React Native equivalent of HTMLVideoElement.captureStream() for streaming local video files to mediasoup?

Integration
1

Hi all,

On the web, I stream a local video file to mediasoup by playing it in a <video> tag and using video.captureStream() to get a MediaStreamTrack.

I’m trying to do the same in React Native, but RN has no DOM, no <video>, and no captureStream(). Libraries like react-native-video can play the file, but they don’t expose any MediaStream/track that I can send to mediasoup-client.

Question:
Is there any practical way in React Native to convert a local video file into a MediaStreamTrack that mediasoup can use?
(i.e., equivalent to captureStream())

From what I understand, possible options might be:

  • Implementing a custom WebRTC video source via react-native-webrtc

  • Using FFmpeg/GStreamer to decode the file and send it via plain RTP

  • Native-level decoding (MediaCodec/AVFoundation) → feed frames into WebRTC

Before I go deeper, I’d like to know if anyone has done this or if there’s a recommended approach.

Thanks!

2

IMHO the way to go is to contribute to that project but not sure it’s doable

3

The solution is writing native modules, this one is going to hurt. This is how real virtual camera apps do it.

90% fake it with upload process, and transcoding, it’s easier but it’s not effective in some scenarios vs direct. Only where HLS may be useful.

I can’t advise on what to do, again this is going to hurt. :slight_smile: