Browser based video formats in HTML5

Video formats are diverse and each of them can be used in a specified browsers. Few of the video formats are MP4, VP8, VP9, Theora and so on. There are lots of browsers being used in the web. Most of the web developers are not aware of the latest browsers and the video formats supported by the browsers, they automatically use the prescribed or default video formats. In order to display the videos without any plugins, HTML 5 launched an element called ‘video element’.

Let us have brief information about the Video element of HTML 5 and the browser-based video formats in this article…

HTML 5 Supported Video Formats

HTML5 does not state which video formats should be supported browsers. If a video format is appropriate, the browser can support them for free. But, content authors will not allow them to do so, as they consider that the browsers have no least set of video formats to support.

The HTML5 Working Group states that, each browser should support at least one video format. That ideal format of a video should hold the following constraints:

• Royalty-free
• Good image quality
• Low decode processor use
• Good compression
• Hardware video decoder must be present with software decoder for a video format. 

Video Element of HTML 5

To download a video file in a browser, two methods are used:

• JavaScript canPlayType() function

Type refers to the MIME (Multi-Purpose Internet Mail Extension) type and the list of codecs. This instructs the browser to decode the file.

•  <source>

Fallback is supported by the ‘video’ element through the multiple sources specifications. <source> can be any number of elements. The file to be downloaded can be picked by the browser.

Browser- based Video Formats

Theora and WebM are the free formats. MPEG-4 is the non-free format. The most common browser-based video formats in HTML 5 are:

• Theora
• H.264 (MP4)
• VP8
• VP9
• MPEG 4

Let us see in detail about the browser-based video formats regarding their operating systems, versions, and the browsers to be used.

 

Theora

Theora	Browser	OS	Latest Version
3.0	Google Chrome	35.0.1916.153	35.0.1916.153
Manual	Internet Explorer	Windows	11.09
3.5	Mozilla Firefox	Windows 7+, Vista, Linux,  Android and others	30.0 ESR 24.6.0
2.3	Android	Android	4.2.1 Jelly Bean
2.28	Web	All supported	3.12.2
10.50	Opera	Windows Presto, Windows OS, Linux, FreeBSD	12.17, 22.0.1471.7, 12.16
r18297	Chromium	Unix, & others	-
Manual	Safari	OSX	7.0.5, 6.1.5
4.4	Konqueror	All supported	4.13.1

 

H.264 (MP4)

MP4	Browser	OS	Latest Version
3.0	Google Chrome	35.0.1916.153
9.0, 9.0, 10.0	Internet Explorer	Windows, Windows Phone, Windows RT	11.09, 10.0, 10.0
21.0, 22.0, 26.0, 17.0	Mozilla Firefox	Windows 7+, Vista, Linux,  Android	30.0 ESR 24.6.0
3.0	Android	Android	4.2.1 Jelly Bean
2.28	Web	All supported	3.12.2
11.50	Opera	20 for Android 12.0.22 for Symbian S60 10.0 for Windows Mobile
3.1	Safari	OSX	7.0.5, 6.1.5
Manual	Chromium	Unix	-
4.4	Konqueror	All supported	4.13.1

 

 VP8

VP8	Browser	OS	Latest Version
6.0	Google Chrome	35.0.1916.153
Manual	Internet Explorer	Windows	11.09
4.0	Mozilla Firefox	Windows 7+, Vista, Linux,  Android & others	30.0 ESR 24.6.0
2.3	Android	Android	4.2.1 Jelly Bean
2.28	Web	All supported	3.12.2
11.50 10.50	Opera	20 for Android, 12.0.22 for Symbian S60 10.0 for Windows Mobile
		Windows Presto, Windows OS, Linux, FreeBSD
Manual	Safari	OSX	7.0.5, 6.1.5
r47759	Chromium	Unix	-
4.4	Konqueror	All supported	4.13.1

 VP9

VP9	Browser	OS	Latest Version
29.0	Google Chrome	35.0.1916.153
-	Internet Explorer	-
28.0	Mozilla Firefox	Windows 7+, Vista, Linux,  Android & others	30.0 ESR 24.6.0
-	Android	-
2.28	Web	All supported	3.12.2
16.0	Opera	20 for Android 12.0.22 for Symbian S60 10.0 for Windows Mobile
-	Safari	-	-
r172738	Chromium	Unix	-
4.4	Konqueror	All supported	4.13.1

   

MPEG 4/H.264

This format is widely used. It has good speed, video quality, hardware decoders, and compression.

H.264 is used in MP4 format, with Advanced Audio Coding (AAC) audio. Users of MP4 should hold the licences of both AAC and H.264. This format is supported by Apple and Microsoft. 

Promote your business using open source website development

Technology growth is visible with the evolving new technology-based gadgets and web solutions in the market. This makes a clear statement that internet has become a new platform to boost up the business. This attracts millions of users towards this great technology, and the number of web users has escalated. As a result, the development of websites and web applications has also been increased.

Open Source platforms are the gifted boon to the burgeoning eCommerce industry. When compared to the usual commercial products, these platforms present noteworthy benefits. This is one of the amazing platforms to craft and develop strong and scalable web applications and websites.

Let us have a quick study of how open source website development endorse and amplify the E-business…

Open Source
The word ‘open source’ implies that it is open to all. This is also known as ‘Free Source Software’. This model gives you the universal access without any license. Using this amazing software, websites creations are done at ease. The persons with minimal technical knowledge can craft and design a site without any technical help.

Open Source Software
The software developed publicly in a mutual manner is called ‘open source software’. They are available to the public without paying any accessing fees or copyright restrictions. Anyone using web can view the code, download them, update them share them for free. The programs of this software can be improved to a higher extent by sharing them with the friends.

Open Source software Development
Developing the open source software publicly is called as open source software development. The source code of those software products are available to the public to modify or change them to advance their design.

Advantages of Open Source for Website Development
Open Source always provides high-quality, secured and commercial web solutions thereby resulting in the growth of a website to an elevated position. Given below are the advantages of open source for website development:

1. Stability

For operations continuity, it provides stability.  Users can/cannot take upgrades. It changes as per the requirements of the business.  File format/version compatibility issues are less.

2. Cost-effective

Free software, perhaps zero purchase price, upgrade fees, management costs, etc.  Cost less when compared to other technologies. Starting from product purchase till the upgrades, it never cracks down your budget. The business can be promoted within low budget.

3. Audit ability

Claims that are made by the developers can be checked by anyone. Security threats and backdoor accounts can be verified by any user using the open source.

4. Quality

The numbers of developers are unrestricted. So any number of developers can work in the development process. The end-users get what they want, as they can be personalized as per their creativity. The quality of the product depends on the number of users/developers.

5. Secure

No need to check for data loss and virus as there are less flaws, bugs and viruses. As they’re open to all, the bugs are tested frequently with the number of people viewing the code. They reduce the load of the system admin. They’re least liable to hack attacks and security breaches.

6. Freedom

As per your business, you can customize the websites as there’s no vendor-lock constraint.
• Add desired functionality
• No compatibility issues
• Free internal data exchange
• Effective management of vendors
• Modifying the site as per your company needs

7. Support

Users or supporters from all over the world can give effective solutions to the problems, if raised. It doesn't costs you much.

These advantages of Open Source Software make them a most preferred choice for all websites and web applications as it is an effective solution in promoting the business to the pinnacle!