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Frequently asked questions

Welcome to OpenTalk's FAQ! Here you will find the most frequently asked questions from the community to quickly find the right answers. If you cannot find an answer to a question, please contact our support.

First steps​

How do I join a video conference with OpenTalk?​

To join a video call, simply open the link in your browser. If the link doesn't go straight to your browser from your calendar tool, try copying and pasting the link into your browser's address bar.

What are the system requirements for using OpenTalk?​

You can use OpenTalk on your desktop and mobile devices with the following minimum system requirements:

Client Hardware

Minimum performance class

CPU: From model year 2019, e.g. Intel Celeron/i3 from 3GHz, or AMD Ryzen/Athlon 3000 from 2.1GHz or newer

Memory (RAM): 4GB, recommended: 8GB

Graphics

Depending on the browser version (hardware acceleration recommended)

Miscellaneous: Internal or external camera and microphone supported by the browser; 5GB free disk space

Operating Systems

Windows:

  • Windows 10: 2021H1 with Microsoft Edge
  • Windows 11: 2021H2 with Microsoft Edge (!No Internet Explorer!)

macOS:

  • 12.0 (Moneray)

Linux: in connection with supported browsers

  • Debian 10
  • Ubuntu 21
  • RedHat / CentOS 8
  • OpenSUSE 15.3
  • Other: Versions from 2021

Browsers

  • Google Chrome (Windows, macOS, Linux 89)
  • Google Chrome Android 112
  • Chromium 90 -Microsoft Edge89
  • Safari on macOS 14.1 (not recommended)
  • Firefox 89

Mobile browsers

  • Google Chrome Android 112
  • Safari on iOS / iPadOS 14.5 (not recommended)

Can I use OpenTalk on my mobile device?​

You can open OpenTalk in your mobile browser. Please note that OpenTalk does not currently have a mobile app, but we are busy working on it.

Can I schedule an OpenTalk video conference in advance?​

To schedule a new video conference in advance, you can click "Schedule New Meeting" on the OpenTalk dashboard and simply follow the steps in the interface.

How many participants can participate in a video conference with OpenTalk?​

The maximum number of participants who can participate in an OpenTalk video conference call depends on your OpenTalk plans. Starter plans can talk to up to 5 participants, standard plans up to 50. The maximum number of participants in the premium plan is currently up to 200. You can find an overview of all plan details here.

What is the maximum duration of a video conference with OpenTalk?​

The maximum duration of a video conference is based on your OpenTalk plan. Starters can talk for a maximum of 30 minutes, with standard rates up to 240 minutes. Premium customer conferences are unlimited in time. Plan details can be found here here.

What are the different moderation features available during an OpenTalk video conference?​

OpenTalk offers an extensive range of collaboration features you need for efficient virtual meetings. These include a whiteboard, polls and polls, breakout rooms, a coffee break timer, and more.

The full list of features can be found here.

How can I ensure the quality of my video and audio during a video conference with OpenTalk?​

High quality video and audio during a video conference call is critical to effective communication. Here are some tips to help you achieve optimal quality:

  • Stable internet connection: A stable internet connection is crucial for clear video and audio quality. Make sure you have a reliable and fast internet connection to avoid problems like video freezes, choppy audio quality or dropped calls.
  • Test your gear: Before calling, test your gear to make sure everything is working properly. Check your camera, microphone, and speakers to make sure they are in good condition and working properly.
  • Control background noise: Background noise can be distracting and disrupt the flow of the meeting. Make sure you're in a quiet area and use headphones to avoid feedback and echoes.
  • Close other applications: Close all other applications on your computer that are not necessary for the call. This ensures that your computer's resources are used exclusively for the video conference.
  • Pposition yourself correctly: Make sure you are well lit and in a good position for the camera to capture your face and upper body. This allows the other participants to see and hear you clearly.

With these tips, you can ensure high quality video and audio during your video conference with OpenTalk, resulting in clear communication and a productive meeting.

Can I integrate OpenTalk with other applications or platforms, such as a calendar or project management tool?​

Integrations are a great way to increase your productivity and automate workflows. We currently offer an integration with the Outlook calendar functionality (July 2023) and are already working on further integrations.

Can I use virtual backgrounds during a video conference with OpenTalk?​

To protect the privacy of those around you, OpenTalk allows you to blur the background, making it unrecognizable. More virtual backgrounds will follow soon! Note: Currently we don't offer virtual backgrounds in Safari during a video conference call. However, we are already working hard on it.

How do I share my screen during an OpenTalk video conference?​

To share your screen during a video conference, simply click the screen-sharing button on the left side of the participant's screen.

How do I mute or unblock my microphone during an OpenTalk video conference?​

On the left side of the attendee screen you will find the mute/unmute button, it is indicated through a microphone icon.

Can I use subtitles or closed captions during a video conference call?​

Currently we do not offer subtitles or subtitles. However, it is in our plans and we are working on it. Please contact salesour sales team

How do I leave and end an Opentalk video conference?​

To exit a video conference call, you can click the red phone button. This will close the conference window for you. However, other participants can still speak.

