Quicktime HTML Embed Seems Globally Broken

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Level 1

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Quicktime HTML Embed Seems Globally Broken

Hi! I've been using the embed html tag to post Quicktime videos for a long while now at work, but as of the last couple weeks (late November 2014) they have inexplicably all been broken. This includes embedded videos for numerous sites made years ago up through a couple weeks ago. The change seems to have happened suddenly. Looking around the internet, it seems as though it's not just my pages, but every example video I'm able to find on tutorial or test sites is broken as well. They all just display a gray box with a puzzle piece and the message "No plug-in available to display this content." message. I'm using a fairly current MacBook Pro with Yosemite installed; but I've checked it on another iMac using an older OSX versions and all have the same issue. If you do a Google search for "Quicktime Embed Test" none of the links that use a basic embed tag seem to be working, for instance. Same issue in Chrome or Safari. Was their a major change in Quicktime recently that would be causing this error? Any ideas on how to fix this problem? Thanks!

Quicktime

Posted on Nov 26, 2014 12:06 AM

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Answer 1

Nov 26, 2014 4:07 AM in response to lustforbeer

The embed tag was been replaced years ago by more modern javascript code. Probably as much as ten years ago.

Give us a URL so we can test your page for errors.

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Answer 2

lustforbeer Author

Level 1

0 points

Nov 26, 2014 10:44 AM in response to QuickTimeKirk

Hi! Here's a link to the standard way I've been doing it for a few years, which is output from PhaseOne's software (standard embed tag setup as you can see). http://goo.gl/N7XQRt

Again, everything was working totally fine until a couple weeks ago (I had just built a site then with all the same parameters which worked fine). After further checking, doesn't seem to affect every Mac, but I can't figure out what might be the unifying factor for which can and can't see embedded videos. Some people I contacted to double check can see that video and play it just fine. But a number of the computers I checked on have the same issue across the web. Of possible note, the files themselves play absolutely fine on all the computers, it's only via the Quicktime browser plug-in that seems to be broken. Thanks for your help!

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Answer 3

Nov 26, 2014 10:56 AM in response to lustforbeer

Your page code uses javascript and the more modern object/embed tag instead of what you called "embed" tag code. It looks OK to me.

http://www.eastsidestudiosla.com/quicktimetest/source/image/mvi_1129.mov

But I can't get more than a few seconds of the video to load and can't figure out a reason unless it's caused by your server.

On a second attempt the video did play correctly but is still very slow to load.

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Answer 4

lustforbeer Author

Level 1

0 points

Nov 26, 2014 11:04 AM in response to lustforbeer

The video itself is only a couple seconds (7 I think?) long, but it's likely just the server could just be slow as well. I poked at the code and I see what you're saying - I had missed the JS part and just seen the other embed tags just below it.

What would you suggest as a next solution? Maybe just take my computer to the Apple Store and show them the issue. Could it possibly be a messed up Quicktime plug-in install? Thanks for looking at this!

Eron

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Answer 5

Nov 26, 2014 11:15 AM in response to lustforbeer

I would ask some questions to your server about your bandwidth and download speeds.

It could also be something on my end and we just got some snow and rain which sometimes messes with my buried DSL line.

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Answer 6

lustforbeer Author

Level 1

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Nov 26, 2014 11:18 AM in response to QuickTimeKirk

It's still strange the all I get is a grey box with a puzzle piece - I can talk to the server guys later, but for now I need to figure out why the Quicktime plugin seems broken on some computers (and the break seems to exist on other sites/servers not just this one). Thanks!

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Answer 7

Nov 26, 2014 11:21 AM in response to lustforbeer

What browser are you using?

Have you tried with others?

Are plug-ins "enabled" in your browser settings?

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Answer 8

lustforbeer Author

Level 1

0 points

Nov 26, 2014 12:21 PM in response to QuickTimeKirk

Now I think we're getting somewhere. I looked at my own computer (which I don't tinker with except for basic Apple updates) and it seems like the Quicktime plugin is just just totally gone missing from both Chrome (39.0.2171.71) and Safari (Version 8.0 (10600.1.25.1)). The version of Quicktime I have is the newest, Version 10.4 (833). Checking in with other users, the magically missing plug-in seems to be the link between all the computers having issues (even with different browser and OSX versions). Something in the past few weeks must have caused that, maybe the 10.4 update (since that's a few weeks old)? Is there a way to manually add Quicktime plug-in to Chrome now that they have made QT part of the OSX bundle? Is there an easy way to reinstall QT? Thanks!

Edit: To specify, these computers with the problem all have had QT installed via the Apple updater. The player exists on the computers just fine, but the plug-in is just plain missing.

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Answer 9

Nov 26, 2014 12:35 PM in response to lustforbeer

Open Safari and look under its Help menu to see what plug-ins are installed on your machine.

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Answer 10

lustforbeer Author

Level 1

0 points

Nov 26, 2014 1:21 PM in response to QuickTimeKirk

So I checked in Safari just now (both computers at home) and the videos are randomly working again. It says it has QuickTime Plug-in 7.7.3 installed (Safari Version 8.0 (10600.1.25.1)). Chrome still has no Quicktime Plugin registered and is still throwing up "No plug-in available to display this content." This is happening on my two computers and another, and they don't even prompt to install Quicktime etc.

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Answer 11

Nov 26, 2014 1:23 PM in response to lustforbeer

https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/2445742?hl=en

You already have it installed and you need to "enable" it.

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Answer 12

lustforbeer Author

Level 1

0 points

Nov 26, 2014 1:27 PM in response to QuickTimeKirk

Hi! In Chrome, there is no Quicktime listed in the Plugins menu. Safari has it, but Chrome does not. Here is the complete list of Chrome plugins:

Widevine Content Decryption Module - Version: 1.4.6.703

Enables Widevine licenses for playback of HTML audio/video content. (version: 1.4.6.703)

Name:

Widevine Content Decryption Module

Description:

Enables Widevine licenses for playback of HTML audio/video content. (version: 1.4.6.703)

Version:

1.4.6.703

Location:

/Users/eronrauch/Library/Application Support/Google/Chrome/WidevineCDM/1.4.6.703/_platform_specific/mac_x64/widevine cdmadapter.plugin

Type:

PPAPI (out-of-process)

Disable

MIME types:

MIME type

Description

File extensions

application/x-ppapi-widevine-cdm

Widevine Content Decryption Module

.

Disable Always allowed

WacomTabletPlugin - Version: WacomTabletPlugin 2.1.0.2

Plugin for Wacom tablets.

Name:

WacomTabletPlugin

Description:

Plugin for Wacom tablets.

Version:

WacomTabletPlugin 2.1.0.2

Location:

/Library/Internet Plug-Ins/WacomTabletPlugin.plugin

Type:

NPAPI

Disable

MIME types:

MIME type

Description

File extensions

application/x-wacomtabletplugin

Plugin for Wacom tablets.

.

Disable Always allowed

Chrome PDF Viewer

Name:

Chrome PDF Viewer

Version:

Location:

/Applications/Google Chrome.app/Contents/Versions/39.0.2171.71/Google Chrome Framework.framework/Internet Plug-Ins/PDF.plugin

Type:

PPAPI (in-process)

Disable

MIME types:

MIME type

Description

File extensions

application/pdf

Portable Document Format

.pdf

application/x-google-chrome-print-preview-pdf

Portable Document Format

.pdf

Disable Always allowed

Chrome Remote Desktop Viewer

This plugin allows you to securely access other computers that have been shared with you. To use this plugin you must first install the Chrome Remote Desktop webapp.

Name:

Chrome Remote Desktop Viewer

Description:

This plugin allows you to securely access other computers that have been shared with you. To use this plugin you must first install the Chrome Remote Desktop webapp.

Version:

Location:

internal-remoting-viewer

Type:

PPAPI (out-of-process)

Disable

MIME types:

MIME type

Description

File extensions

application/vnd.chromium.remoting-viewer

.

Disable Always allowed

Native Client

Name:

Native Client

Version:

Location:

/Applications/Google Chrome.app/Contents/Versions/39.0.2171.71/Google Chrome Framework.framework/Internet Plug-Ins/internal-nacl-plugin

Type:

PPAPI (in-process)

Disable

MIME types:

MIME type

Description

File extensions

application/x-nacl

Native Client Executable

.

application/x-pnacl

Portable Native Client Executable

.

Disable Always allowed

Default Browser Helper - Version: 600

Provides information about the default web browser

Name:

Default Browser Helper

Description:

Provides information about the default web browser

Version:

600

Location:

/Library/Internet Plug-Ins/Default Browser.plugin

Type:

NPAPI

Disable

MIME types:

MIME type	Description	File extensions
application/apple-default-browser	Provides information about the default web browser

Disable Always allowed

Google Talk (2 files) - Version: 5.38.6.0

Name:

Google Talk Plugin

Version:

5.38.6.0

Location:

/Library/Internet Plug-Ins/googletalkbrowserplugin.plugin

Type:

NPAPI

Disable

MIME types:

MIME type

Description

File extensions

application/googletalk

Google voice and video chat

.googletalk

Name:

Google Talk Plugin Video Renderer

Version:

5.38.6.0

Location:

/Library/Internet Plug-Ins/o1dbrowserplugin.plugin

Type:

NPAPI

Disable

MIME types:

MIME type

Description

File extensions

application/o1d

Google Talk Plugin Video Renderer

.o1d

Disable Always allowed

Java(TM) - Version: 15.0.0

Displays Java applet content, or a placeholder if Java is not installed.

Name:

Java Applet Plug-in

Description:

Displays Java applet content, or a placeholder if Java is not installed.

