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This article contains information about using webcams with Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops (formerly XenApp and XenDesktop) and explains the HDX RealTime Webcam Video Compression and HDX Generic USB Redirection features.
In addition to the two approaches discussed in this article, it should be noted that 'optimized' solutions are available for certain leading Unified Communications applications. These optimized solutions shift the media processing workload to the user device, thereby maximizing server scalability. Optimized solutions exist for Microsoft Skype for Business, Microsoft Teams, Cisco Jabber for VDI and Cisco Webex Meetings, Avaya one-X Communicator, Zoom and Genesys. See CTX133024 for more details on these plug-ins. List of topics 1. Background 2. HDX Realtime Webcam Video Compression 3. HDX Generic USB Redirection 4. Default Behavior 5. Webcam compatibility 6. Known Issues 7. Advanced Configuration 8. Troubleshooting
1. Background
Webcams can be used by applications running within the Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops session either by HDX RealTime Webcam Video Compression or by using HDX Generic USB Redirection technology. Users can choose between the two based on their specific requirements. HDX RealTime Webcam Video Compression is generally recommended since it offers superior bandwidth efficiency.
Only the following Citrix Receiver / Workspace app OS and versions support optimized Webcam Video Compression:
2. HDX RealTime Webcam Video Compression
With HDX RealTime Webcam Video Compression, the video data is captured on the user device; it is then compressed and sent to the XenApp/XenDesktop session. Installation of the device drivers for the webcam is not required on the Virtual Delivery Agent (VDA). Device drivers are only required on the client device. Beginner cad software for mac download. It is recommended that the latest drivers are obtained directly from the webcam manufacturer’s website. HDX RealTime Webcam Video Compression allows less bandwidth consumption and is especially suited to deployments where the VDA and client reside across slow networks. HDX RealTime Webcam Video Compression uses upstream bandwidth in the rage of 300-600 kbps (for CIF resolutions).
Sometimes, default drivers are installed when the device is first plugged in, but these drivers might be old and not offer the video color space that the client’s codec is looking for, which might lead to higher CPU consumption on the user device as a result of color space conversion. Note: 64-bit Application support for HDX RealTime Webcam Video Compression requires XenApp / XenDesktop 7.17 or later, and also Receiver for Windows 4.11 or later Further information regarding configuration of HDX RealTime Webcam Video Compression is available on the Citrix documentation site - see HDX video conferencing and webcam video compression. 3. HDX Generic USB Redirection
With HDX Generic USB Redirection technology, the webcam is virtually detached from the client device and attached to the XenApp/XenDesktop session. This provides all the native functionalities of the webcam in the XenApp/XenDesktop session. HDX Generic USB Redirection requires the device drivers for the webcam to be available on both the client device as well as on the VDA.
Bandwidth usage for webcams using HDX Generic USB Redirection technology can vary based on the vendor and model of the device, but it is significantly higher compared to use it over HDX RealTime Webcam Video Compression. HDX Generic USB for webcams is recommended to be used only under LAN conditions where bandwidth and latency are not constraints. Refer the following link regarding more information on HDX Generic USB Redirection configuration: Configure USB Support. 4. Default Behavior
By default, webcams use HDX RealTime Webcam Video Compression technology. However, end users can override the default behavior and explicitly choose to use HDX Generic USB Redirection from the Desktop Viewer preferences tab of Citrix Workspace app, if the administrator has enabled remoting of USB devices through policies.
Important note on Integrated Webcams (e.g. Surface devices) : Integrated webcams are generally not detected as USB devices in Device Manager on the Client, but rather under System devices. If you go to Device Manager on the Client, then View->Sort by Connection, see if your cameras show up under a USB Hub device. If they do, then they should appear on Desktop Viewer. 4.1 Whether to use Webcam Video Compression or Generic USB Redirection
HDX RealTime Webcam Video Compression is the default and preferred way of using webcams with XenApp/XenDesktop, except when an “optimized” solution is available such as the HDX RealTime Optimization Pack for Microsoft Skype for Business and Lync. HDX RealTime Webcam Video Compression uses significantly less bandwidth compared to HDX Generic USB Redirection and works well over WAN connections.
