WebRTC: Handling media on the web

Abstract

WebRTC is a growing set of JavaScript APIs for HTML5 that make it easy to capture media from cameras and microphones, screens, windows, and applications, and even from other HTML elements and then stream that media, live, directly to other web browsers. Different from the traditional client-server model of the web, this client-to-client communication enables more efficient communications, particularly in combination with the built-in firewall traversal capabilities. Also built in are critical signal processing capabilities and top-quality codecs. Ultimately, the most significant aspect of WebRTC is how it enables communications to be embedded into existing web applications, deepening engagement, and enhancing community.