All You Need to Know About Third-party Video Call API integration

A cutting-edge visual communications tool, Video call API is quietly redefining how developers can build a video chat app. These tools also help in dynamically changing existing applications into futuristic AI-driven video apps for higher customer engagement and optimized revenue flow. 

With third-party Application Programming Interfaces or API, integration costs and time needed for the development of live video chat app features are brought down substantially. They also support long-term maintenance and management of all behind-the-scenes technicalities like content processing and distribution.

Defining an API

An application programming interface has a sub-routine or function module with all the code written for executing tasks within a system or service. Unlike graphic user interface (UI), the default interfacing capability of these function modules is programmatic and allows it to interact or ‘talk’ to other applications or software. Hence APIs retain control and offer great flexibility when building applications, making it very easy to call external services or customize as per requirements.  

Defining a Video API 

The principle of a video API is to allow the creation, control workflow, delivering, and storing of video content. For developers, the importance of Video call API is the control and flexibility they have in choosing tools and external services over UI-defined, vendor-specific configurations. Video chat API gives them the capability to handle behind-the-scene processes, like getting the video into the system, processing it and choosing security options, delivering it to end users, managing the recorded assets, and analysis of video content performance on live-streaming or on-demand videos.

The working of Video APIs

There are several challenges in live streaming videos or Video on demand. The data has to be pre-processed, that is, encoded, packaged, and transcoded, such that the video is in a format that the end user can consume on any type of device.  

However, all of these complexities can be handled and managed by a single solution – video APIs – without being involved in any of these processes.  Hence developers do not have to worry about programming the multiple processes for live video streaming and instead only about how to build their application. 

Video APIs: Two Types

There are two types of Video APIs. They are categorized on the basis of the task they perform and the architecture on which they are built. These two types of Video APIs are as follows:

Task-based API

Typically, video call APIs are available on the basis of the function or task they perform like content management, live streaming, and analytics. It is therefore very easy for developers to incorporate the categories they want and navigate documentation. 

API examples in this category are:   

• Configuring streams and transcoders
• Managing the API
• Analyzing data

Architecture-defined APIs 

In this type of API, architecture style or language is used as the metric for differentiation.  RESTful API or Representational State Transfer architecture is resource-driven, interoperability between computer systems. On the other hand, a simpler form is REST that where the server is directed to only act on requests currently being made and there is no need to maintain a ‘session’ or knowledge of earlier requests, mostly over HTTP using requests like creating (PUT, POST) or delete (DELETE). 

Must-have features in a Video API 

The ideal approach when choosing a video call API is to consider the task that the API has to accomplish. Validate the documentation provided for the API, and update and consider examples written in other languages. The top features an API should include are as follows: 

Full-fledged functionality –  it should support all aspects of the video streaming process – from VOD to live streaming, playback and others.  It is recommended to use an integrated video platform for most cases.

Documentation and other sources are available –  ideally, it should include all documents or video tutorials, so you are clear about what can be done and what cannot be done.  

Developer tools are available – Ensure that sample code or GitHub repositories, apart from custom modules, along with testing tools are easily available   

Third-Party Video Call APIs:  What are the Benefits of Integration?

Third-party video API integration into your app will optimize the interaction between clients and the workforce on the go, even as video calling features enable the highest communicative clarity. The direct and indirect advantages and benefits of voice and video API are:

Optimized Function features and Access 

Video calling features ensure instant face-to-face connections from any part of the world.  It gives additional scope to reach a bigger audience and constantly engage with clients, or deliver presentations in real-time. You could even introduce gamified services to reach retail consumers host contests or holding Q&As.

Minimizing Costs

Virtual communications have lowered costs since there is no overhead such as travel, accommodation, and related expenses. Video chat API integration allows you to be there at every meeting, conference, or seminar without having to be stressed by travel and add-on costs.

Time is saved

When you incorporate API in your 1-on-1 video chat app you are assured of real-time interaction with every client and employee who needs you. The edge that these functionalities bring is the almost in-person interaction possible but in a virtualized environment. Therefore, you do not have to travel out to all of the meeting places but attend all of them from the convenience of your office or home.  

More Nuanced Meetings

API integration ensures that meetings become multi-sensory interactions. The high-quality videos and audio clarity allow you to not only converse with the members but also observe body language and related nuances. Simultaneously text chatting, and voice calling all add to a rich and almost in-person conversational experience.  

Recording Tools and advanced AI

By default, a video Calling API will have a recording feature for the host to evaluate or other members to observe at a later date. The platforms can also include advanced features such as speaker tags which are AI-driven, include the date and time stamps, or trend topics.  

Accessing made easy  

Video calling API will improve access to all stakeholders as the UI is typically intuitive. It will interact in an open space, from any browser or device. But ensure high compliance standards with industry-specific requirements like HIPAA-needed privacy compliance. 

Nurture an audience and build a community  

The quality of video and voice interaction which supports voice and video API. User engagement enhanced and interactions between members. It nurtured for a community-level audience for your services or products.

Return On Investment

Video calling API brings in-built maintenance, cloud storage, and virtualized access, storage, and distribution processes. That ensure you are always free to create quality content. The investment substantial direct and indirect return investment, allowing a newer range of services delivered. 

Conclusion 

Using third-party programmable voice and video will give developers the edge to create applications that deliver the experience clients desire.  You do not have to reinvent the wheel. Instead leverage the pre-built API to expand the business, develop and engage a wider audience and save on investment costs.