Video canPlayType() Method

❮ Video Object

Example

Check if your browser can play different types of video:

var x = document.createElement("VIDEO");
isSupp = x.canPlayType(vidType+';codecs="'+codType+'"');
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Description

The canPlayType() method checks if the browser can play the specified video type.

The canPlayType() method can return one of the following values:

  • "probably" - the browser most likely supports this video type
  • "maybe" - the browser might support this video type
  • "" - (empty string) the browser does not support this video type

Browser Support

Method
canPlayType() Yes 9.0 Yes Yes Yes

Syntax

videoObject.canPlayType(type)

Parameter Values

Value Description
type Specifies the video type (and optional codecs) to test support for.

Common values:

  • video/ogg
  • video/mp4
  • video/webm

Common values, including codecs:

  • video/ogg; codecs="theora, vorbis"
  • video/mp4; codecs="avc1.4D401E, mp4a.40.2"
  • video/webm; codecs="vp8.0, vorbis"

Note: This method can only return "probably" if codecs are included.

Technical Details

Return Value: A String, representing the level of support. Possible return values:
  • "probably" - most likely support
  • "maybe" - might support
  • "" - (empty string) no support
❮ Video Object
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