MediaElement.js

MediaElement.js

MediaElement.js is an open-source JavaScript library that allows you to easily implement rich media on your website, including native HTML5 media playback, captions, subtitles, and more. It provides a uniform API for media elements across browsers and supports older browsers with
MediaElement.js image
javascript html5 media video audio player playback captions subtitles

MediaElement.js: Rich Media Playback

Open-source JavaScript library for native HTML5 media playback, captions, subtitles, and more, with fallback support for older browsers.

What is MediaElement.js?

MediaElement.js is an open-source JavaScript library that helps websites implement rich media and HTML5 video/audio playback across all major browsers, including older browsers that do not natively support modern media elements.

Features of MediaElement.js include:

  • Unified API for HTML5 video and audio elements across browsers for consistent JavaScript access
  • Fallback support for older browsers like IE8 and IE9 using Flash or Silverlight plugins
  • Customizable media player UIs with default skin provided
  • Subtitles and closed captions support including WebVTT and TTML formats
  • HLS, M(PEG)-DASH, and RTMP adaptive streaming protocols supported
  • Support for playback rates, volume control, seeking, and more via JavaScript API
  • Lightweight library with no external CSS or Flash SWF assets required
  • Free and open source (released under MIT license)

MediaElement.js allows developers to freely implement HTML5 video and audio into websites with a unified API for all browsers. It eliminates cross-browser compatibility concerns and reduces development time.

MediaElement.js Features

Features

  1. HTML5 video and audio player
  2. Flash and Silverlight fallback for older browsers
  3. Consistent API across browsers
  4. Skinnable UI with CSS
  5. Support for subtitles and captions
  6. Fullscreen and picture-in-picture support
  7. Responsive and accessible
  8. Customizable controls
  9. Plays HLS, M(PEG)-DASH and RTMP streams
  10. Ads, analytics and tracking

Pricing

  • Open Source

Pros

Lightweight

Open source

Cross-browser compatibility

Easy to implement

Customizable

Good documentation

Cons

Less flexible than building custom player

Limited native browser controls

Can be difficult to style

Not as full-featured as some commercial players


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