How do I moderate a debriefing?​

As a moderator, you have the option of initiating a debriefing. This allows you to drop specific participants (such as guests) from the conference while other participants remain. You can find the debriefing feature in the moderation bar on the left side of the screen. To learn more about breakout rooms, click here [link to manual section].

Is it possible to have breakout rooms or smaller group discussions in OpenTalk video conferences?​

OpenTalk offers breakout rooms so participants can retreat into smaller workgroups. Breakout rooms are available in Standard & Premium plans. To learn more about breakout rooms, click here.

Do you offer a virtual whiteboard ?​

Yes, OpenTalk also offers a collaborative whiteboard feature, available in Standard & Premium plans. To learn more about it, click here.

Privacy & data protection​

How does the OpenTalk video conferencing solution ensure my privacy and protect my personal data?​

privacy and the protection of all your data is OpenTalk's DNA. Here are some of the measures we take to ensure your privacy and protect your personal information:

  • Encryption: All video and audio data is encrypted using TLS. In addition, we are currently working on a solution for E2E encryption.
  • Password Protection: All meetings can be password protected, preventing unauthorized access to the meeting room. In addition, you have control over who is invited to your meeting and you can remove attendees at any time.
  • Regular security updates: We update our software regularly to ensure it is up to date with the latest security features and protections.
  • GDPR Compliance: We are fully compliant with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and other data protection laws ensuring that your personal information is protected and treated with the utmost care.
  • It security zones: OpenTalk is currently developing a solution for IT security zoning. This solution determines on which conference server a conference can take place. This ensures that sensitive conferences with sensitive content only have to take place in the in-house network and thus on an additional level of protection, while open conferences with external participants are also carried out traffic-optimized on Videobridge servers that are freely accessible on the Internet.
  • Hosting in our own data center: In addition, we host our own data center in Berlin at OpenTalk's mother Heinlein Support. For customers with special security requirements, we also offer on-premise hosting. Our sales team will happily adivse you regarding a fitting solution for your organisation.

Can I control the tool's access to my camera and microphone in OpenTalk?​

Yes, all conference participants can deactivate respective microphone and camera at any time. Without the consent of the participant, their microphone and camera cannot be activated. By default, the camera and microphone are turned off when you join a conference lobby.

Can OpenTalk be used anonymously and without providing personal data?​

OpenTalk's video conferencing solutions can be used anonymously and without providing personal information. Here are some options for attendees:

  • Attendees have the ability to join conversations without prior login/account registration. You can just click the link to join the conference call and join anonymously.
  • Participants can participate without turning on their cameras and use synonyms for names to protect their identity. This allows them to join the call anonymously.
  • Participants can also dial in by telephone and participate in the conversation without revealing their identity.

Please note that as a host you cannot use OpenTalk anonymously. Conferences must be created via the dashboard, for which you must be a registered user.

Is end-to-end encryption used to secure OpenTalk video conferences?​

In video conferencing, end-to-end encryption means that only the participants in a call can access and decrypt the video and audio content of the meeting. This means that the video and audio content of the meeting is encrypted on the participants' devices and is not decrypted until it reaches the other participants' devices. We're currently developing a solution for that.

How are user identities authenticated during a video conference with OpenTalk?​

As a privacy-oriented company, we also value security. During a video conference using OpenTalk, we employ a combination of security measures to authenticate user identities to ensure a safe and reliable communication experience. Here's how we achieve it:

  • We rely on TLS: We prioritize the protection of user data by using the Transport Layer Security (TLS) protocol. This creates an encrypted connection between the participants and protects the communication stream from unauthorized access. Through TLS, we securely transmit and verify user identities while maintaining data confidentiality and integrity.
  • We require user logins: To join a video conference, users must log in with their unique credentials. By implementing this registration process, we establish and authenticate the identity of each participant. This ensures that only authorized users can join the call, reducing the risk of identity theft and unauthorized access.
  • We enable password protection: We enhance user identity security with password protection. During account creation, we encourage users to set strong and confidential passwords. These passwords are stored securely using encryption techniques and are used to authenticate users during the login process. By entering a password, we ensure that only people with the correct access data can access the video conference.

Can OpenTalk video conferences be recorded and if so how are they stored and backed up?​

We will enable meeting recording via audio, video and screen sharing in the future. To protect privacy, however, users are notified of every recording started by the moderator and must also agree to this recording in the tool beforehand.

Can I control who has access to my video meetings and are there options for password protection or waiting rooms?​

Yes, you can control who has access to your video conference calls, and there are password protection and waiting room options to help you manage participants:

  • You can protect your calls by enabling password protection. Participants must enter a password before they can join the call. This ensures that only authorized users can access the conference call. To enable password protection, simply click "Request Password" and enter your preferred password when creating a new meeting. See the user manual here for more details.

  • We also offer participants a waiting room before making a call. In a waiting room, the host can control who can join the meeting by admitting participants individually or as a group. This gives the host the ability to review the list of participants before they are allowed to join the call, providing an extra layer of security and control.

How do I report privacy concerns or issues with the video conferencing tool?​

If you have any concerns about data protection, you are welcome to contact our data protection officer at Privacy[at]opentalk.eu.