The <video> Element

Lachlan Hunt - 2007-06-07

Markup

<video src="video.ogg"
       autoplay="autoplay"
       start="0"
       loopstart=""
       loopend=""
       end=""
       loopcount="0"
       controls="controls">

Why?

• Flash is widely used for video
• It's proprietary
• Flash is too complex for average authors
• Video should be a first class object, just like images
• Browsers should have native support

File Formats

• Patent/Royalty Free are Strongly Recommended:
  • Ogg Theora/Vorbis and Dirac
• Software Patents are Evil!
• Legal issues with MPEG, WMV, MOV, etc.
• Unfortunately, Microsoft and Apple are scared of Submarine Patents

DOM APIs

• play()
• pause()
• volume
• Various APIs for Looping
• Various APIs for Seeking
• Events
• Make custom-designed User Interface

Embarrassing Video

Download the Video (Ogg Theora, 14.8MiB)