Search icon CANCEL
Subscription
0
Cart icon
Your Cart (0 item)
Close icon
You have no products in your basket yet
Save more on your purchases now! discount-offer-chevron-icon
Savings automatically calculated. No voucher code required.
Arrow left icon
Explore Products
Best Sellers
New Releases
Books
Videos
Audiobooks
Learning Hub
Conferences
Free Learning
Arrow right icon
Getting Started with WebRTC
Getting Started with WebRTC

Getting Started with WebRTC: If you have basic HTML and JavaScript, you're well on the way to adding real time, peer-to-peer communication to your web applications using WebRTC. This book shows you how through a totally practical, structured course.

eBook
€14.99 €21.99
Paperback
€26.99
Subscription
Free Trial
Renews at €18.99p/m

What do you get with Print?

Product feature icon Instant access to your digital eBook copy whilst your Print order is Shipped
Product feature icon Paperback book shipped to your preferred address
Product feature icon Download this book in EPUB and PDF formats
Product feature icon Access this title in our online reader with advanced features
Product feature icon DRM FREE - Read whenever, wherever and however you want
OR
Modal Close icon
Payment Processing...
tick Completed

Shipping Address

Billing Address

Shipping Methods
Table of content icon View table of contents Preview book icon Preview Book

Getting Started with WebRTC

Chapter 2. A More Technical Introduction to Web-based Real-Time Communication

This chapter introduces you to the technical concepts behind the new Web-based Real-Time Communication (WebRTC) standards. After reading this chapter, you will have a clear understanding of the following topics:

  • How to set up peer-to-peer communication

  • The signaling options available

  • How the key APIs relate to each other

Setting up communication


Although the basis of WebRTC communication is peer-to-peer, the initial step of setting up this communication requires some sort of coordination. This is most commonly provided by a web server and/or a signaling server. This enables two or more WebRTC capable devices or peers to find each other, exchange contact details, negotiate a session that defines how they will communicate, and then finally establish the direct peer-to-peer streams of media that flows between them.

The general flow

There are a wide range of scenarios, ranging from single web page demos running on a single device to complex distributed multi-party conferencing with a combination of media relays and archiving services. To get started, we will focus on the most common flow, which covers two web browsers using WebRTC to set up a simple video call between them.

Following is the summary of this flow:

  • Connect users

  • Start signals

  • Find candidates

  • Negotiate media sessions

  • Start RTCPeerConnection streams

Connect...

MediaStream API


The MediaStream API is designed to allow you to access streams of media from local input devices, such as cameras and microphones. It was initially focused upon the getUserMedia API or gUM for short, but has now been formalized as the broader media capture and streams API, or MediaStream API for short. However, the getUserMedia() method is still the primary way to initiate access to local input devices.

Each MediaStream object can contain a number of different MediaStreamTrack objects that each represents different input media, such as video or audio from different input sources.

Each MediaStreamTrack can then contain multiple channels (for example, the left and right audio channels). These channels are the smallest units that are defined by the MediaStream API.

MediaStream objects can then be output in two key ways. First, they can be used to render output into a MediaElement such as a <video> or <audio> element (although the latter may require pre-processing...

RTCPeerConnection API


The RTCPeerConnection API is the heart of the peer-to-peer connection between each of the WebRTC enabled browsers or peers. To create an RTCPeerConnection object, you use the var peerconnection = RTCPeerConnection(configuration); constructor. The configuration variable contains at least one key named iceServers, which is an array of URL objects that contain information about STUN, and possibly TURN servers, used during the finding candidates phase.

The peerconnection object is then used in slightly different ways on each client, depending upon whether you are the caller or the callee.

The caller's flow

Here's a summary of the caller's flow after the peerconnection object is created:

  • Register the onicecandidate handler

  • Register the onaddstream handler

  • Register the message handler

  • Use getUserMedia to access the local camera

  • The JSEP offer/answer process

Register the onicecandidate handler

First, you register an onicecandidate handler that sends any ICE candidates to the other peer...

RTCDataChannel API


As well as sending media streams between peers using WebRTC, it is also possible to use the DataChannel API to send arbitrary streams of data. Although many people commonly refer to this as the RTCDataChannel API, it is more accurately defined as just the WebRTC DataChannel API and is created by using the var datachannel = peerconnection.createDataChannel(label); constructor. It is a very flexible and powerful solution that has been specifically designed to be similar to the WebSocket API through the send() method and the onmessage event.

