How do I activate HTML5 to watch Youtube videos WITHOUT using Flash ?

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Level 4

3,698 points

How do I activate HTML5 to watch Youtube videos WITHOUT using Flash ?

How do I activate HTML5 to watch Youtube video's WITHOUT using Flash ?

I have tried to find an answer but am unable to.

I would prefer NOT to need to download and/or use Flash as I have read and heard that this can create security concerns on my mac.

I am ABLE to play the same videos on my iPad though ( I know the iPad does not have Flash )

When I try to play the videos on my mac I get a message stating:

But on my iPad, I AM able to play the SAME video.

Posted on May 31, 2012 4:44 PM

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Answer 1

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,547 points

May 31, 2012 5:33 PM in response to b j t

Try the ClickToPlugin Safari extension. It can be configured to load HTML5 content in preference to Flash when both are available. It usually works on YouTube.

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Answer 2

K.S.

Level 4

3,700 points

Jun 2, 2012 11:09 AM in response to b j t

Go to http://www.youtube.com/html5 and at the bottom, click "Join the HTML 5 Trail" down at the bottom. (Cookies must be enabled.) You should then be able to watch YouTube videos at the YouTube site, if they don't have ads, etc., etc. If they have ads, you need Flash to see them: it's explained on the linked page. On other sites, unless the HTML5 YouTube videos are embedded correctly, they won't play and/or will ask for Flash .

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Answer 3

b j t Author

Level 4

3,698 points

Jun 3, 2012 11:02 AM in response to Linc Davis

Linc Davis wrote:

Try the ClickToPlugin Safari extension. It can be configured to load HTML5 content in preference to Flash when both are available. It usually works on YouTube.

I am unable to find this extension at the moment.

Will I need to have Flash installed to make this Safari extension work ?

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Answer 4

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,547 points

Jun 3, 2012 11:13 AM in response to b j t

I am unable to find this extension at the moment.

Try a web search for the name.

Will I need to have Flash installed to make this Safari extension work ?

I don't think so, but I haven't tested that configuration.

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Answer 5

b j t Author

Level 4

3,698 points

Jun 3, 2012 11:14 AM in response to K.S.

K.S. wrote:

Go to http://www.youtube.com/html5 and at the bottom, click "Join the HTML 5 Trail" down at the bottom. (Cookies must be enabled.) You should then be able to watch YouTube videos at the YouTube site, if they don't have ads, etc., etc. If they have ads, you need Flash to see them: it's explained on the linked page. On other sites, unless the HTML5 YouTube videos are embedded correctly, they won't play and/or will ask for Flash .

I have joined the HTML5 trial, a small amount of videos will now play, they do not have any audio though.

Might be easier to just download and use Flash instead of trying to jump through hoops trying to get something else to work, when I know Flash will work.

I just don't want to make my mac vulnerable to anything 'Malicious' that may use a weakness in the Flash Code.

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Answer 6

Jun 3, 2012 2:06 PM in response to b j t

As others have metnioned, download the ClickToFlash extention. It's like the 12th item on the extensions page: https://extensions.apple.com/

The added benefit is that you have lower CPU usage and no video ads with CTF vs. YT HTML5 trial mode. It's possible that CTF won't work without flash, but with CTF installed none of the flash elements will be invoked until you click on them, so it should be safe enough. As long as you keep flash updated (enable autoupdate in system prefences) you should be safe and secure.

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