Implementing Video Call: Choosing a right video call service provider
Integrating Real-Time Video Call in application.
COVID has brought us all into the virtual world and this virtual world needs a platform over which people could interact. Building a Programable Video is a hard problem and is kind of re-inventing the wheel(The word ‘Exception’ is immortal), People have solved the hard problem so you don’t have to, you just have to choose a platform for your business.
There are various different providers in the market that you can choose to integrate with and provide a video calling functionality in your awesome app. Choosing a provider is an crucial part of implementation.
Points to keep in mind before choosing Programable Video Provider:
1. Room type:
Video calling is a room based interface where participants are requested to enter into the room have conversation and leave the room. participants can be one or multiple. There can be various types of rooms as we have in hotels, Room for 2 people, small group or for a huge conference. Price and features may vary according to room type.
2. Recordings:
If you require a recording of video calls you must ensure that room which you are choosing provides feature to toggle recording according to need.
Recordings must be available in parts and composition i.e separate audio-video recording, for individual and of groups based on need.
3. Encryption:
Does your provider allows encryption on channel through which tracks are exchanged. It may depend on room that you are choosing.
4. Direct upload to your storage:
When you are dealing with any confidential data this is must. Ensure that provider allows you a feature to upload track directly to your storage and of course if it does — check for a price if it’s worth.
5. Callbacks provided:
You must Ensure that you get all required callbacks such as room-created, participant-joined, participant-left, room-ended etc..
6. Downtime:
Before Integrating with any provider read articles and query asked about it and ensure there downtime is minimal.
7. Tech support:
This is very important for smooth integration and once you have integrated with a provider, there will be issues coming or cases which you have not thought of before ensure that your provider is quick to respond to your queries.
8. Fallback:
Always think of a fallback before you integrate with any third party provider. Your business must not suffer because of the downtime your provider takes, In this situation you should be ready with your PLAN-B.
9. SDK size:
Integrating SDK directly to your app may increase your app size so, it’s better to keep SDK as a separate module which gets installed when required and can be deleted independently.
10. Video track adaptability:
Adaptive streaming allows the video provider to create a different video for each of the screen sizes (or devices). we can stream a specific video file to fit specific screen sizes, ensuring that the viewer always receives a video that will look good.
Other than these — video quality and your pocket size play an important role while choosing a interface to integrate.
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Hope, reading this may help you to create a awesome project. If you can think of some more points please add them in comments.