Version:

15.0.0

Location:

/Library/Internet Plug-Ins/JavaAppletPlugin.plugin

Type:

NPAPI

Disable

MIME types:

MIME type

Description

File extensions

application/x-java-applet;version=1.1.3

Java applet

application/x-java-applet

Basic Java Applets

.javaapplet

application/x-java-applet;version=1.2.2

Java applet

application/x-java-applet;version=1.5

Java applet

application/x-java-vm

Java applet

application/x-java-applet;version=1.3.1

Java applet

application/x-java-applet;version=1.3

Java applet

application/x-java-applet;version=1.1.2

Java applet

application/x-java-applet;version=1.1

Java applet

application/x-java-vm-npruntime

Java applet

application/x-java-applet;version=1.2.1

Java applet

application/x-java-applet;jpi-version=1.6.0_65

Java applet

application/x-java-applet;version=1.4.2

Java applet

application/x-java-applet;version=1.6

Java applet

application/x-java-applet;version=1.4

Java applet

application/x-java-applet;version=1.1.1

Java applet

application/x-java-applet;version=1.2

Java applet

Disable Always allowed

Adobe Flash Player (2 files) - Version: 15.0.0.242

Shockwave Flash 15.0 r0

Name:

Shockwave Flash

Description:

Shockwave Flash 15.0 r0

Version:

15.0.0.242

Location:

/Applications/Google Chrome.app/Contents/Versions/39.0.2171.71/Google Chrome Framework.framework/Internet Plug-Ins/PepperFlash/PepperFlashPlayer.plugin

Type:

PPAPI (out-of-process)

Disable

MIME types:

MIME type

Description

File extensions

application/x-shockwave-flash

Shockwave Flash

.swf

application/futuresplash

FutureSplash Player

.spl

Name:

Shockwave Flash

Description:

Shockwave Flash 15.0 r0

Version:

15.0.0.239

Location:

/Library/Internet Plug-Ins/Flash Player.plugin

Type:

NPAPI

Disable

MIME types:

MIME type

Description

File extensions

application/x-shockwave-flash

Shockwave Flash

.swf

application/futuresplash

FutureSplash Player

.spl

Disable Always allowed

Adobe Acrobat NPAPI Plug-in, Version 11.0.09 - Version: 11.0.09

Adobe® Acrobat® Plug-in for Web Browsers, Version 11.0.09

Name:

Adobe Acrobat NPAPI Plug-in, Version 11.0.09

Description:

Adobe® Acrobat® Plug-in for Web Browsers, Version 11.0.09

Version:

11.0.09

Location:

/Library/Internet Plug-Ins/AdobePDFViewerNPAPI.plugin

Type:

NPAPI

Disable

MIME types:

MIME type

Description

File extensions

application/vnd.adobe.pdf

Acrobat Portable Document Format (Interim)

.pdf

application/vnd.adobe.pdfxml

Acrobat XML Portable Document Format

.pdfxml

application/vnd.adobe.x-mars

Acrobat XML Portable Document Format (Interim)

.mars

application/vnd.adobe.xdp+xml

XML Data Package

.xdp

application/vnd.fdf

Acrobat Forms Data Format

.fdf

application/vnd.adobe.xfd+xml

FormFlow99 Data File

.xfd

application/pdf

Acrobat Portable Document Format

.pdf

application/vnd.adobe.xfdf

Acrobat Forms Data Format in XML

.xfdf

Disable Always allowed

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Answer 13

Jon Walker

Level 6

19,489 points

Nov 26, 2014 7:51 PM in response to lustforbeer

Hi! In Chrome, there is no Quicktime listed in the Plugins menu. Safari has it, but Chrome does not.

Whether you use Safari or choose to enable Chrome with the QT plug-in as suggested by QTKirk, you may also wish to re-encode your content for more efficient internet use. Your current file is a 480p59.94 video encode @ almost 12Mbps—a bandwidth capable of easily supporting 1080p30 content. If interested, here is the same file encoded as a 480p30 file @ less than 3Mpbs with little to no loss in visual quality. (Data rate could be lowered to half, a third, or even less of this data rate depending on the level of quality you wish to maintain.)

http://downloads.walker4.me/Temporary_files/mvi_1129.mp4

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Answer 14

lustforbeer Author

Level 1

0 points

Nov 26, 2014 10:51 PM in response to Jon Walker

Jon, thanks for the suggestion. I normally do that, I just didn't run the file through the full Toast setup (I was just being lazy).

As for the issue with Chrome that Kirk has been super awesome in helping me figure out, I've pinned it down to the fact that it seems like the newest release of Chrome (39.0.2171.71 (64-bit)) has decided to, with very little fanfare and a bit earlier than planned, cut off most NPAPI protocols (such as Quicktime embeds, wether through tags or Java) in favor of forthcoming HTML5 standards.

A couple links that talk about the matter, though they aren't all in agreement:

"In September 2015 we will remove the override and NPAPI support will be permanently removed from Chrome. Installed extensions that require NPAPI plugins will no longer be able to load those plugins."

https://sites.google.com/a/chromium.org/dev/developers/npapi-deprecation

"In September 2015, Google will scrap the workarounds and permanently remove NPAPI support from Chrome. NPAPI plugins will simply no longer load, regardless of whether they are needed by websites or extensions."

http://venturebeat.com/2014/11/24/google-chrome-will-block-all-netscape-plugin-a pi-plugins-in-january-drop-support-completely-in-september/

"

End of 2014. NPAPI support in Chrome will be removed entirely (plug-ins using NPAPI will not work)

Chrome alternative to NPAPI: