If you'd like to give yourself a bit more privacy or keep the focus on yourself when sharing your video in a Session, you can upload the virtual background or use the background blur tool to obscure your surroundings.
Note: Our virtual backgrounds implementation uses a Banuba zip file. The file may get blocked by corporate firewalls or strict antivirus policies preventing virtual backgrounds from working as expected. If the feature doesn't work for you, ask your IT department to whitelist the following URLs:
- app.events.ringcentral.com/banuba/modules/face_tracker.zip
- app.events.ringcentral.com/banuba-next/modules/skin.zip
- app.events.ringcentral.com/assets/banuba/effects/effects.zip
- app.events.ringcentral.com/banuba-next/modules/background.zip
To blur a background or apply a virtual background:
- In a Session, click Share Audio and Video or Ask to Share Audio and Video. If a Session is moderated, you'll need to wait for a Moderator to approve your request.
- If prompted, allow your browser to use your camera and microphone.
- In the Audio/Video settings, under Background appearance & effect, click Blur, select one of the default virtual backgrounds, or click the Plus icon to upload your background.
✔ Your video preview will display the virtual background or the blur effect.
Tip: When uploading your own custom background, keep the following things in mind:
- Image format: Compatible formats include JPG/JPEG and PNG.
- Image size: For best results, the recommended size is 1920x1080 pixels with a 16:9 aspect ratio. A minimum size of 960x540 pixels can also work, but higher-resolution images look cleaner. Keep in mind that your video tile gets scaled, resized, and cropped depending on the number of speakers on screen, the presence of a screen share, and a chosen layout.
- File size: Keep the file size under 5MB so it uploads quickly and doesn't increase your internet bandwidth usage.
- Once ready, click Apply Selection.
✔ Your background appearance & effect will appear while you are on screen in the session!
To remove the blur effect or the virtual background at any time when you're already on screen:
- Click the Gear icon in the Speaker controls to open the audio/video settings.
- Under Background appearance & effect, select None to remove the effect.
- Once ready, click Apply Selection.
✔ You'll remain on screen but without the blur effect.
Tip: Scroll down Audio/Video settings and click More settings. Here you can add additional effects to your video, such as Touch Up Video and Softlight.