Test Your Web Browser for Playback Compatibilities
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[edit] Overview
Some media types, such as JPEG images and PDFs, have become so commonplace that almost all web browsers are capable of understanding these MIME types and displaying them automatically in a web browser. However, when exotic or rich media types are encountered, a web browser may be lacking the proper plug-in or functionality that makes it possible for a specific digital file format to be viewed.
For audio and video files accessible through the Internet, additional browser plug-ins or functionalities are needed to ensure playback. At the same time, digital audio and video files are often provided in multiple renditions, each encoded at a different data rate. A rendition at a specific data rate is selected (either automatically or manually) to match a user's computer connection speed to the Internet (dial-up modems speed, DSL speeds, Cable Modem broadband, LAN, etc.). High quality, broadband-optimized video files will cripple someone with a 56K modem connection to the Web. The lower quality of video files optimized for dial-up connections to the Internet provide a less-than-adequate experience for those paying for megabit connectivity to the Internet.
- Internet connection speed refers to the data transfer rate from the Internet to your computer. Basically that means the amount of time it takes your computer to download a given amount of data. Internet connection speeds are usually measured in Kbps (kilobits per second, or thousands of bits per second) or KBps (kilobytes per second). Nowadays with the technological improvements in data transfer speeds, Internet connection speeds can also be measured in Mbps (megabits per second, or millions of bits per second) or MBps (megabytes per second). For example, if you had a 28.8K (28,800 bps) modem, then it would take at least 4 - 5 minutes to download a 1MB file. If you had digital subscriber line (DSL), the same 1MB file would take approximately 10 - 20 seconds.
- For a handy chart identifying expected data rates for various Internet connections and delivery channels, refer to this web page...
- To determine how fast your Internet Connection is for a specific computer, McAfee provides an online testing tool, called Internet Connection Speedometer.
The discussion about playback compatibilities is thus not only about detecting for and installing the proper player or browser plug-in, but also about matching a file's total data rate to an end user's Internet connection. Higher bit rate movies generate larger files. For digitial video or audio files that are actually downloaded from the web, more time is required to bring the file to your hard drive. For files that are streamed across the web, higher bit rate movies require faster Internet connections to produce smooth playback and display.
- For further discussion about the differences between files that are downloaded and those that are streamed, refer to this web page...
- For a chart outlining the key differences between streaming protocols, refer to this web page...
[edit] Test Your Browser Now
The Media On Demand Committee for the University of Utah has created an all-purpose set of tools to detect for the installation of one or all of the major Media Architectures, including QuickTime, Real, Windows Media, and Flash Video.
To test your computer and web browser for all major media plugins and get help installing any missing players, go here:
Our detection tools are available for use in your own site. For instruction on implementing the detection routine in your site, see the section below entitled How to Use Our Detection Tools in Your Site.
[edit] Self Determination
[edit] ...for Determining Players or Plug-ins
Today you will encounter a variety of techniques for detecting the presence of a compatible player. One method is end user self determination. The content provider and web page designer post media in a variety of media architectures, such as QuickTime or Windows Media. End users are expected to recognize which architecture is installed on their computer and ready to go. Often, the web page will include a download link in the form of badges to make it convenient for the user to download and install the proper architecture or plug-in. Here are an examples of such badges (when in use, they would have embedded html links attached to them)...
QuickTime offers a unique page on the Apple website that allows the end user to determine if they are fully functional with QuickTime-based files...
Adobe Flash also offers a page on their site that allows the user to test full functionality with the Flash Player files...
[edit] ...for Determining Bandwidth Connectivity
Many web pages will also ask the end user to self determine which size of media file best mathces their computer's bandwidth connection to the Internet. Depending on the media architecture, a selection of streams or downloads are made available. Here are some examples that ask the user to self determine which quality and size of file they prefer or must have (NOTE: THESE ARE SCREEN GRABS, NOT ACTIVE LINKS)...
- ...for QuickTime
- ...for Windows Media
As well, when a player or plug-in is originally installed, the end user is quite often asked during the installation process to indicate what their established connection speed is to the Internet.
