Where is Audio & Video call Button ?

[RiusmaX]

Description:

I've installed a fresh instance of Rocket.Chat 0.61 on Ubuntu 16.04 with snapd and when i'm in a private chat with someone, I can't see the "Call Button" for start an audio or a video call anywhere (WebRTC is set).

Server Setup Information:

• Version of Rocket.Chat Server: 0.61.0
• Operating System: Ubuntu Server 16.04 (fresh install)
• Deployment Method(snap/docker/tar/etc): snap (i've tried docker too)
• Number of Running Instances: 1
• DB Replicaset Oplog: Activated
• Node Version: 8.8.1

Steps to Reproduce:

1. Run a VM with Ubuntu 16.04
2. Run in a terminal "sudo snap install rocketchat-server"
3. Go to http://:3000
4. Create an account
5. Ask a Friend or take a second device to create a second account
6. Try to launch a call

Expected behavior:

The buttons "Call" is displayed in the user section.

Actual behavior:

Impossible to find the button anywhere. I can only use the Jitsi call feature.

[rasos]

Check if WebRTC is activated https://yourdomain.net/admin/WebRTC
duplicate of #9632 ?

[ElieMyIdea]

+1
Duplicated by itself 😋 ?
Like said before, WebRTC is enable in admin Panel with default parameters set ;)

Please need some help 🙏

[afroDC]

We're also experiencing the same issue.

[LifeIsAParadox]

same.

[xenithorb]

This should be probably retitled:

"WebRTC Administration options left behind after feature removal"

Nevermind that, I read something wrong

[der-eismann]

I just noticed that I can start audio & video calls, but only in private rooms & open channels. In direct messages the option is missing.

[xenithorb]

@der-eismann That sounds more like the meet.jit.si integration?

Does the button say "Video Chat?", if so that's the jitsi integration.

The symptom of this bug for me is that if I disable that functionality from the admin panel via Administration -> Video Conference - Enabled: False then the menu for any conversation whether private, direct, or public looks like so:

The point being, that this is with Administration -> WebRTC -> Enabled For *: True

[der-eismann]

No, I have jitsi and video conferences disabled and enabled WebRTC everywhere. But the audio & video calls are still missing from direct messages.
This is the user information in a room or channel:

And this is in direct messages:

[xenithorb]

Indeed, I found it too:

Man that's in a really unintuitive spot.

[xenithorb]

Also, It's true that User<->User rooms don't have this... And to make things work the icon is overloaded:

Contrast that with the previous behavior:

[karlprieb]

Hey guys, thank you all for your reports!

@arthurgiustina will work on a better way to display this options (icons + label, or just icons, idk) and I will investigate that to make it work again!

[arthurgiustina]

@karlprieb check this idea =)

[xenithorb]

I really like that, including how the mute icon is clearer about its intentions. Well done.

[Phuzzy112]

Hi all,
I'm about 90% done with putting RC into prod here, but am getting pressured about this. Any ETA that I could pass along?

PS love that mockup

[versavius]

Also in the drop down menu next to a user in the attached screenshot we have the "Video Chat" button if this was changed to two buttons "Audio Call" and "Video Call" as well as arthurgiustina suggestion that would make it so much easier to make audio/video calls.

[graywolf336]

@karlprieb when you guys go to do this, please add these convert this pull request to the new style: #3635

[avignat]

Please bring those buttons back. I'm also affected running Rocket 0.65.0 with WebRTC enable for MP, private and public groups.

[reetp]

I only use video/audio when in Direct Messages, and the person I do use video with mainly is hardly ever in the private group, which means I now have to scroll back to find their last comment in the group to start a call.
Frustrating and wastes time.

[jrichard8]

Version 0.64.2

WebRTC activated and dont have button to launch voice call. Whats wrong ?

[Shaverdoff]

@hortonelectric Jitsi integration is already available in the fairchat app (which can connect to any RC server, see Android / iOS stores).

on mobile ios client no any video options like start video(jitsi/BB) or something else like WebRTC.
on mobile android client webrtc option is appears but it grayout like disabled, even if options turn on on server side.

[rasos]

@Shaverdoff Jitsi must be configured on your server, then you see in the fairchat app in any chat or channel in the lower bar a video icon, which launches the Jitsi Meet app seamlessly (or suggests to install it first).

[Shaverdoff]

@Shaverdoff Jitsi must be configured on your server, then you see in the fairchat app in any chat or channel in the lower bar a video icon, which launches the Jitsi Meet app seamlessly (or suggests to install it first).

ofcouse it configured.. 074 tar
m-p : IOS 12.1.3 client 3.2.0 (223)
this photo from mobile

and this photo from desktop client.

do not know how in currently android version was, but cuple month ago no point to video not to mention about photo...

[rasos]

The screenshot with the cat is from the fairchat app - it is an independent app development compatible with RocketChat servers, which has video calls integrated.

Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.osalliance.rocketchatMobile

iOS: https://itunes.apple.com/at/app/fairchat/id1301616129?mt=8

Source Code: https://git.fairkom.net/chat/fairchat/

[Shaverdoff]

The screenshot with the cat is from the fairchat app - it is an independent app development compatible with RocketChat servers, which has video calls integrated.

Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.osalliance.rocketchatMobile

iOS: https://itunes.apple.com/at/app/fairchat/id1301616129?mt=8

Source Code: https://git.fairkom.net/chat/fairchat/

after add server and click to it - app crash) cool!) i wait until ios team with Refael as Lead will procced with video

[pwittke]

any updates?

[ministry-of-code]

How can it be that a core feature is fundamentally broken and nobody cares?

[Shaverdoff]

now even webrtc enable on pv - video/audio button do not work))

[reetp]

How can it be that a core feature is fundamentally broken and nobody cares?

It's not that they don't care, but the direction of travel is to remove this sort of functionality from the core and move it to Apps/External programs eg in this case Jitsi and in say the case of the internal bot to an external bot system.

It means it simplifies the core making it easier to maintain and manage.

Also remember to date Rocket is essentially Alpha which means things get chopped and changed.

[ministry-of-code]

@reetp thanks for the information. we're in the process of evaluating to use rocket chat for our company and this does not really help to say "it's great, lets go with it". I understand that it makes sense to remove this stuff from core and replace with external services - but even these integrations are broken. We integrated Jitsi and it does not work. When someone starts a video conference, nobody in the channel can join because the link simply does not work (nothing happens when the link is clicked). Also, the admin menu entry WebRTC should be remove when it does not work/is not integrated any more.

[9joshua]

I would say it is foolish to stop maintaining a core feature unless a viable app can replace it. Otherwise, we let things deteriorate while we anticipate something that may never come to pass. And in the case of WebRTC, I think 1 to 1 calls should always be a core functionality. What's next? Do we need to find an app for messages? Should RocketChat be reduced to an app container?

This issue has persisted for more than a year now. It's time to fix it and stop waiting for apps.

[HammyHavoc]

@discon-nected, ridiculous, right? With this thought process in mind and a lack of basic communication functionality outside of messaging, we've been forced to go elsewhere for our communication needs. It's a pity, because Rocket.Chat was otherwise a very promising project, and I've enjoyed contributing.

[9joshua]

@HammyHavoc I guess the RC team became busy selling their paid platforms. I have noticed issues are left open for years now and/or closed with "This is better suited for apps" or something similar.

i.e. RocketChat/feature-requests#610 #5506 https://github.com/RocketChat/Rocket.Chat/issues/3416 RocketChat/feature-requests#637

[Alwandy]

As some has mentioned, we're also currently evaluating to use rocket.chat but what hinders us is this functionality! We also do not want to use external apps / third party services to enable this feature, we really would like to use it if it's part of the core as we're self-hosting again for confidential reasons.

[pwittke]

Cutting a core feature that made many peoply move to RocketChat would be a mistake.

For many companies the sole reason of using such a system is to have it on a standalone basis with no external services connected due to privacy/security/confidentiality reasons.

And if the feature is planned to be removed I agree there should not be an option for it and the website should be updated.

But I guess we have to wait for the Devs to answer and clarify at one point in time.

[ggazzo]

@discon-nected we really want to move to apps... but it doesn't mean we gonna to abandon the features, it's how the framework/code structure works, our apps are our responsibility as the core code is. But on the other hand, if you don like some app/feature you could remove/install/develop a different app.

I have noticed issues are left open for years now and/or closed with "This is better suited for apps".
again its not true, your team its not so huge as you think. ok, its true we have tried to make some money, but our development team is 100% on nonpaid features. (some examples, federantion, threads and the new livechat).
I guess the RC team became busy selling their paid platforms.

@pwittke no! we never had this in mind, we have a planned project to fix/improve videos/audio, and I/we want to start very soon.

And if the feature is planned to be removed I agree there should not be an option for it and the website should be updated.

[9joshua]

we really want to move to apps... but it doesn't mean we gonna to abandon the features

Then why can't we make audio calls (for over a year now)?

And don't get me wrong, I have no problem using RC developed apps, but using 3rd party apps to achieve what should be core functionality while at the same time compromising security is a problem. (i.e., Jistsi)

Also, closing an issue with "this is better suited as an app" means that RC does not want to develop the particular feature in-house.

[MathiasGmeiner]

#9632 (comment)
@ggazzo thanks for the clarification!

[ggazzo]

we really want to move to apps... but it doesn't mean we gonna to abandon the features

Then why can't we make audio calls (for over a year now)?

And don't get me wrong, I have no problem using RC developed apps, but using 3rd party apps to achieve what should be core functionality while at the same time compromising security is a problem. (i.e., Jistsi)

there are no excuses fot that, actually, I just can say we had no time to make a proper fix... but believe me, I'm not happy with that, please await for the next weeks :x

[9joshua]

That's great news. I will wait impatiently :D

[rasos]

@Shaverdoff you may try again the fairchat app, the 1.2.1 version has got fixed the server change bug. It seamlessly calls the Jitsi Meet app when you get an invitation to join a conference call.

[Shaverdoff]

@Shaverdoff you may try again the fairchat app, the 1.2.1 version has got fixed the server change bug. It seamlessly calls the Jitsi Meet app when you get an invitation to join a conference call.

in 12/1/4 iOS that fairchat forclose after try to enter server url and press connect. so...

[ggazzo]

@discon-nected please check #13675

[9joshua]

Sweet. Thank you!

[melroy89]

Indeed, I found it too:

Man that's in a really unintuitive spot.

But that is only for a audio call one-on-one?

What about a Jitsi audio call only in either a channel or private group?