Real-Time Audio-Video allows Horizon users to run Skype, Webex, Google Hangouts, Microsoft Teams, and other online conferencing applications in their remote sessions. With Real-Time Audio-Video, webcam and audio devices that are connected locally to the client system are redirected to the remote sessions. This feature redirects video and audio data with a significantly lower bandwidth than can be achieved by using USB redirection.

Real-Time Audio-Video is compatible with standard conferencing applications and browser-based video applications, and supports standard webcams, audio USB devices, and analog audio input.

During the setup of an application such as Skype, Webex, Google Hangouts, or Microsoft Teams, users can choose input and output devices from menus in the application.

  • For virtual desktops, Real-Time Audio-Video supports the following redirection capabilities:
    • For Windows clients, Real-Time Audio-Video can redirect more than one audio and video device. The names of redirected devices in the virtual desktop are the actual device names, but with (VDI) appended, for example, C670i FHD Webcam (VDI).
    • For Linux clients, Real-Time Audio-Video can redirect only one audio device and only one video device. The names of redirected devices in the virtual desktop are the actual device names, but with (VDI) appended, for example, C670i FHD Webcam (VDI).
    • For all other clients that support Real-Time Audio-Video, the feature can redirect only one audio device and only one video device. The device names appear as VMware Virtual Microphone and VMware Virtual Webcam in remote sessions.
  • For published desktops and published applications, Real-Time Audio-Video can redirect only one audio device and only one video device. The device names appear as Remote Audio Device and VMware Virtual Webcam in remote sessions.

The VMware Virtual Webcam uses a kernel-mode webcam driver that provides enhanced compatibility with browser-based video applications and other third-party conferencing software.

When a conferencing or video application is launched, it displays and uses these VMware virtual devices, which handle the audio-video redirection from the locally-connected devices on the client.

The drivers for the audio and webcam devices must be installed on the Horizon Client systems to enable the redirection.