How to Build Live Streaming Video Call App in Java?

The HTTP Live Streaming (HLS) feature has gained huge popularity in recent times. It offers unique opportunities for content creators, businesses, and developers to connect with their audience in real-time.

The VideoSDK is a powerful tool that allows you to include real-time live streaming capabilities into your video call applications. With HTTP live streaming, you can engage your users in dynamic and immersive experiences, such as live events, gaming broadcasts, virtual classrooms, and more.

By the end of this tutorial, you will have acquired valuable skills in integrating live video streaming into your Android app, that creates engaging and immersive experiences for your users. So, let's embark on this journey and unlock the potential of live video streaming in Android with VideoSDK!

Integrating HLS with VideoSDK on Android

Follow the steps to create the necessary environment to add HTTP live streaming in your Android live app. You can find the code sample for Quickstart here.

Prerequisites

First of all, your development environment should meet the following requirements:

Java Development Kit.
Android Studio 3.0 or later.
Android SDK API Level 21 or higher.
A mobile device that runs Android 5.0 or later.

You should use a VideoSDK account to generate tokens. Visit VideoSDK dashboard to generate a token.

Create a new Android Project

For a new project in Android Studio, create a Phone and Tablet Android project with an Empty activity.

Video SDK Android Quick Start New Project

CAUTION: After creating the project, Android Studio automatically starts gradle sync. Ensure that the sync succeeds before you continue.

Add the repositories to the project's settings.gradle file.

dependencyResolutionManagement{
  repositories {
    // ...
    google()
    mavenCentral()
    maven { url 'https://jitpack.io' }
    maven { url "https://maven.aliyun.com/repository/jcenter" }
  }
}

Add the following dependency to your app's app/build.gradle.

dependencies {
  implementation 'live.videosdk:rtc-android-sdk:0.1.26'

  // library to perform Network call to generate a meeting id
  implementation 'com.amitshekhar.android:android-networking:1.0.2'

  // Other dependencies specific to your app
}

ℹ️

Android SDK compatible with armeabi-v7a, arm64-v8a, x86_64 architectures. If you want to run the application in an emulator, choose ABI x86_64 when creating a device.

Add permissions to your project

In /app/Manifests/AndroidManifest.xml, add the following permissions after </application>.

<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.RECORD_AUDIO" />
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.MODIFY_AUDIO_SETTINGS"/>
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.INTERNET" />
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.CAMERA" />

⚠️

If your project has set android.useAndroidX = true, then set android.enableJetifier = true in the gradle.properties file to migrate your project to AndroidX and avoid duplicate class conflicts.

Structure of the project

Your project structure should look like this:

app
   ├── java
   │    ├── packagename
   │         ├── JoinActivity
   │         ├── MeetingActivity
   │         ├── SpeakerAdapter
   │         ├── SpeakerFragment
   |         ├── ViewerFragment
   ├── res
   │    ├── layout
   │    │    ├── activity_join.xml
   │    │    ├── activity_meeting.xml
   |    |    ├── fragment_speaker.xml
   |    |    ├── fragment_viewer.xml
   │    │    ├── item_remote_peer.xml

NOTE: You have to set JoinActivity as the Launcher activity.

App Architecture

Build an Android Live Video Streaming App

Step 1: Creating Joining Screen

Create a new Activity named JoinActivity.

(a) Creating UI

The joining screen includes:

Create Button: Creates a new meeting.
TextField for Meeting ID: Contains the meeting ID you want to join.
Join as Host Button: Joins the meeting as the host with the provided meetingId.
Join as Viewer Button: Joins the meeting as a viewer with the provided meetingId.

In the /app/res/layout/activity_join.xml file, replace the content with the following:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>

<LinearLayout xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
    android:id="@+id/createorjoinlayout"
    android:layout_width="match_parent"
    android:layout_height="match_parent"
    android:background="@color/black"
    android:gravity="center"
    android:orientation="vertical">

    <Button
        android:id="@+id/btnCreateMeeting"
        android:layout_width="wrap_content"
        android:layout_height="wrap_content"
        android:text="Create Meeting"
        android:textAllCaps="false" />

    <TextView
        android:id="@+id/tvText"
        android:layout_width="wrap_content"
        android:layout_height="wrap_content"
        android:paddingVertical="5sp"
        android:text="OR"
        android:textColor="@color/white"
        android:textSize="20sp" />

