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YouTube Begins Using HTML5 Instead of Flash for Default Video Playback

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Apr 12, 2001
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YouTube yesterday announced it has begun using HTML5 video by default for all playback on its website, marking a substantial step in its gradual move away from Flash. The company states the new default will work in most popular web browsers including Safari.

Richard Leider, Engineering Manager for YouTube, reiterated on the adaptability of HTML5 over Flash and the use of the former's capabilities beyond a simple web browser. With YouTube's extension to devices like gaming consoles, and even the Apple TV, the benefits of dropping Flash became far more apparent over the years.
Over the last four years, we've worked with browser vendors and the broader community to close those gaps, and now, YouTube uses HTML5 by default in Chrome, IE 11, Safari 8 and in beta versions of Firefox.

The benefits of HTML5 extend beyond web browsers, and it's now also used in smart TVs and other streaming devices.
Click to expand...
The new shift to HTML5 will allow better video streaming in adjustment to shifting network conditions, quicker video playback, easier access to 60 FPS HD and 4K content, with updates to encrypted media extensions that will allow the service to overall be "faster and smoother."

Despite having long dominated web video and other interactive content, Flash has been under fire for years over performance and security issues. Back in 2010, Steve Jobs famously wrote an open letter, his "Thoughts on Flash," to address the ongoing controversy over Apple's refusal to support Flash on its iOS devices. After summing up a series of shortcoming of Flash, Jobs end his letter by suggesting "Adobe should focus more on creating great HTML5 tools for the future, and less on criticizing Apple for leaving the past behind."


Article Link: YouTube Begins Using HTML5 Instead of Flash for Default Video Playback
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2015/01/28/youtube-html5-default/
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2457282

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I abandoned Youtube over this since I refused to let flash near any of my computers. I will now see if I am even interested in youtube. Still nice to see google finally catching up to modern times.
 
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elmateo487

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Jun 12, 2008
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Cuban Missles said:
I abandoned Youtube over this since I refused to let flash near any of my computers. I will now see if I am even interested in youtube. Still nice to see google finally catching up to modern times.
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Lol. You could have just done the html5 demo and set your account to play everything in html5. Like... Years ago
 
redheeler

redheeler

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Oct 17, 2014
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Cuban Missles said:
I abandoned Youtube over this since I refused to let flash near any of my computers. I will now see if I am even interested in youtube. Still nice to see google finally catching up to modern times.
Click to expand...

I've been using HTML5 instead of Flash on YouTube for about three years now.
 
jayducharme

jayducharme

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Jun 22, 2006
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It's about time! I didn't bother installing Flash on my new Mac Pro, and I haven't missed it at all. And if YouTube has taken this step, hopefully other sites will follow suit. After all, with Internet traffic increasingly coming from mobile devices, Flash (and any site coded with it) is now pretty much useless.

The only site I miss is homestarrunner, and I don't think the Brothers Chaps are going to re-code that entire site any time soon.
 
kalsta

kalsta

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May 17, 2010
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So that announcement only mentions the VP9 video codec, which I didn't think Safari supported. Has that changed? They do say 'YouTube uses HTML5 <video> by default in … Safari 8'.

I haven't kept up with the latest on HTML5 video and the battle of competing formats. Previously it seemed like Apple and Microsoft were pushing for H.264.
 
Kabeyun

Kabeyun

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Mar 27, 2004
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Say what you want about Steve Jobs, he was a technology soothsayer. Not only did he predict the demise of the floppy, the optical drive, and Flash in home computing, he doubled down by removing these media from Apple's computers. iMac had no floppy drive in 1998, and MacBooks and Mac Minis lost optical in 2011. Remember the outcriers? What day they now, I wonder.

He knew what we wanted, but just as important he knew what we wouldn't need because it would soon be irrelevant.
 
GSPice

GSPice

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Nov 24, 2008
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Cuban Missles said:
I abandoned Youtube over this since I refused to let flash near any of my computers. I will now see if I am even interested in youtube. Still nice to see google finally catching up to modern times.
Click to expand...

Bro do you even html5 demo?
 
smithrh

smithrh

macrumors 68030
Feb 28, 2009
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miknos said:
Using Youtube5 for a long time:
http://www.verticalforest.com/youtube5-extension/

Plays the mp4 file instead of the nasty flash. Smooth playback, no crap audio and you can easily download the video. You can choose the default video quality (360p, 720p, 1080…)
Click to expand...

You saw 1080p HTML5 with this? I never did with any of the blockers... At least not after YouTube started segregating 1080p files differently a while ago (8-9 months+?)...

A non-issue now. The YouTube HTML5 player offers it up no problem, including the 60fps versions, when they've been uploaded that way.
 
Agent OrangeZ

Agent OrangeZ

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Mar 17, 2010
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Cuban Missles said:
I abandoned Youtube over this since I refused to let flash near any of my computers. I will now see if I am even interested in youtube. Still nice to see google finally catching up to modern times.
Click to expand...

I find it hard to believe that you really "abandoned Youtube" over flash. The most popular video sharing site in the world... and you didn't once consume any of it's content because of Flash......... RIIIIIGHT.
 
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unplugme71

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May 20, 2011
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iMerik said:
Remember the outcry when Steve made this announcement and how the competition thought advertising their product's support of Flash would be a winning strategy? You have to love Apple's ability to change the momentum and direction of an entire industry. That is such an impressive quality.
Click to expand...

If you aren't leading or following the leaders in the pack, you will fall behind and become forgotten.
 
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