At the time of writing this chapter, this API is still in a state of flux with the varying browser implementations still struggling with standardization.

Summary


You should now have a clear overview of the various APIs and protocols that combine to make WebRTC work.

Throughout the rest of the book, we will explore the MediaStream, RTCPeerConnection, and RTCDataChannel APIs in more detail as we work to apply these concepts to real world examples.

First, we will start by fleshing out the simple peer-to-peer video call scenario into a fully working application.

Then, we will explore how this can be simplified down to just an audio only call or extended with text-based chat and file sharing.

And then, we will explore two real-world application scenarios based upon e-learning and team communication.

Left arrow icon Right arrow icon

Key benefits

  • Set up video calls easily with a low bandwidth audio only option using WebRTC
  • Extend your application using real-time text-based chat, and collaborate easily by adding real-time drag-and-drop file sharing
  • Create your own fully working WebRTC application in minutes

Description

WebRTC delivers web-based real-time communication and is set to revolutionize our view of what the Web really is. Streaming audio and video from browser to browser, as well as opening raw access to the camera and microphone, is already creating a whole new dynamic web. WebRTC also introduces real-time data channels that will allow interaction with dynamic data feeds from sensors and other devices. This really is a great time to be a web developer! Getting Started with WebRTC provides all of the practical information you need to quickly understand what WebRTC is, how it works, and how you can add it to your own web applications. It includes clear working examples designed to help you get started building your own WebRTC-enabled applications right away. Getting Started with WebRTC will guide you through the process of creating your own WebRTC application that can be applied in a number of different real-world situations, using well documented and clearly explained code examples. You will learn how to quickly and easily create a practical peer-to-peer video chat application, an audio only call option, and how a Web-Socket-based signaling server can also be used to enable real-time text-based chat. You will also be shown how this same server and application structure can easily be extended to include simple drag-and-drop file sharing with transfer updates and thumbnail previews.

Who is this book for?

This book is ideal for developers new to the WebRTC standards who are interested in adding sensor-driven, real-time, peer-to-peer communication to their web applications. You will only need basic experience with HTML and JavaScript.

What you will learn

  • Discover how to offer an audio only option as an alternative
  • Create an extensible Web Socket signaling server
  • Detect which browsers support WebRTC
  • Extend your application with real-time text-based chat
  • Add rich collaboration with drag-and-drop file sharing
  • Use RTCDataChannels to share real-time data
  • Design a state-based user interface for WebRTC apps
  • Explore the options available for image and audio post-processing and analysis
Estimated delivery fee Deliver to Slovakia

Premium delivery 7 - 10 business days

€25.95
(Includes tracking information)

Product Details

Country selected
Publication date, Length, Edition, Language, ISBN-13
Publication date : Sep 25, 2013
Length: 114 pages
Edition : 1st
Language : English
ISBN-13 : 9781782166306
Vendor :
Node.js Developers
Languages :
Tools :

What do you get with Print?

Product feature icon Instant access to your digital eBook copy whilst your Print order is Shipped
Product feature icon Paperback book shipped to your preferred address
Product feature icon Download this book in EPUB and PDF formats
Product feature icon Access this title in our online reader with advanced features
Product feature icon DRM FREE - Read whenever, wherever and however you want
OR
Modal Close icon
Payment Processing...
tick Completed

Shipping Address

Billing Address

Shipping Methods
Estimated delivery fee Deliver to Slovakia

Premium delivery 7 - 10 business days

€25.95
(Includes tracking information)

Product Details

Publication date : Sep 25, 2013
Length: 114 pages
Edition : 1st
Language : English
ISBN-13 : 9781782166306
Vendor :
Node.js Developers
Languages :
Tools :

