A Generic Web Component for WebRTC Pub-Sub

TL;DR

The paper introduces video-io, a versatile web component for WebRTC media streaming that simplifies development and enhances flexibility across multiple services by decoupling application logic from vendor-specific implementations.

Contribution

It presents a generic WebRTC web component with a named stream abstraction and demonstrates its adaptability by implementing connectors for ten different systems.

Findings

Supports multiple existing systems with a single component

Enables vendor-agnostic WebRTC application development

Promotes innovation by decoupling app logic from vendor services

Abstract

We present video-io, a generic web component to publish or subscribe to a media stream in WebRTC (web real-time communication) applications. Unlike a call or conference room abstraction of existing video conferencing services, it uses a named stream abstraction, which is useful in many scenarios beyond just a call or conference. It keeps most of the application logic in the endpoint using the extensive application interface of this component, and keeps any vendor specific access control or signaling negotiation in a service-specific connector implementation. This allows an app developer to write once, and be able to run the web app on different servers or services. We also demonstrate its flexibility by implementing the connector for ten different existing systems and services. Decoupling the app from the hosted vendor service promotes innovation in the endpoint beyond what a single vendor locked client app can offer.