HTML5 can only be a limited substitute for Adobe's technology, says Google.Google and its YouTube service has long been advocated for more use of open Web standards and less use of plug-based technologies like Flash.
But in a blog post writes YouRube developer John Harding this week that it is not so easy to replace Flash, even though all the latest browsers will soon support video based on the HTML5 and H.264 or WebM. The reason for this is the need for functionality that HTML5 and related technologies are unable to deliver today.
Harding writes that YouTube in the future will not only offer small video clips, but also - to a greater extent than today - will offer the entire feature films and live broadcasts.
In such cases it is important to have precise control over the use of buffers and dynamic quality control.
- HTML5 standard itself does not include protocols for video streaming, but a number of suppliers and organizations working to improve the experience of the video live over HTTP, writes Harding, who also says that Google will now contribute to these projects and that the company hopes to see that there is a single standard out of this.
Other areas such as Flash provides solutions that are not possible or appropriate to HTML5 is the integration of external websites without VCR functionality disappears, complete support for full screen video playback, content protection and the ability users today have to upload video and audio from a webcam and a microphone.
Some of this starts to come into place in some browsers, and also in the draft of web standards, but it is still far ahead before supporting this becomes widespread.
- While HTML5s video support enables us to offer the best of Youtube content and functionality to computers and other devices that do not support Flash Player, it does not cover all our needs. Today, Adobe Flash is the best platform for YouTube's requirements for video distribution, which is why our primary video player based on this, "says Harding.