Packt Subscriptions

See our plans and pricing
Modal Close icon
€18.99 billed monthly
Feature tick icon Unlimited access to Packt's library of 7,000+ practical books and videos
Feature tick icon Constantly refreshed with 50+ new titles a month
Feature tick icon Exclusive Early access to books as they're written
Feature tick icon Solve problems while you work with advanced search and reference features
Feature tick icon Offline reading on the mobile app
Feature tick icon Simple pricing, no contract
€189.99 billed annually
Feature tick icon Unlimited access to Packt's library of 7,000+ practical books and videos
Feature tick icon Constantly refreshed with 50+ new titles a month
Feature tick icon Exclusive Early access to books as they're written
Feature tick icon Solve problems while you work with advanced search and reference features
Feature tick icon Offline reading on the mobile app
Feature tick icon Choose a DRM-free eBook or Video every month to keep
Feature tick icon PLUS own as many other DRM-free eBooks or Videos as you like for just €5 each
Feature tick icon Exclusive print discounts
€264.99 billed in 18 months
Feature tick icon Unlimited access to Packt's library of 7,000+ practical books and videos
Feature tick icon Constantly refreshed with 50+ new titles a month
Feature tick icon Exclusive Early access to books as they're written
Feature tick icon Solve problems while you work with advanced search and reference features
Feature tick icon Offline reading on the mobile app
Feature tick icon Choose a DRM-free eBook or Video every month to keep
Feature tick icon PLUS own as many other DRM-free eBooks or Videos as you like for just €5 each
Feature tick icon Exclusive print discounts

Frequently bought together


Stars icon
Total 62.98
Getting Started with WebRTC
€26.99
WebRTC Blueprints
€35.99
Total 62.98 Stars icon

Table of Contents

8 Chapters
An Introduction to Web-based Real-Time Communication Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
A More Technical Introduction to Web-based Real-Time Communication Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Creating a Real-time Video Call Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Creating an Audio Only Call Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Adding Text-based Chat Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Adding File Sharing Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Example Application 1 – Education and E-learning Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Example Application 2 – Team Communication Chevron down icon Chevron up icon

Customer reviews

Top Reviews
Rating distribution
Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Half star icon 4.3
(12 Ratings)
5 star 66.7%
4 star 16.7%
3 star 0%
2 star 16.7%
1 star 0%
Filter icon Filter
Top Reviews

Filter reviews by




George Chen Mar 02, 2014
Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon 5
A good introduction for WebRTC.If you are new to the WebRTC, you should try it to get some useful knowledge.
Amazon Verified review Amazon
nacho Dec 04, 2013
Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon 5
This book makes a first introduction to WebRTC in a very general way, easy to understand for everyone.After this part, more technical details have been compiled so it also gives you a general overview of how a communication using WebRTC technology works and how to build your own service. The level of details in this part of the book I think is quite good for beginners.Finally, two scenarios are described in detail so the advantages of using WebRTC are shown. I really appreciate the sections highlighting the potential issues to be taken under account for each of the scenarios.As other user commented, I wish I could have had this book some months ago. Nevertheless, I would recommend it to anyone getting into WebRTC.
Amazon Verified review Amazon
Junaid Kirkire Apr 17, 2016
Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon 5
Great for programmers who want a hands-on introduction to WebRTC.
Amazon Verified review Amazon
Kader Khan Dec 22, 2013
Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon 5
Hi,I am not a developer since more than 10 years now. However I was curious to understand the basics of WebRTC from developer perpective. There were lot of resources in internet however was not clear enough to get started and as well to understand the whole picture.I read the "Getting Started with WebRTC" book, and i can say this book is well structured for the starters and leads to a way to advanced programming left to the one skills and imagination. The best part is the example working code and the clear exlanation is exemplenary.I for sure recommend this book for all individuals who needs to understand and excel in thier WebRTC world of Career.Best Regards,Kader.
Amazon Verified review Amazon
Peter C Salerno Nov 04, 2013
Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon 5
The book "Getting Started with WebRTC" by Rob Manson ( [...] )is an easy to understand introduction to building WebRTC applications. It is a good investment for anyone wanting to build the next generation of social networking services. The book can be view as having three sections: top-level, basic cookbook, and conciderations for advanced use cases.The first chapters cover the top-level information. Chapter 1 is a general introduction including a bit of the the why and who of WebRTC. Chapter 2 goes into the overall technical architecture. The information is organized and accurate, but it could benefit from a diagram or two to illustrate the text.Chapters 3 to 6 provide a cookbook approach. Starting with basic video and audio applications. There is an interesting twist where he adds a chatroulette feature to the application. Then the application is rounded out by adding in text chat and filesharing. Adding to the value of the bbok, the code for these chapters is available for download.The last two chapters focus on applying WebRTC in E-learning and Team Communication use-cases. Rob discusses consideration of the users and the network. Privacy, security and network adminstraion issues are rasied.Overall this is a very good book to get you started with WebRTC.
Amazon Verified review Amazon
Get free access to Packt library with over 7500+ books and video courses for 7 days!
Start Free Trial