    <EditText
        android:id="@+id/etMeetingId"
        android:theme="@android:style/Theme.Holo"
        android:layout_width="250dp"
        android:layout_height="wrap_content"
        android:hint="Enter Meeting Id"
        android:textColor="@color/white"
        android:textColorHint="@color/white" />

    <Button
        android:id="@+id/btnJoinHostMeeting"
        android:layout_width="wrap_content"
        android:layout_height="wrap_content"
        android:layout_marginTop="8sp"
        android:text="Join as Host"
        android:textAllCaps="false" />

    <Button
        android:id="@+id/btnJoinViewerMeeting"
        android:layout_width="wrap_content"
        android:layout_height="wrap_content"
        android:text="Join as Viewer"
        android:textAllCaps="false" />

</LinearLayout>

(b) Integration of Create Meeting API

Create field sampleToken in JoinActivity that will hold the generated token from the VideoSDK dashboard. This token will be used in the VideoSDK config as well as in generating meetingId.

public class JoinActivity extends AppCompatActivity {

  //Replace with the token you generated from the VideoSDK Dashboard
  private String sampleToken ="";

  @Override
  protected void onCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState) {
    //...
  }
}

On the Join Button as Host onClick events, we will navigate to MeetingActivity with token, meetingIdand mode as CONFERENCE.

On the Join Button as Viewer onClick events, we will navigate to MeetingActivity with token, meetingIdand mode as Viewer.

public class JoinActivity extends AppCompatActivity {

  //Replace with the token you generated from the VideoSDK Dashboard
  private String sampleToken ="";

  @Override
  protected void onCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState) {
    super.onCreate(savedInstanceState);
    setContentView(R.layout.activity_join);

    final Button btnCreate = findViewById(R.id.btnCreateMeeting);
    final Button btnJoinHost = findViewById(R.id.btnJoinHostMeeting);
    final Button btnJoinViewer = findViewById(R.id.btnJoinViewerMeeting);
    final EditText etMeetingId = findViewById(R.id.etMeetingId);

    // create meeting and join as Host
    btnCreate.setOnClickListener(v -> createMeeting(sampleToken));

    // Join as Host
    btnJoinHost.setOnClickListener(v -> {
        Intent intent = new Intent(JoinActivity.this, MeetingActivity.class);
        intent.putExtra("token", sampleToken);
        intent.putExtra("meetingId", etMeetingId.getText().toString().trim());
        intent.putExtra("mode", "CONFERENCE");
        startActivity(intent);
    });

    // Join as Viewer
    btnJoinViewer.setOnClickListener(v -> {
        Intent intent = new Intent(JoinActivity.this, MeetingActivity.class);
        intent.putExtra("token", sampleToken);
        intent.putExtra("meetingId", etMeetingId.getText().toString().trim());
        intent.putExtra("mode", "VIEWER");
        startActivity(intent);
    });
  }

  private void createMeeting(String token) {
    // we will explore this method in the next step
  }
}

For Create Button under createMeeting method, we will generate meetingIdby calling API and navigating to MeetingActivity with the token, generated meetingIdand mode as CONFERENCE.

public class JoinActivity extends AppCompatActivity {
  //...onCreate

  private void createMeeting(String token) {
    // we will make an API call to VideoSDK Server to get a roomId
    AndroidNetworking.post("https://api.videosdk.live/v2/rooms")
          .addHeaders("Authorization", token) //we will pass the token in the Headers
          .build()
          .getAsJSONObject(new JSONObjectRequestListener() {
              @Override
              public void onResponse(JSONObject response) {
                try {
                  // response will contain `roomId`
                  final String meetingId = response.getString("roomId");

                  // starting the MeetingActivity with received roomId and our sampleToken
                  Intent intent = new Intent(JoinActivity.this, MeetingActivity.class);
                  intent.putExtra("token", sampleToken);
                  intent.putExtra("meetingId", meetingId);
                  intent.putExtra("mode", "CONFERENCE");
                  startActivity(intent);
                } catch (JSONException e) {
                    e.printStackTrace();
                }
              }

              @Override
              public void onError(ANError anError) {
                anError.printStackTrace();
                Toast.makeText(JoinActivity.this, anError.getMessage(), Toast.LENGTH_SHORT).show();
              }
          });
  }
}

⚠️

Don't get confused between Room and Meeting keywords, both are the same thing.

