# Video Conferencing

Chamilo integrates with video conferencing platforms to enable live sessions within courses.

## Supported Platforms

### BigBlueButton

**BigBlueButton** (BBB) is an open-source web conferencing system designed for online learning. It is the most commonly used video conferencing solution with Chamilo.

#### Configuration

1. Install BigBlueButton on a separate server (see [BigBlueButton documentation](https://docs.bigbluebutton.org/))
2. Use bbb-conf --salt on the BBB server to get the integration details
3. In Chamilo platform settings, **Plugins**, install the Videoconference plugin and enter its config to set:
   * **BBB server URL** — The address of your BBB server
   * **BBB salt/secret** — The API secret from your BBB server
4. Save
5. **Enable** the Videoconference plugin
6. Some special features are available to admins, so make sure you enable it in the *admin\_page* region

#### Features Available in Chamilo

* Start/join meetings from within a course
* Automatic room creation per course
* Meeting recordings (if enabled)
* Screen sharing, whiteboard, breakout rooms
* Chat alongside video

### Zoom

Chamilo can also integrate with **Zoom** for video conferencing.

#### Configuration

1. Create a Zoom app in the Zoom Marketplace
2. In Chamilo, configure the Zoom API credentials
3. Enable the Zoom integration

#### How It Works

When Zoom is configured, teachers can create and launch Zoom meetings from within their course. Learners join through the Chamilo interface.

## Choosing Between BBB and Zoom

| Feature           | BigBlueButton                                    | Zoom                         |
| ----------------- | ------------------------------------------------ | ---------------------------- |
| Cost              | Free (open-source), but requires your own server | Requires a Zoom subscription |
| Hosting           | Self-hosted                                      | Cloud-hosted by Zoom         |
| Integration depth | Deep (built for LMS use)                         | Standard                     |
| Recording         | Server-side, stored on your infrastructure       | Zoom cloud or local          |
| Whiteboard        | Built-in                                         | Built-in                     |
| Breakout rooms    | Yes                                              | Yes                          |

## Tips

* **Separate server for BBB** — BigBlueButton should run on its own dedicated server for best performance, not on the same server as Chamilo
* **Test before classes** — Always test the video conferencing setup before a live session
* **Check bandwidth** — Ensure your server and network can handle the expected number of concurrent users


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