FAQs

What is the delivery time and cost of print book? Chevron down icon Chevron up icon

Shipping Details

USA:

'

Economy: Delivery to most addresses in the US within 10-15 business days

Premium: Trackable Delivery to most addresses in the US within 3-8 business days

UK:

Economy: Delivery to most addresses in the U.K. within 7-9 business days.
Shipments are not trackable

Premium: Trackable delivery to most addresses in the U.K. within 3-4 business days!
Add one extra business day for deliveries to Northern Ireland and Scottish Highlands and islands

EU:

Premium: Trackable delivery to most EU destinations within 4-9 business days.

Australia:

Economy: Can deliver to P. O. Boxes and private residences.
Trackable service with delivery to addresses in Australia only.
Delivery time ranges from 7-9 business days for VIC and 8-10 business days for Interstate metro
Delivery time is up to 15 business days for remote areas of WA, NT & QLD.

Premium: Delivery to addresses in Australia only
Trackable delivery to most P. O. Boxes and private residences in Australia within 4-5 days based on the distance to a destination following dispatch.

India:

Premium: Delivery to most Indian addresses within 5-6 business days

Rest of the World:

Premium: Countries in the American continent: Trackable delivery to most countries within 4-7 business days

Asia:

Premium: Delivery to most Asian addresses within 5-9 business days

Disclaimer:
All orders received before 5 PM U.K time would start printing from the next business day. So the estimated delivery times start from the next day as well. Orders received after 5 PM U.K time (in our internal systems) on a business day or anytime on the weekend will begin printing the second to next business day. For example, an order placed at 11 AM today will begin printing tomorrow, whereas an order placed at 9 PM tonight will begin printing the day after tomorrow.


Unfortunately, due to several restrictions, we are unable to ship to the following countries:

  1. Afghanistan
  2. American Samoa
  3. Belarus
  4. Brunei Darussalam
  5. Central African Republic
  6. The Democratic Republic of Congo
  7. Eritrea
  8. Guinea-bissau
  9. Iran
  10. Lebanon
  11. Libiya Arab Jamahriya
  12. Somalia
  13. Sudan
  14. Russian Federation
  15. Syrian Arab Republic
  16. Ukraine
  17. Venezuela
What is custom duty/charge? Chevron down icon Chevron up icon

Customs duty are charges levied on goods when they cross international borders. It is a tax that is imposed on imported goods. These duties are charged by special authorities and bodies created by local governments and are meant to protect local industries, economies, and businesses.

Do I have to pay customs charges for the print book order? Chevron down icon Chevron up icon

The orders shipped to the countries that are listed under EU27 will not bear custom charges. They are paid by Packt as part of the order.

List of EU27 countries: www.gov.uk/eu-eea:

A custom duty or localized taxes may be applicable on the shipment and would be charged by the recipient country outside of the EU27 which should be paid by the customer and these duties are not included in the shipping charges been charged on the order.

How do I know my custom duty charges? Chevron down icon Chevron up icon

The amount of duty payable varies greatly depending on the imported goods, the country of origin and several other factors like the total invoice amount or dimensions like weight, and other such criteria applicable in your country.

For example:

  • If you live in Mexico, and the declared value of your ordered items is over $ 50, for you to receive a package, you will have to pay additional import tax of 19% which will be $ 9.50 to the courier service.
  • Whereas if you live in Turkey, and the declared value of your ordered items is over € 22, for you to receive a package, you will have to pay additional import tax of 18% which will be € 3.96 to the courier service.
How can I cancel my order? Chevron down icon Chevron up icon

Cancellation Policy for Published Printed Books:

You can cancel any order within 1 hour of placing the order. Simply contact customercare@packt.com with your order details or payment transaction id. If your order has already started the shipment process, we will do our best to stop it. However, if it is already on the way to you then when you receive it, you can contact us at customercare@packt.com using the returns and refund process.