Our Android live app is completely based on audio and video communication, that's why we need to ask for runtime permissions RECORD_AUDIO and CAMERA. So, we will implement permission logic on JoinActivity.

public class JoinActivity extends AppCompatActivity {
  private static final int PERMISSION_REQ_ID = 22;

  private static final String[] REQUESTED_PERMISSIONS = {
    Manifest.permission.RECORD_AUDIO,
    Manifest.permission.CAMERA
  };

  private void checkSelfPermission(String permission, int requestCode) {
    if (ContextCompat.checkSelfPermission(this, permission) !=
            PackageManager.PERMISSION_GRANTED) {
      ActivityCompat.requestPermissions(this, REQUESTED_PERMISSIONS, requestCode);
    }
  }

  @Override
  protected void onCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState) {
    //... button listeneres
   checkSelfPermission(REQUESTED_PERMISSIONS[0], PERMISSION_REQ_ID);
   checkSelfPermission(REQUESTED_PERMISSIONS[1], PERMISSION_REQ_ID);
  }
}

Step 2: Creating Meeting Screen

Create a new Activity named MeetingActivity. In /app/res/layout/activity_meeting.xml file, replace the content with the following.

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<RelativeLayout xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
    xmlns:tools="http://schemas.android.com/tools"
    android:id="@+id/mainLayout"
    android:layout_width="match_parent"
    android:layout_height="match_parent"
    android:background="@color/black"
    tools:context=".MeetingActivity">

    <TextView
        android:layout_width="match_parent"
        android:layout_height="match_parent"
        android:gravity="center"
        android:text="Creating a meeting for you"
        android:textColor="@color/white"
        android:textFontWeight="700"
        android:textSize="20sp" />

</RelativeLayout>

(b) Initializing the Meeting

After getting the token, meetingIdand mode from JoinActivity,

Initialize VideoSDK.
Configure VideoSDK with the token.
Initialize the meeting with required params such as meetingId, participantName, micEnabled, webcamEnabled, mode and more.
Join the room with meeting.join() method.
Add MeetingEventListener for listening Meeting Join event.
Check mode of localParticipant, If the mode is CONFERENCE, We will replace mainLayout with SpeakerFragment otherwise, replace it with ViewerFragment.

public class MeetingActivity extends AppCompatActivity {
  private Meeting meeting;

  @Override
  protected void onCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState) {
    super.onCreate(savedInstanceState);
    setContentView(R.layout.activity_meeting);

    final String meetingId = getIntent().getStringExtra("meetingId");
    String token = getIntent().getStringExtra("token");
    String mode = getIntent().getStringExtra("mode");
    String localParticipantName = "John Doe";
    boolean streamEnable = mode.equals("CONFERENCE");

    // initialize VideoSDK
    VideoSDK.initialize(getApplicationContext());

    // Configuration VideoSDK with Token
    VideoSDK.config(token);

    // Initialize VideoSDK Meeting
    meeting = VideoSDK.initMeeting(
            MeetingActivity.this, meetingId, participantName,
            micEnabled, webcamEnabled,null, null, false, null, null);

    // join Meeting
    meeting.join();

    // if mode is CONFERENCE than replace mainLayout with SpeakerFragment otherwise with ViewerFragment
    meeting.addEventListener(new MeetingEventListener() {
        @Override
        public void onMeetingJoined() {
          if (meeting != null) {
            if (mode.equals("CONFERENCE")) {
              //pin the local partcipant
              meeting.getLocalParticipant().pin("SHARE_AND_CAM");
              getSupportFragmentManager()
                  .beginTransaction()
                  .replace(R.id.mainLayout, new SpeakerFragment(), "MainFragment")
                  .commit();
            } else if (mode.equals("VIEWER")) {
              getSupportFragmentManager()
                  .beginTransaction()
                  .replace(R.id.mainLayout, new ViewerFragment(), "viewerFragment")
                  .commit();
            }
          }
        }
      });
  }
  public Meeting getMeeting() {
      return meeting;
  }
}

Step 3: Implement `SpeakerView`

After successfully entering the meeting, render the speaker's view and manage controls such as toggling the webcam/mic, start/stop HLS, and leaving the meeting.

Create a new fragment named SpeakerFragment. In /app/res/layout/fragment_speaker.xml file, replace the content with the following.

