π€ AI Summary
This work proposes video-io, a generic Web component built upon WebRTC and Web Components standards, to address the limitations of existing WebRTC-based video communication services, which are typically confined to call- or room-centric models and tightly coupled with vendor-specific logic. By introducing named media stream abstractions, video-io keeps application logic on the client side and delegates vendor-specific signaling and access control to pluggable service connectors. This architecture decouples applications from underlying platforms, enabling write-once, deploy-anywhere capabilities across diverse environments. The authors demonstrate the frameworkβs cross-platform compatibility and architectural flexibility by implementing connectors for ten distinct systems, confirming its effectiveness in supporting flexible media publishing and subscription scenarios beyond traditional conferencing paradigms.
π 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.