JamKazam recently released a Beta version of a new browser-based video system. Here's an overview of how to use it.

Why a new system?

The standard video system places significant loads on system resources.  JamKazam creates, encodes, and decodes a video stream for each player in the session. This is different from systems like Zoom, which encode and decode one stream for each participant in the Zoom session, then mixes the streams together in the Cloud to send back to each participant.

The new system opens a browser window, and creates a single video stream to and from each player.


Starting the Beta Video System

When you start a new session you can choose either the Standard video system or the new Beta system. The host is the one who makes this choice. All players in the session open the chosen system when they click the Video button in the Session window.

Important: This is a Beta feature, and presents some limitations and behavior you might not expect.

  • Video recording features don't currently work with the new system
  • When you leave a session, cameras and screen shares continue until you close the browser tab.



To choose the new Beta video system:

  1. Click the Create Session tile to create the session.
  2. Choose the BETA video system from the Video System dropdown menu.
  3. Start a session as you normally would.
  4. Once in the session, anyone who joins opens the new system when they click the Video button.


To use the new Beta video system:

  1. While in a session (in which the host has chosen the new Beta video system), click the Video button. Your browser opens a new tab containing a Join Room button:
  2. Click the Join Room button.
  3. You may have to authorize access to your camera. Depending on your browser, you can usually access the settings by clicking the camera in the upper right corner of the browser:Click Allow to use your camera.
  4. You may be asked to authorize access to your microphone. Since you are using JamKazam audio, you don't need to do this, and we don't recommend it.
  5. At this point you should be able to see yourself, and if others are in the session and have authorized their cameras, you should be able to see them as well.


Using the Video Screen Controls


  • Stop Video - click this button to stop or start the video.
  • My Cameras - if you have multiple cameras, click this button to choose and configure them. Choose a camera by selecting the resolution for that camera. The choices are the same as in the "Three Dots Menu", described below.
  • Layout - hover on this button to choose a layout.
    - Brady Bunch - tiles the users on the page.
    - Side by Side - places the users side by side, scaling the streams as needed.
    - Left Featured - displays one video user on the left, tiling the remaining to the right.
    - Only You - shows only you.
    - Rotate Users Left/Right - Rotate the users' locations as desired.
    - Shuffle Users - rearranges the users in random order.
  • Labels - choose the way labels are displayed for users: None, First Name, First & Last Name, Name & Location
  • Screen share - click to share your screen. You will need to choose a window or the Desktop
  • Start Chat Audio - 



Using the "Three Dots" Menu

Click the "Three Dots" menu in the upper right corner. The menu opens as shown below.


  • Resolution - Choose a send resolution from the available resolutions.
  • Flip Horizontal - reverses the video from left to right as if you were looking at it in a mirror.
  • Flip Vertical - reverses the video from top to bottom. This can be useful if you are using an overhead camera.