How WebRTC works
WebRTC establishes a peer-to-peer connection between two endpoints using a signaling server to exchange connection metadata. Once the connection is established, media flows directly between peers (or through a relay server if needed), achieving sub-second latency.
- Signaling: exchange of SDP (Session Description Protocol) offers and answers
- ICE (Interactive Connectivity Establishment): finds the best network path between peers
- DTLS: encrypts the media transport layer for security
- SRTP: delivers encrypted audio and video in real time
Streaming latency comparison
Latency is the delay between capture and display. Different streaming technologies offer different latency trade-offs.
| Technology | Typical latency | Best for |
|---|
| WebRTC | < 1 second | Interactive events, auctions, sports betting |
| LL-HLS / LL-DASH | 2-5 seconds | Live events, Q&A sessions, webinars |
| Standard HLS | 15-30 seconds | Broadcasts, concerts, scheduled live events |
| RTMP | 3-5 seconds | Ingest from encoders (not viewer-facing) |
WebRTC use cases in video
Beyond video conferencing, WebRTC has found several applications in the video streaming industry where ultra-low latency is critical.
- Live auctions: bidders need to see the current item and price in real time
- Sports betting: viewers need to see the action before placing bets
- Interactive live events: audience participation, polls, and Q&A in real time
- Remote production: camera operators and directors collaborate with sub-second delay
- Surveillance and monitoring: real-time video feeds from cameras
What Videas uses for live streaming
Videas does not use WebRTC. A live stream comes in over RTMP — you paste a server URL and a stream key into OBS, vMix or whichever encoder you already use — and goes out over HLS through the CDN, on your site, your channel or an event page. Expect a few seconds between the scene and the viewer's screen: short enough to run a chat and answer questions during the broadcast, too long for someone to speak back from the room. The recording joins the media library as a replay as soon as the broadcast ends.
Frequently asked questions
What does WebRTC stand for?+
WebRTC stands for Web Real-Time Communication. It is an open-source framework for real-time audio, video and data transfer between browsers.
Does WebRTC need a plugin?+
No. WebRTC is natively supported by every modern browser — Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge — with no plugin or extension. That is one of its key advantages.
Is WebRTC better than HLS for live streaming?+
They answer different questions. WebRTC goes below one second, which makes it essential when the viewer has to react in real time, but it scales poorly. HLS absorbs thousands of concurrent viewers at the cost of a few seconds of delay.
Does Videas use WebRTC?+
No. A Videas live stream comes in over RTMP from your encoder and goes out over HLS through the CDN. That suits a webinar, a conference or a commented event, not a real-time exchange.
What is the latency of a live stream on Videas?+
A few seconds between what your camera films and what your viewers see. The exact figure depends on your encoder and on each viewer's connection; audience feedback comes through the chat, not through speech.
WebRTC or RTMP — what is the difference?+
RTMP is mostly used to push a feed from an encoder up to a platform, and browsers no longer read it. WebRTC runs end to end, from the capture device to the viewer's browser, which explains both its very low latency and its difficulty scaling.
How do I start a live stream on Videas?+
Videas gives you a server URL and a stream key. You paste them into OBS, vMix, Wirecast or any RTMP-compatible software, then start: the stream goes live a few seconds later, with no server to install and no port to open.
How many concurrent viewers can a live stream take?+
There is no tier to buy and no quota to declare before the event. The feed is distributed by a CDN that scales on its own, from ten viewers to several thousand.
Can I run a video conference with Videas?+
No. A Videas live stream is a broadcast: one source, many viewers, and a chat for feedback. The camera, the mixer, the titles and the branding stay with you, in your encoder.
Is the live stream recorded?+
Yes, with nothing to do. As soon as the broadcast ends, the recording joins your media library like any other video, ready to be subtitled, published or sold.