Introduction
Jitsi Meet is a popular open-source video conferencing solution, widely used for secure and scalable meetings. However, when it comes to recording or live streaming these meetings, Jitsi relies on Jibri, an essential component that enables recording and broadcasting via platforms like YouTube Live.
In this blog, we’ll explore Jibri, its features, setup process, and how it compares with other video conferencing recording tools.
What is Jibri?
Jibri (Jitsi Broadcasting Infrastructure) is an open-source solution designed to work alongside Jitsi Meet to enable:
- Recording meetings for later playback.
- Live streaming meetings to platforms like YouTube, Twitch, and Facebook Live.
- Automated capture of video conferences without manual intervention.
Jibri achieves this by utilizing a headless Chrome browser and FFmpeg to capture video and audio streams from a Jitsi conference.
Key Features of Jibri
- 🎥 High-Quality Recording: Captures video and audio streams with minimal loss.
- 📡 Live Streaming Support: Broadcast directly to YouTube Live or other RTMP-compatible platforms.
- 🔧 Seamless Integration: Works natively with Jitsi Meet without external plugins.
- ⚙️ Customizable Storage: Save recordings to local or cloud storage.
- 🔁 Multi-Session Support: Run multiple Jibri instances for simultaneous recordings.
- 🛠️ Open-Source & Free: No licensing costs, complete control over customization.
How Jibri Works
Jibri operates as a separate server instance alongside Jitsi Meet. When a user initiates recording or streaming, Jibri joins the Jitsi Meet room as a hidden participant. It then captures the screen, encodes the video using FFmpeg, and either saves it to disk or streams it to the desired platform.
Technical Requirements:
- Ubuntu 20.04+
- Jitsi Meet instance running
- Headless Chrome & FFmpeg installed
- Xorg & Pulseaudio for handling virtual displays and audio
- Adequate CPU & RAM (e.g., at least 4 CPU cores & 8GB RAM for smooth operation)
Setting Up Jibri
Step 1: Install Dependencies
sudo apt update && sudo apt install -y ffmpeg xserver-xorg-core x11-xserver-utils
Step 2: Install and Configure Jibri
git clone https://github.com/jitsi/jibri.git
cd jibri
./install.sh
Step 3: Configure Jibri for Jitsi Meet
Modify the /etc/jitsi/jibri/config.json file to match your Jitsi Meet server’s details.
Step 4: Start Jibri Service
sudo systemctl start jibri
sudo systemctl enable jibri
Once configured, users can start recording directly from the Jitsi Meet interface.
Jibri vs Other Recording & Streaming Tools
| Feature | Jibri | OBS Studio | Zoom Cloud Recording | BigBlueButton |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Integration | Native with Jitsi Meet | Standalone | Built-in with Zoom | Built-in |
| Recording | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Live Streaming | Yes (YouTube, RTMP) | Yes (Custom RTMP) | Yes (Limited platforms) | Yes |
| Custom Storage | Yes (Local/Cloud) | Yes | No (Zoom Cloud Only) | No |
| Open Source | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Self-Hosting | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
Why Choose Jibri?
- Ideal for Jitsi Meet users who need native integration.
- Fully open-source, allowing customization.
- No licensing fees, unlike Zoom or Microsoft Teams.
- Offers local storage options, unlike Zoom’s cloud-based storage.
Conclusion
If you’re using Jitsi Meet and need a free, open-source, and self-hosted solution for recording and live streaming, Jibri is the best choice. It ensures seamless recording and streaming without external dependencies or paid services.
Would you like Jibri fully managed and deployed for you? OctaByte provides expert setup, hosting, and management of Jibri and Jitsi Meet, ensuring a hassle-free experience. Get started with OctaByte today!
FAQs
1. Can I use Jibri without Jitsi Meet?
No, Jibri is specifically designed to work with Jitsi Meet.
2. Does Jibri support multiple simultaneous recordings?
Yes, but each recording requires a separate Jibri instance.
3. Where are Jibri recordings stored?
By default, recordings are stored locally on the server but can be configured for cloud storage.
4. Can Jibri stream to multiple platforms simultaneously?
Not natively, but you can use Restream.io or an RTMP server to achieve this.
5. Is Jibri resource-intensive?
Yes, running Jibri requires a powerful server, especially for multiple recordings.
Ready to streamline your Jitsi Meet recordings? Let OctaByte handle the technicalities while you focus on your meetings! 🚀