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<LinearLayout xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
    xmlns:tools="http://schemas.android.com/tools"
    android:layout_width="match_parent"
    android:layout_height="match_parent"
    android:background="@color/black"
    android:gravity="center"
    android:orientation="vertical"
    tools:context=".SpeakerFragment">

    <LinearLayout
        android:layout_width="match_parent"
        android:layout_height="wrap_content"
        android:layout_marginVertical="8sp"
        android:paddingHorizontal="10sp">

        <TextView
            android:id="@+id/tvMeetingId"
            android:layout_width="0dp"
            android:layout_height="wrap_content"
            android:text="Meeting Id : "
            android:textColor="@color/white"
            android:textSize="18sp"
            android:layout_weight="3"/>

        <Button
            android:id="@+id/btnLeave"
            android:layout_width="0dp"
            android:layout_height="wrap_content"
            android:text="Leave"
            android:textAllCaps="false"
            android:layout_weight="1"/>

    </LinearLayout>

    <TextView
        android:id="@+id/tvHlsState"
        android:layout_width="wrap_content"
        android:layout_height="wrap_content"
        android:text="Current HLS State : NOT_STARTED"
        android:textColor="@color/white"
        android:textSize="18sp" />

    <androidx.recyclerview.widget.RecyclerView
        android:id="@+id/rvParticipants"
        android:layout_width="match_parent"
        android:layout_height="0dp"
        android:layout_marginVertical="10sp"
        android:layout_weight="1" />

    <LinearLayout
        android:layout_width="match_parent"
        android:layout_height="wrap_content"
        android:gravity="center">

        <Button
            android:id="@+id/btnHLS"
            android:layout_width="wrap_content"
            android:layout_height="wrap_content"
            android:text="Start HLS"
            android:textAllCaps="false" />

        <Button
            android:id="@+id/btnWebcam"
            android:layout_width="wrap_content"
            android:layout_height="wrap_content"
            android:layout_marginHorizontal="5sp"
            android:text="Toggle Webcam"
            android:textAllCaps="false" />

        <Button
            android:id="@+id/btnMic"
            android:layout_width="wrap_content"
            android:layout_height="wrap_content"
            android:text="Toggle Mic"
            android:textAllCaps="false" />

    </LinearLayout>

</LinearLayout>

Now, let's set the listener for buttons allowing the participant to toggle media.

public class SpeakerFragment extends Fragment {

  private static Activity mActivity;
  private static Context mContext;
  private static Meeting meeting;
  private boolean micEnabled = true;
  private boolean webcamEnabled = true;
  private boolean hlsEnabled = false;
  private Button btnMic, btnWebcam, btnHls, btnLeave;
  private TextView tvMeetingId, tvHlsState;

  public SpeakerFragment() {
    // Required empty public constructor
  }

  @Override
  public void onAttach(@NonNull Context context) {
    super.onAttach(context);
    mContext = context;
    if (context instanceof Activity) {
      mActivity = (Activity) context;
      // getting meeting object from Meeting Activity
      meeting = ((MeetingActivity) mActivity).getMeeting();
    }
  }

  @Override
  public View onCreateView(LayoutInflater inflater, ViewGroup container,
                            Bundle savedInstanceState) {
    // Inflate the layout for this fragment
    View view = inflater.inflate(R.layout.fragment_speaker, container, false);
    btnMic = view.findViewById(R.id.btnMic);
    btnWebcam = view.findViewById(R.id.btnWebcam);
    btnHls = view.findViewById(R.id.btnHLS);
    btnLeave = view.findViewById(R.id.btnLeave);

    tvMeetingId = view.findViewById(R.id.tvMeetingId);
    tvHlsState = view.findViewById(R.id.tvHlsState);

    if (meeting != null) {
        tvMeetingId.setText("Meeting Id : " + meeting.getMeetingId());
        setActionListeners();
    }
    return view;
  }

  private void setActionListeners() {
    btnMic.setOnClickListener(v -> {
        if (micEnabled) {
          meeting.muteMic();
          Toast.makeText(mContext,"Mic Muted",Toast.LENGTH_SHORT).show();
        } else {
          meeting.unmuteMic();
          Toast.makeText(mContext,"Mic Enabled",Toast.LENGTH_SHORT).show();
        }
        micEnabled=!micEnabled;
    });