HDX Generic USB is recommended only when there are application compatibility issues with HDX RealTime Webcam Video Compression or when advanced native functionalities of the webcam such as auto-focus are required. For better performance, Citrix recommends a XenDesktop VDA to have at least two virtual CPUs. 4.2 Configuring HDX RealTime Webcam Video Compression
HDX RealTime Webcam Video Compression feature is available on XenDesktop 5.0 and later versions with Online Plug-in for Windows version 12.0 and later version or Receiver for Linux 12.0 and later version. It is also supported on Mac and Chrome Receivers.
With Workspace app for Linux, it has to be explicitly enabled. Refer the following link regarding information on how to configure this - Citrix Documentation - Optimize. HDX RealTime Webcam Video Compression is enabled by default on the VDA and on the Windows client and no additional configurations are required. Policies
HDX webcam video compression requires that the following machine policy settings are enabled (all are enabled by default).
4.3 Dependency on Windows Media Redirection
HDX RealTime Webcam Video Compression uses the same underlying technology as Windows Media Redirection. Enable Windows Media Redirection in Studio for HDX RealTime Webcam Video Compression to be functional. If Windows Media Redirection is disabled, HDX RealTime Webcam Video Compression will not work.
4.4 Application Compatibility HDX RealTime Webcam Video Compression is compatible with most unified communications clients. The feature has been tested for compatibility with the following applications:
Note: 64-bit Application support requires XenApp / XenDesktop 7.17 or later, and also Receiver for Windows 4.11 or later, and Receiver for Chrome. The 7.17 VDAs and 4.11 Receiver for Windows (or higher versions of both) now include both 64-bit and 32-bit H.264 compression encoder/decoders. This means customers using 64-bit video conferencing hosted applications, such as Skype for Business x64, Google Chrome browser, and Google Hangouts, are now supported. Note that these 64-bit video conferencing apps must support H.264 for this feature to work. Some ARM Chromebooks don't support H.264 encoding - in that case, only 32-bit apps in the VDA can use the optimized HDX RealTime Webcam Video Compression. 5. Webcam Compatibility
HDX RealTime Webcam Video Compression is not directly dependent on specific models of webcams. Any webcam that is DirectShow compatible (including integrated ones) can be used with HDX RealTime Webcam Video Compression. Most Windows Driver Model (WDM) compatible webcams can be used. However, webcam bandwidth consumption can vary from webcam to webcam. Different webcams offer different frame rates and have different levels of brightness and contrast. Citrix used the following webcams for initial feature validation:
Adjusting the contrast of the webcam can reduce upstream traffic significantly. This can be accomplished if the webcam ships with a system tray utility that runs on the user device.
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On the VDA | Or on the Client/Workspace App |
HKLMSoftwareCitrixHDXRealTime Name: Enable_HighDefWebcam Type: REG_DWORD Data: 0 = Disable the high definition webcam streaming |
HKCUSoftwareCitrixHDXRealTime Name: Disable_HighDefWebcam Type: REG_DWORD Data: 1 = Disable the high definition webcam streaming |
--DumpVcap output-- |
Major Type Sub Type Format Type FixedSamples Temporal Compression Sample Size Max Input Size Min Output Size Max Output Size Min-Max FPS |
Video YUY2 VideoInfo Fixed NotTemporal 1843200 1280x720 1280x720 1280x720 5.00-10.00 {none} Video YUY2 VideoInfo2 Fixed NotTemporal 1843200 1280x720 1280x720 1280x720 5.00-10.00 {none} Video MJPG VideoInfo Fixed NotTemporal 2764800 1280x720 1280x720 1280x720 5.00-30.00 {none} Video MJPG VideoInfo2 Fixed NotTemporal 2764800 1280x720 1280x720 1280x720 5.00-30.00 {none} |
On the VDA | Or on the Client |
HKLMSoftwareWow6432NodeCitrixHdxRealTime Or HKLMSoftwareCitrixHdxRealTime DWORD EnableDeepcompress_Server – set it to 0 to disable H.264 support. |
HKCUSoftwareCitrixHdxRealTime DWORD EnableDeepcompress_Client – set it to 0 to disable H.264 encoding. By default HDX always prefer H.264 decoding. Set it to 1 to go back to default behavior. |
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