bandwidth.
Which version of Wowza Streaming Engine do I need?
If you’d like to use WebRTC, you must update your Wowza Streaming Engine media server software to version 4.7.7.
How do I get started?
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For step-by-step instructions on how to update to Streaming Engine 4.7.7, see Update your Wowza Streaming Engine installation.
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Next, learn how to set up WebRTC streaming in Wowza Streaming Engine here in this step by step tutorial.
Don’t have Wowza Streaming Engine yet and want to try WebRTC?
Get a free 180 day Developer trial HERE.
Learn more about Wowza Streaming Engine with WebRTC in our blog:
https://www.wowza.com/blog/what-is-webrtc