    btnWebcam.setOnClickListener(v -> {
        if (webcamEnabled) {
          meeting.disableWebcam();
          Toast.makeText(mContext,"Webcam Disabled",Toast.LENGTH_SHORT).show();
        } else {
          meeting.enableWebcam();
          Toast.makeText(mContext,"Webcam Enabled",Toast.LENGTH_SHORT).show();
        }
        webcamEnabled=!webcamEnabled;
    });

    btnLeave.setOnClickListener(v -> meeting.leave());

    btnHls.setOnClickListener(v -> {
      if (!hlsEnabled) {
        JSONObject config = new JSONObject();
        JSONObject layout = new JSONObject();
        JsonUtils.jsonPut(layout, "type", "SPOTLIGHT");
        JsonUtils.jsonPut(layout, "priority", "PIN");
        JsonUtils.jsonPut(layout, "gridSize", 4);
        JsonUtils.jsonPut(config, "layout", layout);
        JsonUtils.jsonPut(config, "orientation", "portrait");
        JsonUtils.jsonPut(config, "theme", "DARK");
        JsonUtils.jsonPut(config, "quality", "high");
        meeting.startHls(config);
      } else {
        meeting.stopHls();
      }
    });
  }
}

After adding listeners for buttons, let's add MeetingEventListener to the meeting and remove all the listeners in onDestroy() method.

public class SpeakerFragment extends Fragment {

  @Override
  public View onCreateView(LayoutInflater inflater, ViewGroup container,
                            Bundle savedInstanceState) {
    //...
    if (meeting != null) {
        //...
        // add Listener to the meeting
        meeting.addEventListener(meetingEventListener);
    }
    return view;
  }

  private final MeetingEventListener meetingEventListener = new MeetingEventListener() {
    @Override
    public void onMeetingLeft() {
      //unpin local participant
      meeting.getLocalParticipant().unpin("SHARE_AND_CAM");
      if (isAdded()) {
        Intent intents = new Intent(mContext, JoinActivity.class);
        intents.addFlags(Intent.FLAG_ACTIVITY_NEW_TASK
                | Intent.FLAG_ACTIVITY_CLEAR_TOP | Intent.FLAG_ACTIVITY_CLEAR_TASK);
        startActivity(intents);
        mActivity.finish();
      }
    }

    @RequiresApi(api = Build.VERSION_CODES.P)
    @Override
    public void onHlsStateChanged(JSONObject HlsState) {
        if (HlsState.has("status")) {
          try {
            tvHlsState.setText("Current HLS State : " + HlsState.getString("status"));
            if (HlsState.getString("status").equals("HLS_STARTED")) {
                hlsEnabled=true;
                btnHls.setText("Stop HLS");
            }
            if (HlsState.getString("status").equals("HLS_STOPPED")) {
                hlsEnabled = false;
                btnHls.setText("Start HLS");
            }
          } catch (JSONException e) {
              e.printStackTrace();
          }
        }
    }
  };

  @Override
  public void onDestroy() {
    mContext = null;
    mActivity = null;
    if (meeting != null) {
        meeting.removeAllListeners();
        meeting = null;
    }
    super.onDestroy();
  }

}

The next step is to render the speaker's view. With RecyclerView, we will display the list of participants who have joined the meeting as host.

- Here the participant's video is displayed using VideoView, but you may also use SurfaceViewRender for the same.
- For VideoView, SDK version should be 0.1.13 or higher.
- To know more about VideoView, please visit here.

Create a new layout for the participant view named item_remote_peer.xml in the res/layout folder.

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<FrameLayout xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
    xmlns:app="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res-auto"
    xmlns:tools="http://schemas.android.com/tools"
    android:layout_width="match_parent"
    android:layout_height="200dp"
    android:background="@color/cardview_dark_background"
    tools:layout_height="200dp">

    <live.videosdk.rtc.android.VideoView
        android:id="@+id/participantView"
        android:layout_width="match_parent"
        android:layout_height="match_parent"
        android:visibility="gone" />

    <LinearLayout
        android:layout_width="match_parent"
        android:layout_height="wrap_content"
        android:layout_gravity="bottom"
        android:background="#99000000"
        android:orientation="horizontal">

        <TextView
            android:id="@+id/tvName"
            android:layout_width="0dp"
            android:layout_height="wrap_content"
            android:layout_weight="1"
            android:gravity="center"
            android:padding="4dp"
            android:textColor="@color/white" />

