Open source video chat server not using flash

Question

Reading "Building the realtime user experience" by Ted Roden, I was wondering how to go further and get some video chat web app up and running without the use of flash.

So, in terms of feasibility:

• client-side: how can one access to cam and mic local streams not using flash ?
• server-side: are there any existing frameworks or open source servers (something like red5) that focus on this kind of use cases ? If not, what do I need to build my own (lightweight) visio chat server ?

I'm afraid flash seems to be the unique way to go for the moment, that's why I'm asking you folks, if someone could make it more obvious to me.

Answer 1

I haven't read the book, therefore maybe I don't see the point in building a non-flash videochat app today.

As you already gave a link to another post, where they talk about html5 and stuff, you can also see that today the easiest way is flash. Not only because it is well documented, but because people usually have flash on their machines - at least those who want to use video chat. This makes it easy to involve them in an experience like that. Flash is installed, so you don't need to force them to download any new plugins.

If new standards allow web developers to get free from flash, you will still need to wait for people to download the new browsers which let them enjoy the new standards.

But going back to your question, if you don't want it today, but asking in general: According to some pages I don't dare to quote here, html5 is what you are looking for. A "pluginless" world.

Answer 2

You might want to keep an eye on WebRTC. You can read more about it and the getUserMedia() API here. Presently, it only seems to be fully supported by Chrome, and partially by Firefox and Opera.