Flow: Screen Sharing with Desktop Audio

Modified on Sun, 10 Jan 2021 at 02:31 AM

Normally, the Screen Sharing block will display your desktop images without any associated audio. Now, while using Google Chrome or the latest version of Microsoft Edge (using Chromium), you can choose to share desktop audio along with your screen for a more immersive experience.

To learn more about setting up and running a Screen Sharing block, click HERE.

This procedure only works while using the latest version of the Google Chrome (and Microsoft Edge based on Chromium) web browser. Other browsers will not work for sharing but can be used for viewing as Attendees.

Sharing Desktop Audio through Chrome Screen Sharing

After setting up a Screen Sharing block in your Storyboard and starting the Screen Sharing function via the button in the lower-left corner of the UI, you will see the content sharing window as normal. However, now there is a new Share Audio option at the lower left of the window:

Share audio with the entire screen

Share audio of a browser tab

Check the box for Share audio then click the Share button.

When the Screen Sharing block is active, your Attendees will now be able to hear audio from your default desktop audio source. This will allow you to do such things as:

Share video and audio content with your audience from YouTube or other sources. These are not currently supported by the Video Player tool
Show audio-enhanced slide shows via PowerPoint directly
Present tutorials of desktop applications that have their own dedicated audio

Important Notes

Here are a few important notes to consider while sharing your desktop audio thorough Screen Sharing:

Again, this is only available via the latest version of the Google Chrome web browsers. Other browsers are not supported for this use.
Audio can only be shared when using the Your Entire Screen or Chrome Tab sharing functions. Shared audio is NOT available when sharing an Application Window.
ALL desktop audio from your default audio output source will be broadcast out to your room, including other Presenter audio if you have multiple Presenters On-Air during a Screen Sharing block. We highly suggest that you only have one (1) Presenter On-Air during any Screen Sharing block to avoid any audio feedback.

You can try changing settings in the Sound control panel of your Operating System to route audio through a different default device to change what audio is being shared.

In Prep Mode, all connected Operators (Organizers and Presenters) can hear all audio sources even when they're not On-Air, including the audio for Screen Sharing, due to Conference Mode audio. This may cause some unintended echoing of audio feeds for some Presenters.