HTML5 Videoplayer

An HTML5 Video Player is a JavaScript library that builds a custom set of controls over top of the HTML5 video element to provide a consistent look between HTML5 browsers. It is a digital technology that allows broadcasters to share video content with users over the internet. The HTML5 streaming technology was created as a more widely compatible alternative to Adobe’s Flash player. Before HTML5, in order to have a video play on a webpage, you would need to use a plugin like Adobe Flash Player. With the introduction of HTML5, you can place videos directly into the page itself. This makes it possible to have videos play on pages that are designed for mobile devices, as plugins like Adobe Flash Player don’t work on Android or iOS.

The need for a more compatible video player arose when Steve Jobs announced in 2012 that Apple devices would never support Flash players. As of the end of 2020, Flash has been somewhat phased out, making HTML5 the only widely supported video player. The HTML5 video player is supported by all major operating systems and browsers, which means it is supported on pretty much any internet-enabled device imaginable. HTML5 video players use the HTTPS Live Streaming (HLS) protocol to receive content from the video CDN or online video player that is hosting the streaming. HLS was created by Apple specifically for streaming to an HTML5 video player.

Benefits of Streaming with an HTML5 Video Player: