This article will inform you about the platform's technical requirements. You will learn which device and browser can be used for Live Qual Research & Async Research. This applies to Moderators, Respondents, Observers & Translators
Supported Browsers
Discuss.io is designed to work with the following browsers:
- Fully supported browsers:
- Google Chrome (latest release version) Chrome Mobile (Android and iOS devices)
- Firefox (latest release version) Firefox Mobile (Android and iOS devices)
- Safari versions 13+ (Desktop & iOS devices)
- Edge (version 80 or newer)
- Fully supported mobile browsers:
- Chrome Mobile (latest release version)
- Firefox (latest release version)
- Safari (version 13 or newer)
We don't support any beta or legacy versions of these browsers or alternative open-source builds of them. We don’t support: Any version of IE, Opera, Tor. Use of unsupported browsers is at your own risk and Discuss.io is not responsible for session failure, cancellations or delays, or other problems that may occur resulting from using unsupported software or devices to access Discuss.io.
Users must have cookies and JavaScript enabled in their browsers.
For the best experience, we recommend closing unnecessary browser tabs and any programs that may also be allowing access to the camera and microphone, such as Teams, Zoom, or Skype.
The blurred background feature works for our supported Chromium browsers (Chrome & Edge) and is unavailable for non-chromium-based browsers like Safari or on IOS.
Supported Devices
Live & Async
Computer/Laptop
- Modern Laptop/Desktop and operating system
Mobile Device
- Android 8+
- iOS 13+
Mobile Screenshare
| Android | iOS |
| OS version 8 + | OS version 13 + |
|
The majority of Android Devices in the last 4 years. Including tablets. |
|
Equipment Recommendation
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Any standard webcam (integrated or external)
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A headset with a microphone to reduce environmental noise and optimize audio recording
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If attending from meeting rooms, echo–canceling speakerphone
Bandwidth Requirements
Take note of both minimum upload and download speeds for a high-quality interview:
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Upload: ≥ 1 Mbps (recommended lowest level).
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Download: ≥ 1 Mbps (recommended lowest level).
(N.b.: Participants at lower connection speeds cannot reliably send or receive screen shares. Acceptable speed calculated based on sharing 1024 × 728 px at 10 frames per second. )
Customers doing their recruitment may want to remind respondents that neither they nor anyone using their internet connection should do bandwidth-heavy activities during the interview, including but not limited to:
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Streaming videos (YouTube, Hulu, Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, etc)
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Playing online video games
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Downloading or uploading large files
Mobile Devices & Tablet
There are a few things to know for mobile and tablet devices to have the best possible experience.
- Mobile and tablet devices are available only for users in the Respondent (being interviewed) or Observer roles. Moderators must join on a laptop or desktop computer.
- Because mobile devices have shorter battery life, it is suggested that mobile participants have a charger nearby to be able to continue the conversation without dropping.
Discuss is compatible with laptops/desktop computers and current smartphones and tablets. Respondents can join via smartphones or tablets depending on the research settings.
You can control which devices are allowed for respondents to join the meeting room by editing the setting on the 'Settings' page.
Enabling the "Require Respondents to Participate via Computer" setting will prevent respondents from entering the meeting room on their mobile devices and tablets.
***Note: This setting will not block observers from entering from a mobile device. Observers will always be able to enter on any device of their choice, as long as it meets the system, browser, and device needs.
Firewalls and Corporate IT
Respondents joining from a work internet connection or work computer must confirm that firewalls and corporate IT policies will not prevent them from publishing or subscribing to video streams in their browser. It is common for IT settings to block video streaming, and most employees are not permitted to change these settings. For this reason, respondents must go through a tech check before the interview and use the same device and internet connection for the interview as they do for the test.
Learn more about Working with Firewalls
Interview Best Practices for Respondents
We recommend sending the following guidelines to respondents in order to have the best possible interview.
- Restart your device before you join to close any other apps or programs that may be running in the background
- Use the same device you used for your technical test. We also recommend using the same internet connection
- Use a headset or earbuds to reduce echo and background noise
- Show up 15 minutes early — this way we can make sure you’re ready to go and that the session starts (and ends) on time
- Find yourself somewhere comfortable, quiet, and bright so we can see and hear you
- If you take the interview from home, please ask other family members not to use programs that take up too much bandwidth (Netflix, YouTube, online games, etc)
- If you take the interview from work, please make sure to access from a quiet room where you won't have interruptions, also make sure that the company wifi is fully reachable from the room and that there are no bandwidth or firewall limitations.
- Check these troubleshooting steps if you have any technical issues.