    </LinearLayout>

</FrameLayout>

Create a recycler view adapter SpeakerAdapter that will show the participant list. Create PeerViewHolder in an adapter that will extend RecyclerView.ViewHolder.

public class SpeakerAdapter extends RecyclerView.Adapter<SpeakerAdapter.PeerViewHolder> {
  private List<Participant> participantList = new ArrayList<>();
  private final Meeting meeting;
  public SpeakerAdapter(Meeting meeting) {
    this.meeting = meeting;

    updateParticipantList();

    // adding Meeting Event listener to get the participant join/leave event in the meeting.
    meeting.addEventListener(new MeetingEventListener() {
      @Override
      public void onParticipantJoined(Participant participant) {
        // check participant join as Host/Speaker or not
        if (participant.getMode().equals("CONFERENCE")) {
          // pin the participant
          participant.pin("SHARE_AND_CAM");
          // add participant in participantList
          participantList.add(participant);
        }
        notifyDataSetChanged();
      }

      @Override
      public void onParticipantLeft(Participant participant) {
        int pos = -1;
        for (int i = 0; i < participantList.size(); i++) {
          if (participantList.get(i).getId().equals(participant.getId())) {
            pos = i;
            break;
          }
        }
        if(participantList.contains(participant)) {
          // unpin participant who left the meeting
          participant.unpin("SHARE_AND_CAM");
          // remove participant from the list
          participantList.remove(participant);
        }
        if (pos >= 0) {
            notifyItemRemoved(pos);
        }
      }
    });
  }

  private void updateParticipantList() {
    participantList = new ArrayList<>();

    // adding the local participant(You) to the list
    participantList.add(meeting.getLocalParticipant());

    // adding participants who join as Host/Speaker
    Iterator<Participant> participants = meeting.getParticipants().values().iterator();
    for (int i = 0; i < meeting.getParticipants().size(); i++) {
      final Participant participant = participants.next();
      if (participant.getMode().equals("CONFERENCE")) {
        // pin the participant
        participant.pin("SHARE_AND_CAM");
        // add participant in participantList
        participantList.add(participant);
      }
    }
  }

  @NonNull
  @Override
  public PeerViewHolder onCreateViewHolder(@NonNull ViewGroup parent, int viewType) {
    return new PeerViewHolder(LayoutInflater.from(parent.getContext()).inflate(R.layout.item_remote_peer, parent, false));
  }

  @Override
  public void onBindViewHolder(@NonNull PeerViewHolder holder, int position) {
    Participant participant = participantList.get(position);

    holder.tvName.setText(participant.getDisplayName());

    // adding the initial video stream for the participant into the 'VideoView'
    for (Map.Entry<String, Stream> entry : participant.getStreams().entrySet()) {
      Stream stream = entry.getValue();
      if (stream.getKind().equalsIgnoreCase("video")) {
        holder.participantView.setVisibility(View.VISIBLE);
        VideoTrack videoTrack = (VideoTrack) stream.getTrack();
        holder.participantView.addTrack(videoTrack);
        break;
      }
    }

    // add Listener to the participant which will update start or stop the video stream of that participant
    participant.addEventListener(new ParticipantEventListener() {
        @Override
        public void onStreamEnabled(Stream stream) {
          if (stream.getKind().equalsIgnoreCase("video")) {
            holder.participantView.setVisibility(View.VISIBLE);
            VideoTrack videoTrack = (VideoTrack) stream.getTrack();
            holder.participantView.addTrack(videoTrack);
          }
        }

        @Override
        public void onStreamDisabled(Stream stream) {
          if (stream.getKind().equalsIgnoreCase("video")) {
            holder.participantView.removeTrack();
            holder.participantView.setVisibility(View.GONE);
          }
        }
    });
  }

  @Override
  public int getItemCount() {
    return participantList.size();
  }

  static class PeerViewHolder extends RecyclerView.ViewHolder {
    // 'VideoView' to show Video Stream
    public VideoView participantView;
    public TextView tvName;
    public View itemView;

    PeerViewHolder(@NonNull View view) {
        super(view);
        itemView = view;
        tvName = view.findViewById(R.id.tvName);
        participantView = view.findViewById(R.id.participantView);
    }
  }
}

Add this adapter to the SpeakerFragment.

