Services / System Requirements

IMS RealTime is barrier-free, no additional software or app is required. RealTime runs entirely in the browser – even on mobile devices.

Max. number of participants and shared webcam / video signals:

Booking a RealTime Service includes:

• Max. 100 participants:
  The maximum number of participants is limited to a maximum of 100 participants, spread over up to 12 rooms (including breakout rooms).
• Max. 150 webcam / video signals:
  The maximum number of shared webcam / video signals is limited to 400 video streams, distributed over up to 12 rooms (including breakout rooms).
  The value can vary depending on the selected video quality / bandwidth and other activities such as additional sharing of the screen content or an external video. In order to enable all participants to participate without any problems, we therefore strongly recommend not to exceed this value.
  A video stream refers to the retrieval of a webcam signal from a participant.
  > For example, are possible:
  – 100 participants, including four participants with shared webcam signal (4 x 100 = 400 video streams).
  – up to 20 participants, all with shared webcam signal (20 x 20 = 400 video streams).
• No limitation of microphone / audio signals:
  We do not limit the maximum number of participants who can transmit their microphone / audio signal within a video conference. However, as part of an orderly video conference, we recommend muting all non-active participants and keeping the number of active participants to a minimum.
• Max. video quality (optional) 2Mbits/s

If you need more rooms or participants for your video conference, you can also book several RealTime Services – we will be happy to advise you.

Use an updated Browser:

RealTime can be used in all common browsers (e.g. Chrome, Edge, Firefox or Opera) – please update your browser before the meeting if necessary.

Firewall:

The firewall should be open for the RealTime server and for the TURN server.
Ports that must be open in your firewall:
OUTGOING, TCP port 80 (http) and TCP port 443 (https)
OUTGOING, UDP ports 16384 to 32768 (audio and video communications)

VPN (Virtual Private Network):

VPN connections and company-specific network settings can block the transmission. In case of difficulties, disconnect the VPN connection and / or choose a free network. If the internet connection is restricted, we recommend that you refrain from transmitting your video signal or sharing the screen.

Check browser settings:

Special settings can cause function and connection problems.
It is best to always use a current browser on PCs and notebooks with the Windows, Linux or MacOS operating system (we recommend Chrome due to optimized functionality or alternatively Firefox) – update your browser before the meeting if necessary.

With the Safari browser under the iOS operating system, limited functionality is generally likely. This browser is rather unsuitable for presenters and moderators and is not recommended.

Tips and limitations for mobile devices:

For Android devices from version 6.0 we recommend the Chrome browser. For iOS devices from version 12.2 the Safari browser.
Sharing your own screen is not possible with smartphones or tablets; this function is only available with a PC or notebook.

Browser Permissions / Restrictions:

Under > Settings > Permissions, access or connection establishment of a video conference can be restricted. Please check your settings or switch to another browser if you experience connection problems.

The camera and microphone sharing:

If you have trouble unlocking the microphone or camera, you have two options.
Edit the settings either directly in RealTime using the respective symbol in the address bar of the browser

or click on the security symbol and open the general browser settings,

edit the release options in the data protection area (to be found via the search function) and delete the entry if IMS RealTime is blocked.

The sharing of screen contents:

If there are difficulties sharing the screen, edit the settings directly in real time using the symbol in the address bar of the browser and remove the blockage.

Then reload the page using the > F5 key to be able to share your screen.

Share your screen using the icon below the start screen and choose whether you want to share your entire screen (so that participants can see when you switch between windows or tabs) or just a specific browser window.

If connection problems or other restrictions cannot be resolved as described above, we recommend contacting your IT department.

What else is needed:

• A loudspeaker on the device or headphones
• A microphone on the device or a headset. Before entering the room, please carry out the echo test – this appears automatically when you log in. Headsets increase the audio quality
• A webcam
• A stable and fast Internet connection via a LAN cable or, when using WLAN, a short distance to the router. The internet connection should have at least a 1 Mbit downstream and 0.5 Mbit upstream speed. You can test your bandwidth with speedtest.net

If you do not have a microphone or webcam installed on your PC, you can take part in the conference using your smartphone or tablet to hear the other participants and speak using the built-in microphones. You can also log into the same conference on your PC in order to see participants and content better.

Additional information:

> Presentations:
Only PDF or PPT files can be displayed within a web meeting. Other formats are automatically converted into a PDF by the system when uploading. In order to achieve optimal quality in the display, we recommend loading the files in a sufficient size (1280px x 720px) and always in 16:9 format.

Tipps:

To ensure that everything runs smoothly, we recommend that all moderators and presenters test the functionalities and processes before the meeting begins.

> Welcome / Intro Slide:
In order to inform your participants about the functions before the start of the meeting, you can here download a .tif file, modify it and use it as a welcome slide.

• No audio – you can activate your audio signal with the button in the lower middle left. If this is not possible, you or all participants are muted. In this case the moderator has to give you this right!

(!) Internet Explorer is not supported by the RealTime software! Alternatively, use “Edge”.
(!!) The display or decoding of the “split” audio / video signals is carried out on the client side by the browser of the respective participant. The number of possible simultaneous connections therefore depends on the performance of the subscriber’s device and the available bandwidth (Internet connection). If the browser or the participant’s system is overwhelmed with the number of participants or the computing power required for this, disruptions occur which, based on experience, first affect the audio connection.
(!!!) Do you use a VPN connection but have connection problems? It is then advisable to terminate the VPN connection and use a “free” Internet connection and / or a free network. If the internet connection is restricted, the transmission quality (use of a lower bandwidth) can also be reduced manually in the player (car).
(!!!!) If you have an ad blocker installed in your browser, switch it off temporarily, as this can also cause connection problems or delays.
(!!!!!) If the available bandwidth is not sufficient for individual participants to take part in the video conference, they can switch off the transmitted webcam signals (via the > three-point menu and > settings at the top right) in order to reduce data transmission.