Please understand that Packt Publishing cannot provide refunds or cancel any order except for the cases described in our Return Policy (i.e. Packt Publishing agrees to replace your printed book because it arrives damaged or material defect in book), Packt Publishing will not accept returns.

What is your returns and refunds policy? Chevron down icon Chevron up icon

Return Policy:

We want you to be happy with your purchase from Packtpub.com. We will not hassle you with returning print books to us. If the print book you receive from us is incorrect, damaged, doesn't work or is unacceptably late, please contact Customer Relations Team on customercare@packt.com with the order number and issue details as explained below:

  1. If you ordered (eBook, Video or Print Book) incorrectly or accidentally, please contact Customer Relations Team on customercare@packt.com within one hour of placing the order and we will replace/refund you the item cost.
  2. Sadly, if your eBook or Video file is faulty or a fault occurs during the eBook or Video being made available to you, i.e. during download then you should contact Customer Relations Team within 14 days of purchase on customercare@packt.com who will be able to resolve this issue for you.
  3. You will have a choice of replacement or refund of the problem items.(damaged, defective or incorrect)
  4. Once Customer Care Team confirms that you will be refunded, you should receive the refund within 10 to 12 working days.
  5. If you are only requesting a refund of one book from a multiple order, then we will refund you the appropriate single item.
  6. Where the items were shipped under a free shipping offer, there will be no shipping costs to refund.

On the off chance your printed book arrives damaged, with book material defect, contact our Customer Relation Team on customercare@packt.com within 14 days of receipt of the book with appropriate evidence of damage and we will work with you to secure a replacement copy, if necessary. Please note that each printed book you order from us is individually made by Packt's professional book-printing partner which is on a print-on-demand basis.

What tax is charged? Chevron down icon Chevron up icon

Currently, no tax is charged on the purchase of any print book (subject to change based on the laws and regulations). A localized VAT fee is charged only to our European and UK customers on eBooks, Video and subscriptions that they buy. GST is charged to Indian customers for eBooks and video purchases.

What payment methods can I use? Chevron down icon Chevron up icon

You can pay with the following card types:

  1. Visa Debit
  2. Visa Credit
  3. MasterCard
  4. PayPal
What is the delivery time and cost of print books? Chevron down icon Chevron up icon

Shipping Details

USA:

'

Economy: Delivery to most addresses in the US within 10-15 business days

Premium: Trackable Delivery to most addresses in the US within 3-8 business days

UK:

Economy: Delivery to most addresses in the U.K. within 7-9 business days.
Shipments are not trackable

Premium: Trackable delivery to most addresses in the U.K. within 3-4 business days!
Add one extra business day for deliveries to Northern Ireland and Scottish Highlands and islands

EU:

Premium: Trackable delivery to most EU destinations within 4-9 business days.

Australia:

Economy: Can deliver to P. O. Boxes and private residences.
Trackable service with delivery to addresses in Australia only.
Delivery time ranges from 7-9 business days for VIC and 8-10 business days for Interstate metro
Delivery time is up to 15 business days for remote areas of WA, NT & QLD.

Premium: Delivery to addresses in Australia only
Trackable delivery to most P. O. Boxes and private residences in Australia within 4-5 days based on the distance to a destination following dispatch.

India:

Premium: Delivery to most Indian addresses within 5-6 business days

Rest of the World:

Premium: Countries in the American continent: Trackable delivery to most countries within 4-7 business days

Asia:

Premium: Delivery to most Asian addresses within 5-9 business days

Disclaimer:
All orders received before 5 PM U.K time would start printing from the next business day. So the estimated delivery times start from the next day as well. Orders received after 5 PM U.K time (in our internal systems) on a business day or anytime on the weekend will begin printing the second to next business day. For example, an order placed at 11 AM today will begin printing tomorrow, whereas an order placed at 9 PM tonight will begin printing the day after tomorrow.


Unfortunately, due to several restrictions, we are unable to ship to the following countries:

  1. Afghanistan
  2. American Samoa
  3. Belarus
  4. Brunei Darussalam
  5. Central African Republic
  6. The Democratic Republic of Congo
  7. Eritrea
  8. Guinea-bissau
  9. Iran
  10. Lebanon
  11. Libiya Arab Jamahriya
  12. Somalia
  13. Sudan
  14. Russian Federation
  15. Syrian Arab Republic
  16. Ukraine
  17. Venezuela