Browser call controls and device settings
Choose call devices, mute audio or video, place a call on hold and use permitted camera backgrounds.
What it is
Browser call controls let you mute your microphone, turn your camera off and choose available devices. Operators can put the call on hold and resume it. Background and layout options depend on the website setup, browser and provider.
Who uses it and why
- Operators choose devices, manage their camera and microphone, and hold or resume calls.
- Visitors control their own microphone, camera and available devices.
- Administrators ask Powerfront to set the website's camera, background and browsing rules.
Where to find it
Use the microphone, camera and hold icons in the browser call window. Open the call's Settings for Select Camera, Select Microphone, Select Speaker and Mirror my video.
Powerfront manages website defaults at Settings › General Settings › Video Chat, under Visitor and Operator.
How it works
Use the microphone or camera control to change what the other participant can hear or see. INSIDE communicates these states to the other participant. Turning off a camera does not itself end the call.
To change a device, open the call's Settings, choose an available device and select Save. Cancel closes the changes. Device lists depend on what the browser can access.
An operator can place the call on hold and resume it later. The call displays Call on hold... while held. Recorded hold duration counts time within an established call, excluding time before connection and after the call ends.
Where permitted and supported, you can preview your camera and use background blur or a replacement image. A placeholder shown while the camera is off is separate from a replacement background applied to live video.
Configure it
Ask Powerfront to set camera behaviour separately for Visitor and Operator. Voice Only prevents camera video for the selected participant; Camera is off at start of Chat starts with the camera disabled without making it permanently unavailable.
Powerfront can set Allow Changing Background Image, Default Background Image (Video) and Operator Placeholder Image. The recommended operator replacement image is landscape, at least 1280 by 720 pixels; the placeholder recommendation is at least 340 by 460 pixels.
Powerfront can also change portrait cropping, video size and browsing restrictions. You can choose your available call devices directly in the call window.
Settings
| Setting | Where | Applies to | Default | Who can change it | What it does |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Voice Only | Settings › General Settings › Video Chat › Visitor | website | Off | Powerfront | Restricts visitors to audio without camera video. |
| Voice Only | Settings › General Settings › Video Chat › Operator | website | Off | Powerfront | Restricts operators to audio without camera video. |
| Camera is off at start of Chat | Settings › General Settings › Video Chat › Visitor | website | Off | Powerfront | Starts visitors with their camera off. |
| Camera is off at start of Chat | Settings › General Settings › Video Chat › Operator | website | Off | Powerfront | Starts operators with their camera off. |
| Start with Back Camera | Settings › General Settings › Video Chat › Operator | website | Off | Powerfront | Starts the operator with a rear-facing camera where the device supports it. |
| Allow Changing Background Image | Settings › General Settings › Video Chat › Visitor | website | Off | Powerfront | Allows visitors to change their video background. When off, no visitor background replacement is applied. |
| Allow Changing Background Image | Settings › General Settings › Video Chat › Operator | website | Off | Powerfront | Allows operators to change their video background. When off, the configured default background is used. |
| Default Background Image (Video) | Settings › General Settings › Video Chat › Operator | website | Not set | Powerfront | Supplies the operator's replacement background when a custom one is not selected. No replacement image is configured until one is chosen. |
| Operator Placeholder Image | Settings › General Settings › Video Chat › Operator | website | Not set | Powerfront | Shows an image to the visitor when the operator's camera is off. No custom placeholder is configured until an image is chosen. |
| Crop Desktop Camera to Portrait | Settings › General Settings › Video Chat › Visitor | website | Not set | Powerfront | Crops the operator's video as presented to the visitor. When unset, the call window uses portrait cropping, but the surrounding visitor layout can differ. The editor initially selects On. |
| Crop Desktop Camera to Portrait | Settings › General Settings › Video Chat › Operator | website | On | Powerfront | Crops the visitor's desktop video as presented in the operator's call window. |
| Maximize Video | Settings › General Settings › Video Chat › Visitor | website | Off | Powerfront | Enlarges the visitor's video presentation when the applicable layout permits it. |
| Disable Website Browsing | Settings › General Settings › Video Chat › Visitor | website | Off | Powerfront | Restricts website browsing during the browser call. |
| Disable Links in Chat | Settings › General Settings › Video Chat › Visitor | website | Off | Powerfront | Disables chat links during the call. |
Permissions
| Permission | Lets you |
|---|---|
| Video Chat | Use the operator's permitted browser call types and their controls. |
Limits and good to know
- A browser permission refusal can prevent a camera or microphone from appearing or working.
- Voice Only takes precedence over attempts to enable that participant's camera.
- Rear-camera switching requires a device with a suitable camera.
- Background processing and speaker selection are not available in every browser or provider combination.
- Allowing background changes is configured independently for visitors and operators.
Depends on and works with
View all connections as a list
This feature uses
- Roles and permissionsConfigured by
Operator roles control access to browser calling.
- Browser video and audio callsRequires
Media controls operate within an enabled browser call.
- Browser call connection and qualityRelated
Use browser call connection guidance to investigate device permission and media problems.
Used by
- Browser video and audio callsConfigured by
Browser call settings control camera defaults, voice-only restrictions and background options.
- Browser call connection and qualityConfigured by
Call device settings select the camera, microphone and supported speaker used for the media connection.
FAQ and troubleshooting
Why can I not turn my camera on?
Check browser camera permission and ask Powerfront to check whether the website has set your participant type to Voice Only.
Why does the visitor see an image instead of my camera?
Your camera may be off. A configured Operator Placeholder Image is shown in that state.
Why is there no background selector?
Background changes must be allowed for your participant type and supported by your browser and call provider. Ask Powerfront to check the website policy.
How do I use a different microphone?
Open the call's Settings, choose Select Microphone, then select Save.
Does turning my camera off end the call?
No. Camera mute and ending the call are separate controls.