RecordRTC

Introduction to RecordRTC.js

RecordRTC.js is a versatile JavaScript library designed to make audio, video, screen, and canvas recording easier and more efficient on the web. This library leverages the capabilities of WebRTC, a technology that enables real-time communication over peer-to-peer networks, making it particularly useful for recording rich media content directly in web browsers.

Key Features

• Broad Media Support: RecordRTC.js allows users to record audio, video, screen shares, and even animations rendered on a 2D or 3D canvas, covering a wide range of use cases from basic audio recording to complex multimedia projects.

• Browser Compatibility: The library supports a variety of popular browsers, including Google Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Opera, and the new Edge, across different operating systems such as Windows, macOS, Ubuntu, iOS, and Android.

• Flexible Codecs: It supports multiple codecs for both video (VP8, VP9, H264, MKV) and audio (OPUS/VORBIS, PCM), thus offering flexibility depending on the project's performance and quality requirements.

Demonstrations and Usability

RecordRTC.js offers a robust API with several examples to get started. Below is a simple demonstration of how to record video using promises:

let stream = await navigator.mediaDevices.getUserMedia({video: true, audio: true});
let recorder = new RecordRTCPromisesHandler(stream, {
    type: 'video'
});
recorder.startRecording();

const sleep = m => new Promise(r => setTimeout(r, m));
await sleep(3000);

await recorder.stopRecording();
let blob = await recorder.getBlob();
invokeSaveAsDialog(blob);

And here is a similar example using regular method chaining:

navigator.mediaDevices.getUserMedia({
    video: true,
    audio: true
}).then(async function(stream) {
    let recorder = RecordRTC(stream, {
        type: 'video'
    });
    recorder.startRecording();

    const sleep = m => new Promise(r => setTimeout(r, m));
    await sleep(3000);

    recorder.stopRecording(function() {
        let blob = recorder.getBlob();
        invokeSaveAsDialog(blob);
    });
});

Configuration and Set-Up

RecordRTC.js can be added to your project using various methods such as including it via CDN, npm, or bower. It is highly configurable, allowing developers to customize settings like mimeType, recorderType, timeSlice, and bitrate, among others.

Advanced Features

• Automatic Recording Management: The library has built-in features for checking inactive tracks and managing recording durations, making it easier to handle recording sessions automatically.

• Data Management: Users can utilize APIs to store recorded data in indexed databases and control the recording process programmatically.

Addressing Echo Issues

To tackle potential echo problems during recording, it is recommended to mute the video element while setting the audio parameter in getUserMedia() to include echoCancellation: true.

Community and Support

RecordRTC.js boasts a vibrant community with resources such as unit tests, documentation, and open-source availability on GitHub. Users can engage through various platforms like GitHub issues, Stack Overflow, or even direct email to the author for support.

License

The library is released under the MIT license, which allows for modification and use in both personal and commercial projects, fostering a collaborative environment where developers can contribute to its growth and improvement.

Overall, RecordRTC.js is a powerful tool for developers looking to implement robust media recording features into web applications, offering an extensive range of options tailored to meet diverse project needs.