Collaborate uses dynamic bandwidth adjusting for Chrome and Firefox users. This allows Collaborate to actively monitor a user’s network connection and adjust the download speeds before a user should experience issues.
The primary factors in bandwidth consumption for Collaborate Ultra are sharing webcam videos and sharing applications.
- Webcam video bandwidth uses ranges from 360kbps down to 20kbps per camera, up to 4 cameras
- Audio always uses 48kbps
- Ability to receive application sharing and audio as low as 88kbps
- Application sharing bandwidth uses ranges from 500kbps down to 70kbps
- It can show 4 cameras with audio as low as 128kbps and with a max of 1488kbps.
A small amount of overhead is also required for chat, and so on.
If network conditions falter and can’t sustain the minimum bandwidth needed, Collaborate will turn off cameras and application sharing. For 1 camera and audio the trigger will be 68 kbps and for application sharing and audio 118 kbps.
When network conditions improve, the cameras and application sharing will turn back on automatically for Chrome and Firefox users.
For sessions where bandwidth is a concern, we recommend that no attendees share their webcam video unless required for the instruction. We also recommend that the moderator or presenter use file sharing and whiteboard for content instead of application sharing. Use application sharing when it is required for the instruction. With no video and application sharing, a user with 128kbps connection will be able to participate fully in the session.