HTML5 Video Player as Flash Alternative by YouTube

Web browsers don't need to install a browser plugin to play audio and video files in HTML5, the current working draft of markup language. Certain browsers support it. However, the video format or compression method is not standardized.

The YouTube HTML5 beta is compatible with Google Chrome and later versions of Apple Safari web browsers, as well as Microsoft Internet Explorer and Chrome Frame. This software cannot play full-screen videos, captions, or annotations. It does not yet accept advertising, which may not be a big deal for most users.

YouTube, a Google-owned company, is promoting the Google Chrome web browser, which also receives a lot of attention from commercials. Chrome presently holds around 5% of the browser market, roughly equal to Safari's share. Layout engines for both are based on the WebKit framework.

Practically, the YouTube HTML5 experiment makes use of Flash-supported H.264 video encoding. These results have frustrated proponents of the free and open-source Theora video compression standard.

Google and YouTube's support for native H.264 video playback is still substantial. Other devices that potentially provide access to YouTube do not require Flash, but they will continue to be used to reach the great majority of online users and provide more advanced features. Also, it could push other online video services to implement native HTML5 video support.

What are the Best Flash Alternatives?

Until recently, Flash was the norm for presenting video online, but with the debut of HTML5, web developers have more good options to quickly and easily streamline video content on the web.

One of the many important new HTML5 elements developed for more dynamic online applications and interfaces is the HTML5 new specification for a video. There are evident benefits for users who may now access browser-native video players without any third-party plugins even though HTML5 support is still improving.

JW Player

Skinable open source JW Player is a video player that integrates Flash and HTML5 into a single package. Flash or HTML5 mode is immediately reverted if necessary. Support for key CDNs, such as YouTube, Adobe Flash Media Server, and HTTP streaming, as well as major ad networks, analytics companies, and others, are all included in this solution.

Add-ons for JW Player are also available to enhance the player's capabilities. The JW Embedder also provides hosting solutions and mobile support for iPad, iPhone, and Android smartphones when you choose to use the product.

SublimeVideo

HTML5 video player Sublime Video lets you embed video on a website using HTML5 and Flash Fallback. Just one line of code is required to make this video player work. This solution is currently in an experimental form.

Thus it only works with a restricted number of browsers. To give a high-quality user experience, Sublime Video does not rely on any JS library and uses both HTML5 and Flash user interfaces. In addition, SublimeVideo is compatible with iPads, iPhones, Android smartphones, and other mobile devices. It's only a player, so you'll need to set up your video hosting service.

VideoJS

Open source and skinnable HTML5 video player VideoJS has three essential parts: an embed code (Video for Everybody), a JavaScript library (video.js), and a pure HTML/CSS skin (VideoJS) (video-js.css). You can embed HTML5 video. However, Flash must be used as a fallback option.

Video for Everybody is based on this extension, which provides custom HTML controls that can be styled using CSS. In contrast to hosted video players, VideoJS is a standalone application that can be installed on your computer and is compatible with a wide range of mobile devices, including the iPhone, iPad, and Android.

MediaElement.js

HTML5 audio and video player MediaElement.js is a pure HTML and CSS implementation. For older browsers, it emulates the native HTML5 API using a bespoke Flash or Silverlight player based on Video for Everybody.

Support for the HTML5 track element, full-screen video, and even Ambilight are built into MediaElement.js' skinnable player. Plugins for Drupal, jQuery, WordPress, and BlogEngine.NET are all included and support for sub-titling. Cross-browser compatibility is ensured with MediaElement.js' use of HTML and CSS for video controls.

You can use all major web browsers because of a unique fallback system and playback engine for your settings and video format. It offers a comprehensive video library, unlike other HTML5 video players. Thus you may view videos in IE as well. All accepted formats are automatically transcoded into Kaltura's player, making it easy to watch videos on any device.