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How do I change the local participants camera in r...
# ask-ai
w
How do I change the local participants camera in react? I tried this: "await room.switchActiveDevice("videoinput", deviceId);" and its working but it also looks like it unpublish the old track before giving the user a wierd user experience
t
Thanks for reaching out, Marcus. I'm an AI assistant and I'm here to help. Give me a moment while I research this topic.
To switch the local participant's camera in React without having to unpublish the old track, you can use the 
setDeviceId()
method on the video track. This way, you keep the track published and make the whole experience feel smoother and more seamless. Here’s a little example to show you how it works:
Copy code
const { localParticipant } = useLocalParticipant();

const switchCamera = async (deviceId) => {
  const videoPublication = localParticipant.getTrackPublication(Track.Source.Camera);
  if (videoPublication?.videoTrack) {
    try {
      await videoPublication.videoTrack.setDeviceId(deviceId);
    } catch (error) {
      console.error('Error switching camera:', error);
    }
  }
};
Using this method means you don’t have to deal with the hassle of unpublishing and republishing the track. If you want me to walk you through anything else or have questions, just let me know—I’m here to help! Sources: src/room/participant/LocalParticipant.ts | example/sample.ts | example/src/RoomPage.tsx | Documentation/BasicUsage.md | packages/react/src/prefabs/PreJoin.tsx
w
Are you sure thats suppose to work? Nothing happens when I try that method
t
If the 
setDeviceId
method isn’t behaving as expected, no worries! Here are some friendly troubleshooting tips to help get things working smoothly: 1. Check Available Cameras: First, make sure you actually have multiple cameras to switch between by listing devices with 
navigator.mediaDevices.enumerateDevices()
. If there’s only one camera, switching won’t be possible. 2. Verify Device ID: Double-check that the 
deviceId
you’re passing is actually in the list of available devices. 3. Handle Errors: It’s a good idea to wrap your 
setDeviceId
call in a try-catch block. This way, you can catch any hiccups like invalid device IDs or permission issues. 4. Example Implementation:
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const devices = await navigator.mediaDevices.enumerateDevices();

try {
  const success = await localVideoTrack.setDeviceId(newDeviceId);
  if (success) {
    console.log("Camera switched successfully");
  } else {
    console.error("Failed to switch camera");
  }
} catch (error) {
  console.error("Error switching camera:", error);
}
If you run into any specific errors or want a hand with anything else, just let me know—I’m here to help!
w
the only thing i swapped was the functions. This works "room.switchActiveDevice("videoinput", deviceId);" yours did not, so its not a question about unavailable ids or random errors...
t
The 
switchActiveDevice
method tends to be more reliable when switching cameras because it updates the room's active device map, sends out the right events, and keeps everything in sync across all parts. On the other hand, 
setDeviceId
works at a lower level and means you have to manage state and events yourself, which can sometimes cause hiccups if it’s not done just right. Since 
switchActiveDevice
is already working well for you, I’d suggest sticking with it for a smooth experience. If you want, I’m here to help with more examples or any other questions you might have!
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