Camera should be disabled by default

[ArkadSt]

Your use case

What would you like to do?

I would like camera to be disabled by default, or at least an option should be present to configure the default behavior.

Why would you like to do it?

It would be more convenient and privacy respecting, also this would reduce the chance of leaving the camera on by accident, as right now you have to press the button every time you join in order to disable it.

How would you like to achieve it?

Preferably by changing the default behavior (video off by default), or providing an option to set such behavior. May also just add a voice call button if the design of the application allows.

Have you considered any alternatives?

The alternative is to disable video every time I join the call, which is not convenient or privacy respecting, prone to leaving the video on by accident.

Additional context

No response

[birbowirbo]

I would also like to add, I would like to be able to make Voice Only rooms -- so users cannot turn camera on.

Some similar features I think would be great: Setting for default joining behavior: Camera on / Camera off / Audio on / Audio off Setting for Guest Permissions: (ability to mute or unmute) Camera / ability to mute or unmute Audio Setting for Member Permissions: (ability to mute or unmute) Camera / Audio Setting for Admin Permissions: (ability to mute or unmute) Camera / Audio etc

[rezor92]

Hi @birbowirbo I think the

default joining behavior

is already implemented if you self host your element call you just have to add the following to your element call config.json:

...
    "media_devices": {
      "enable_audio": false,
      "enable_video": false
    },
...

[birbowirbo]

Thank you -- I am planning to try my hand self hosting element call this weekend. It would be nice if there were configurable on a room to room basis though.

[ArkadSt]

Considering that element-call is now bundled with element-web, it would be nice if this behavior could be configured without self-hosting element call.

[alexander-potemkin]

Hi @birbowirbo I think the

default joining behavior

is already implemented if you self host your element call you just have to add the following to your element call config.json:

... "media_devices": { "enable_audio": false, "enable_video": false }, ...

But there is no way to change those settings for mobile clients, as they bundle Element Call within and right now it seems like there is no way to influence those settings; nor to adjust Element Call URL, unless you force your users to got into the developer settings and paste the URL which - which is a task not for everyone...