Audio and video playback
As of 5.4, we have introduced the ability to playback supported media files. When a user uploads a media file, the newly uploaded media file will be added to a transcoding (conversion) queue, and the following options will be available to the user:
- The original quality/size
- 1080p
- 720p
- 480p
- 240p
All video types supported by HTML5 and MP4 are supported, with playback controls and users can switch to full-screen and picture-in-picture display.
Additional information
The system supports adaptive bit rate, which means that if a device is viewing the media content and the bandwidth is poor, a lower bitrate version of the file can be played. Additionally, the system uses HTML5 playback technology, meaning the media types supported by HTML5 video playback are supported.
When clicking a media file, the system opens the media file in a new HTML5 viewer and displays the metadata for the media file in the right-hand side panel.
The end-user can use the video playback slider to move within the video. Other playback features are also supported in the video playback, such as changing the quality of the video, etc.
If the media file is still awaiting conversion, the user will get a message that the media file is being converted and will be available for playback once it has been converted. Until then, the user can download the file for playback.
Media conversion reporting
The system reporting interface displays the status of the media conversation.
A system admin can find out what media files are successfully converted, the files that are in progress, which files are awaiting conversation, and which files have failed the conversion. The Media report can be found in the system reporting interface, via System reports > Media status report:
The Media status report screen will be displayed:
And will detail any reports available to you.
Please note that if a media file fails conversation, the system will try 3 times to convert it. After it has failed 3 times, it is marked as a permanent fail. A system admin can add the file back for conversion processing once it has failed.
Migration
Please note that in 5.4, we do not intend to plan an automatic conversion of existing media files, but these will be done on demand. For example, when a user clicks on a media file, it will be converted and playback will become available.
Limitations
There are some limitations to this functionality, that we have detailed below, to ensure you have a good experience when using media playback.
- We are not currently using a video player when it comes to shared items
- Old versions of media files will not be playable in Collaborate
- Audio files will be played in the normal HTML player
- Bitrate affects the conversion of higher-resolution files
- The maximum number of files that can be processed concurrently is 5
- Some files may automatically play in their original file resolution
- Files cannot be played during the conversion process
List of supported browsers and their compatibility
| Browser |
Video Playback |
ABR-Adaptive Bit Rate Support |
Seeking |
Notes |
| Chrome |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
| Firefox |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
| Internet Explorer |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
| Edge |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
| Mac Safari |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
macOS Safari supports native HLS playback only; it does not display the ABR option but internally manages quality according to internet bandwidth |
| iOS Safari* |
No |
No |
No |
|
| Android Chrome |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
* Video playback is not supported on any browser or app on iOS devices.
List of supported video formats
- mp4
- mkv
- mov
- mpg
- wmv
- flv
- avi
- 3gp
- m4v
- mpeg
- webm
- wtv
- vob
- ogv
- mxf
- hevc
- asf
- f4v
- mjpeg
- ts
- mts
- m2ts