- ...for QuickTime
- In QuickTime, the preferences for the connection speed can be pre-set in this dialog...
- ...for Real Player
- Likewise, in Real Player, the preferences for the connection speed can be pre-set in this dialog...
- ...for Windows Media Player
- And in Windows Media Player, the preferences for connection speed can be adjusted for auto-detection or as a pre-set...
[edit] Auto Determination
[edit] ...for Detecting Players or Plug-ins
Routines can be scripted and included in the embed or object tags for a media file posted to a web page. When the end user requests to view a file or stream, the routine is engaged automatically. If the player or plug-in is missing, the routine will warn the user and usually connect them to the appropriate download page. The Flash Player routine is very routine and this code is easily embedded in media file links using the latest authoring tools. QuickTime also offers auto-detection routines. Consult this web page for more information and sample code for QuickTime...
As well, we have composed an explanation page about coding a web page to autodetect the presence of QuickTime on an end user's computer. Link to this URL...
One example of a QuickTime detection routine is embedded in a website examining digital video for the web, posted by Media Solutions, University of Utah. Connect to this URL link to see this detection routine in action and the results of its work...
Another example is offered by the J. Willard Marriott Library Multimedia Center...
Yet another example of detection routines for multiple media architectures and Internet connection speeds can be accessed at this URL from the Technology Assisted Curriculum Center (TACC) at the J. Willard Marriott Library...
In some instances, if a browser plug-in is missing, a broken icon will appear on the web page. It depends entirely on how the web page is constructed.
[edit] ...for Detecting Bandwidth Connectivity
Based on the preferences set in a media player when it is originally installed, many media files will consult with that preference and then deliver the most appropriate size or quality file for that end user, with no intervention or determination by the user. RealMedia files and Windows Media files often contain multiple bandwidth versions of a single file within a rather large, single rendition of that movie. Thus, from within a single URL link, the appropriate version is delivered; this cuts down on the amount of HTML coding required and the storage of multiple media files.
For a sampler of video files that contain both self-determination and auto-detection routines for a variety of video files and file types, consult this URL link...
- http://stream.uen.org/medsol/digvid/html/sampler_linear_movies.html (the files are stored on a variety of servers across the University of Utah...if a link does not work, then that server has been unknowingly altered or changed).
[edit] How to Use Our Detection Tools in Your Site
[edit] ...for Detecting All Players or Plug-ins
To use our detection tools in your site, simply include a link (on an appropriate page of your website) to the following url...
We suggest you set this link to open in a new browser window. To do so, include the target="_blank" property in your link code. The link code should look like this:
Here is an example of how to do this in Dreamweaver:
[edit] ...for Detecting Specific Players or Plug-ins
Since the above method may be too much detail for your needs, we've provided a way to detect specific players and plug-ins individually. If you would like to detect only a single player, use one of the following links (making use of the above method for launching the link in a new browser window)...
[edit] ...for Detecting QuickTime
[edit] ...for Detecting Windows Media Player
[edit] ...for Detecting RealPlayer
[edit] ...for Detecting Flash Player
[edit] Guidelines
[edit] ...considering Flash
A formidable entry in the “Platform and Player Independent” lineup of media architectures and tools is Adobe/Macromedia’s Flash. Flash files are well known for their small file sizes, web-friendly delivery mechanism (efficient packetizing), and extremely rich interactivity. Within the last few years, Flash has been able to fold video and audio files directly into the Flash authoring environment as objects that can be manipulated and blended into the overall design of a Flash file with text, images, and interactivity. It is also easier than ever to encode video into the FLV file format and attach either pre-designed or customized control bars to each movie.
The greatest advantage of the Flash Video format is the wide prevelance of the Flash Player on many computer platforms for many web browsers. For more information about the Flash Player penetration, visit this page at Adobe...
In April of 2007, Adobe announced at the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) trade show the release of a new computer desktop player for both video and interactive experiences. The software player is called the Adobe Media Player and is intended to combine the best of video streaming and downloads with layers of interactivity available through Flash authoring.
For a longer discussion about the Flash architecture, see the page within this MODwiki entitled ...Flash Video (On2 VP6) Architecture & Compressions
[edit] ...considering MPEG-4
It is no surprise that industry players actively engaged in the research and development of digital media architectures and file formats aggressively promote their proprietary technologies, encouraging content providers and end-users to embrace their tools and players. Like most private and public sector entities, the University’s various departments each subscribe to different technologies, depending on their needs and their support and maintenance resources.
Because we are witnessing the emergence and wide adoption of the MPEG-4 standardized, non-proprietary media architecture across multiple profiles and consumption points of the New Media Ecosystem, there is an opportunity for the University to promote common methods of content preparation and distribution. The tools and best practices for exploiting the MPEG-4 architecture are either already in place or emerging quickly.
Since many existing installations of servers and media players have been updated to accommodate the MPEG-4 media architecture, adoption of a system-wide standard does not necessarily demand the purchase and implementation of new equipment.
[edit] ...in General
In general, if some consistency is not promoted throughout the delivery of digital media through networks and the Internet, the threat to the University will be a proliferation of files and formats that cannot be played, cannot be shared, and (where appropriate) cannot be re-purposed. None of these conditions are acceptable within an academic institution (except where information must be protected for financial, privacy, patent, copyright, unpublished research, security or other similar circumstances).
As far as determining Web Browser Playback Compatibilities, there is no single method available to site designers and media distributors to assist end users in selecting and displaying time-based media files, such as digital video and audio. Consequently, we see variations in the self determination and auto detection routines and procedures used to authenticate media architecture plug-ins and connection speeds to the Internet. As long as multiple media players are employed across the University of Utah, the situation is not likely to change.
[edit] Resources
- University of Utah Media On Demand Universal Media Player Detection
- ...for combination of players
- http://services.tacc.utah.edu/mphc/
- ...for QuickTime only
- ...for Windows Media only
- ...for Real Player only
- ...for Flash Player only
- Other Detection Options for Compatibilities
- University of Utah J. Willard Marriott Multimedia Center
- TACC Center, J. Willard Marriott Library--detection for multiple media architectures
- QuickTime
- Windows Media
- Real
- Flash
- Download Player and/or Web Browser plug-in
- QuickTime Player (cross platform)
- http://www.apple.com/quicktime
- Flip4Mac plug-in to play Windows Media files with QuickTime in Mac OS
- Windows Media Player (Windows OS only)
- http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/player/11/default.aspx
- Flip4Mac plug-in to play Windows Media files with QuickTime in Mac OS
- Microsoft Silverlight (cross platform)
- Real Media Player (cross platform)
- for Mac OS X-- https://order.real.com/pt/order.html?country=US&language=EN&mppi=0&mppos_list=0&mpst=0&ppath=cpmacpl060204a&pageregion=player_button&pcode=rn&opage=realhome_spmac_bb&src=realhome_spmac_bb_0_1_1_0_0_2_0
- for Windows--http://www.real.com/realsuperpass.html?pageid=broadBandHomePage_Test&pageregion=div1&src=realhome_bb_1_3_1_0_0_1_0&pcode=rn&opage=realhome_bb
- Adobe Flash Player (cross platform)
- VideoLAN - VLC Media Player (cross platform)
- Chart identifying expected data rates for various Internet connections and delivery channels...
- http://stream.uen.org/medsol/digvid/html/2A_pipelinechart.html .
- McAfee's Internet Connection Speedometer test...
- http://us.mcafee.com/root/genericURL_genericLeftNav.asp?genericURL=/root/speedometer/test_3000.asp&genericLeftNav=/en-us/wrapper/catalog_nav.asp
- Differences between files that are downloaded and those that are streamed...
- http://stream.uen.org/medsol/digvid/html/4C_streamingprotocol.html
- Chart outlining the key differences between streaming protocols...
- http://stream.uen.org/medsol/digvid/html/4C_streamingprotocol1.html
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