 @Override
  public View onCreateView(LayoutInflater inflater, ViewGroup container,
                            Bundle savedInstanceState) {
    //...
    if (meeting != null) {
      //...
      final RecyclerView rvParticipants = view.findViewById(R.id.rvParticipants);
      rvParticipants.setLayoutManager(new GridLayoutManager(mContext, 2));
      rvParticipants.setAdapter(new SpeakerAdapter(meeting));
    }
}

Step 4: Implement ViewerView

When the host starts live streaming, The viewer can see the live streaming.

To implement the player view, We're going to use ExoPlayer. It will be helpful to play the HLS stream.

But first, Let's add a dependency to the project.

dependencies {
  implementation 'com.google.android.exoplayer:exoplayer:2.18.5'
  // other app dependencies
  }

Create a new Fragment named ViewerFragment

(a) Creating UI

The Viewer Fragment will include :

TextView for Meeting ID - The meeting ID that you joined will be displayed in this text view.
Leave Button - This button will leave the meeting.
waitingLayout - This textView will be shown when there is no active HLS.
StyledPlayerView - This is a media player that will display live streaming.

In /app/res/layout/fragment_viewer.xml file, replace the content with the following.

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<RelativeLayout xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
    xmlns:app="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res-auto"
    xmlns:tools="http://schemas.android.com/tools"
    android:layout_width="match_parent"
    android:layout_height="match_parent"
    android:background="@color/black"
    tools:context=".ViewerFragment">

    <LinearLayout
        android:id="@+id/meetingLayout"
        android:layout_width="match_parent"
        android:layout_height="wrap_content"
        android:paddingHorizontal="12sp"
        android:paddingVertical="5sp">

        <TextView
            android:id="@+id/meetingId"
            android:layout_width="0dp"
            android:layout_height="wrap_content"
            android:layout_weight="3"
            android:text="Meeting Id : "
            android:textColor="@color/white"
            android:textSize="20sp" />

        <Button
            android:id="@+id/btnLeave"
            android:layout_width="0dp"
            android:layout_height="wrap_content"
            android:layout_weight="1"
            android:text="Leave" />

    </LinearLayout>

    <TextView
        android:id="@+id/waitingLayout"
        android:layout_width="match_parent"
        android:layout_height="match_parent"
        android:text="Waiting for host \n to start the live streaming"
        android:textColor="@color/white"
        android:textFontWeight="700"
        android:textSize="20sp"
        android:gravity="center"/>

    <com.google.android.exoplayer2.ui.StyledPlayerView
        android:id="@+id/player_view"
        android:layout_width="match_parent"
        android:layout_height="match_parent"
        android:visibility="gone"
        app:resize_mode="fixed_width"
        app:show_buffering="when_playing"
        app:show_subtitle_button="false"
        app:use_artwork="false"
        app:show_next_button="false"
        app:show_previous_button="false"
        app:use_controller="true"
        android:layout_below="@id/meetingLayout"/>

</RelativeLayout>

(b) Initialize player and Play HLS stream

Initialize the player and play the HLS when the HLS state is HLS_PLAYABLE, and release it when the HLS state is HLS_STOPPED. Whenever the meeting HLS state changes, the event onHlsStateChanged will be triggered.

public class ViewerFragment extends Fragment {

  private Meeting meeting;
  protected StyledPlayerView playerView;
  private TextView waitingLayout;
  protected @Nullable
  ExoPlayer player;

  private DefaultHttpDataSource.Factory dataSourceFactory;
  private boolean startAutoPlay=true;
  private String downStreamUrl = "";
  private static Activity mActivity;
  private static Context mContext;

  public ViewerFragment() {
      // Required empty public constructor
  }

  @Override
  public void onCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState) {
    super.onCreate(savedInstanceState);
  }

  @Override
  public View onCreateView(LayoutInflater inflater, ViewGroup container,
                            Bundle savedInstanceState) {
    // Inflate the layout for this fragment
    View view = inflater.inflate(R.layout.fragment_viewer, container, false);

    playerView = view.findViewById(R.id.player_view);

    waitingLayout = view.findViewById(R.id.waitingLayout);
    if(meeting != null) {
      // set MeetingId to TextView
      ((TextView) view.findViewById(R.id.meetingId)).setText("Meeting Id : " + meeting.getMeetingId());
      // leave the meeting on btnLeave click
      ((Button) view.findViewById(R.id.btnLeave)).setOnClickListener(v -> meeting.leave());
      // add listener to meeting
      meeting.addEventListener(meetingEventListener);
    }
    return view;
  }


