What does the YouTube HTML5 page do?

[Stephen Tashi]

What does the YouTube page https://www.youtube.com/html5 do for people?

Is it just information?

Does it configure something on YouTube itself that recognizes a given computer or browser and causes YouTube to uses html5 playback when that computer or browser visits YouTube? (If so, does this work if a person doesn't log-on to a YouTube account ?)

Does the page alter something on the users machine or browser so that the machine or browser uses html5 playback when it accesses YouTube?

That page on YouTube is often suggested to people who are having problems viewing YouTube videos with various browsers. But I have yet to see an explanation of what that page does - if anything.

 

[jedishrfu]

With the problems that adobe flash has had, the HTML5 standard has been pushed as a means for a more common user experience across all browsers. In order to prevent illegal downloads of content, web sites go to great extent to protect their video content causing problems depending on the browser used. HTML5 is supposed to address those issues in cleaner and more standard way.

One such notable example, is the lack of support for adobe flash in iOS devices. Steve Jobs refused to support it citing its many vulnerabilities and instead pushed for HTML5.

Here are some of the features of HTLM5:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HTML5

 

[Stephen Tashi]

With the problems that adobe flash has had, the HTML5 standard has been pushed as a means for a more common user experience across all browsers.

Ok, but my question isn't "What is HTML5 ?". My question is what does that particular page on YouTube do?

 

[Mark44]

Ok, but my question isn't "What is HTML5 ?". My question is what does that particular page on YouTube do?

I just looked at the page you linked to. Apparently it checks whatever browser you're using and informs you of the HTML5 features that your browser supports. I'm using IE 11. According to the page in the link, my browser supports HTMLVideoElement and H.264 video codec, but doesn't support the other features listed on that page.

 

[Stephen Tashi]

I just looked at the page you linked to. Apparently it checks whatever browser you're using and informs you of the HTML5 features that your browser supports.

When I look at that page, it has a button that toggles between "Request the HTML5 player" and "Use the default player". What does using that button do ?

 

[Greg Bernhardt]

When I look at that page, it has a button that toggles between "Request the HTML5 player" and "Use the default player". What does using that button do ?

What browser are you using?

 

[Stephen Tashi]

What browser are you using?

Right now, Firefox. I also see that button when I use Midori. Perhaps, I should call it a "rectangle" instead of a button. It functions like a toggle button. It's just above the text "Supported Browsers".

 

[Greg Bernhardt]

Right now, Firefox. I also see that button when I use Midori. Perhaps, I should call it a "rectangle" instead of a button. It functions like a toggle button. It's just above the text "Supported Browsers".

Hmm I'm using the latest FF and I don't see any button, just the list of "What does this browser support?". Can you take a screenshot?

 

[Stephen Tashi]

Hmm I'm using the latest FF and I don't see any button, just the list of "What does this browser support?". Can you take a screenshot?

I'll try - but that will be entering new territory for me !

 

[Stephen Tashi]

This is the part of the page where the blue rectangle is shown:

 

[Greg Bernhardt]

This is the part of the page where the blue rectangle is shown:

Are you using the latest version of FF?

 

[Stephen Tashi]

Are you using the latest version of FF?

No.

I see the blue rectangle on this computer with Firefox 38.0.1. I just looked at the page using another computer with Firefox 48.0.1 and I don't see the blue rectangle.

 

[vela]

When I look at that page, it has a button that toggles between "Request the HTML5 player" and "Use the default player". What does using that button do ?

If you opt for using the HTML5 player, YouTube videos will be served up using HTML5 instead of Flash when possible. You can always return to the page an opt out later.

I'm pretty sure the setting is browser-specific. In the past, I never logged into YouTube, and opting in still worked. The setting is probably just saved to a browser cookie.