HDX webcam video compression

Overview

Users of video conferencing applications running in Linux VDA sessions can now use their webcams with HDX webcam video compression. This feature is enabled by default. We recommend you always use HDX webcam video compression if possible.

HDX webcam video compression is also called Optimized webcam mode. This type of webcam video compression sends the H.264 video directly to the video conferencing application running in the virtual session. HDX webcam video compression uses the multimedia framework technology that is part of the client operating system to intercept video from capture devices, transcode, and compress it. Manufacturers of capture devices supply the drivers that plug into the OS kernel streaming architecture.

The client handles communication with the webcam. The client then sends the video only to the server that can display it properly. The server doesn’t deal directly with the webcam, but its integration gives you the same experience in your desktop. Workspace app compresses the video to save bandwidth and provide better resiliency on WAN scenarios.

Note:

• This feature supports only H.264 videos from your Citrix Workspace app client.
• The supported webcam resolution ranges between 48x32 and 1920x1080.
• Do not choose Generic USB devices from your Citrix Workspace app toolbar when you are using a webcam. Otherwise, unexpected issues might occur.
  

Supported Linux distributions

• RHEL 8.4/CentOS 8 (2105)
• RHEL 8.3/CentOS 8.3
• RHEL 7.9/CentOS 7.9
• Ubuntu 20.04
• Ubuntu 18.04
• Ubuntu 16.04
• Debian 10
• SUSE 15.3
• SUSE 15.2
• SUSE 12.5

Supported Citrix Workspace app

HDX webcam video compression supports the following versions of Citrix Workspace app:

Fully tested webcams

Different webcams offer different frame rates and have different levels of brightness and contrast. Citrix uses the following webcams for initial feature validation:

• Logitech HD Webcam C270
• Logitech Webcam C930e
• Microsoft-LifeCam-HD3000

Configuration

This feature is enabled by default. To use it, complete the following verification and configuration:

Tip:

Citrix Workspace app users can override the default setting by choosing the Desktop Viewer Microphones and webcams setting, Do not connect.

1. After your VDA installation completes, verify that your VDA can register with the Delivery Controller and the published Linux desktop sessions can be launched successfully using Windows credentials.

2. Ensure that your VDA has Internet access and then run the sudo /opt/Citrix/VDA/sbin/ctxwcamcfg.sh command to complete your webcam configurations. If your VDA does not have Internet access, go to step 3.

   If your VDA is deployed on Debian 10, ensure that it is running on the latest kernel version. Otherwise, run the following commands to update to the latest kernel version:

   sudo apt-get update
   sudo apt-get dist-upgrade
   sudo reboot
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