  @Override
  public void onAttach(@NonNull Context context) {
    super.onAttach(context);
    mContext = context;
    if (context instanceof Activity) {
      mActivity = (Activity) context;
      // get meeting object from MeetingActivity
      meeting = ((MeetingActivity) mActivity).getMeeting();
    }
  }

  private final MeetingEventListener meetingEventListener = new MeetingEventListener() {

      @Override
      public void onMeetingLeft() {
        if (isAdded()) {
          Intent intents = new Intent(mContext, JoinActivity.class);
          intents.addFlags(Intent.FLAG_ACTIVITY_NEW_TASK
                  | Intent.FLAG_ACTIVITY_CLEAR_TOP | Intent.FLAG_ACTIVITY_CLEAR_TASK);
          startActivity(intents);
          mActivity.finish();
        }
      }

      @RequiresApi(api = Build.VERSION_CODES.P)
      @Override
      public void onHlsStateChanged(JSONObject HlsState) {
        if (HlsState.has("status")) {
          try {
            if (HlsState.getString("status").equals("HLS_PLAYABLE") && HlsState.has("downstreamUrl")) {
              downStreamUrl = HlsState.getString("downstreamUrl");
              waitingLayout.setVisibility(View.GONE);
              playerView.setVisibility(View.VISIBLE);
              // initialize player
              initializePlayer();
            }
            if (HlsState.getString("status").equals("HLS_STOPPED")) {
              // release the player
              releasePlayer();
              downStreamUrl = null;
              waitingLayout.setText("Host has stopped \n the live streaming");
              waitingLayout.setVisibility(View.VISIBLE);
              playerView.setVisibility(View.GONE);
            }
          } catch (JSONException e) {
              e.printStackTrace();
          }
        }
    }
  };

  protected void initializePlayer() {
    if (player == null) {
      dataSourceFactory = new DefaultHttpDataSource.Factory();
      HlsMediaSource mediaSource = new HlsMediaSource.Factory(dataSourceFactory).createMediaSource(
              MediaItem.fromUri(Uri.parse(this.downStreamUrl)));
      ExoPlayer.Builder playerBuilder =
              new ExoPlayer.Builder(/* context= */ mContext);
      player = playerBuilder.build();
      // auto play when player is ready
      player.setPlayWhenReady(startAutoPlay);
      player.setMediaSource(mediaSource);
      // if you want display setting for player then remove this line
      playerView.findViewById(com.google.android.exoplayer2.ui.R.id.exo_settings).setVisibility(View.GONE);
      playerView.setPlayer(player);
    }
    player.prepare();
  }

  protected void releasePlayer() {
    if (player != null) {
      player.release();
      player = null;
      dataSourceFactory = null;
      playerView.setPlayer(/* player= */ null);
    }
  }

  @Override
  public void onDestroy() {
    mContext = null;
    mActivity = null;
    downStreamUrl = null;
    releasePlayer();
    if (meeting != null) {
      meeting.removeAllListeners();
      meeting = null;
    }
    super.onDestroy();
  }

}

Final Output

Congratulations! Following this tutorial, you have successfully integrated HTTP live streaming capabilities into your Android app using VideoSDK. Let's recap what you have accomplished:

Created a user-friendly joining screen allowing users to enter a meeting ID and join as a host or viewer.
Implemented the necessary logic to generate meeting IDs and handle different roles (host/viewer).
Developed a meeting screen where users can participate in HTTP live-streaming sessions, engage with the stream, chat with other participants, and have real-time discussions.

To unlock the full potential of VideoSDK and create easy-to-use video experiences, developers are encouraged to sign up for VideoSDK and further explore its features.

Sign up with VideoSDK today and Get 10000 minutes free to take your Android video app to the next level!

How to Build Live Streaming Video Call App in Java?

Kishan Nakrani

Integrating HLS with VideoSDK on Android

Prerequisites

Create a new Android Project

Add permissions to your project

Structure of the project

App Architecture

Build an Android Live Video Streaming App

Step 1: Creating Joining Screen

(a) Creating UI

(b) Integration of Create Meeting API

Step 2: Creating Meeting Screen

(b) Initializing the Meeting

Step 3: Implement `SpeakerView`

Step 4: Implement ViewerView

(a) Creating UI

(b) Initialize player and Play HLS stream

Final Output

More Android Resources

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