Hello,
How do I play a DVD from a website? I am starting with zero knowledge
of media but have HTML Experience.

I found out that Windows Media Player won't play the DVD. Do I suggest
everyone download Real Player for free? or can I put a realplayer plug
in on the server? Is it possible to check if they have DVD playing
software and use that. The below mentioned is all I have and of course
it is not working, that is why I am here.

This is in the Head:

function openPlayer()
{
WinMPlayer.URL= "Myplaylist.wpl"
}
</script>

This is in the body:
<OBJECT ID="WinMPlayer"
CLASSID="CLSID:6BF52A52-394A-11d3-B153-00C04F79FAA6">
<PARAM name="autoStart" value="True">
</OBJECT>
<input type=button value="Play" onclick="openPlayer()">

Thanks in advance.
idontknow

mcfarlandorama@gmail.com wrote:[color=blue]
> Hello,
> How do I play a DVD from a website? I am starting with zero knowledge
> of media but have HTML Experience.[/color]

A browser will only do something with content that it understands. If
it doesn't know what to do with content, it will either give an error,
download it and just leave it on your HDD or or do nothing.

There are two ways to play video in a browser:

1. provide a link to a file e.g. an mpg, mov, wmf or similar. If
the browser knows what to do with the file (either display it
itself or use a plugin) it will do it - otherwise, it will
probably just download the file to your HDD and let you deal
with it.

2. provide a link to a data stream. If the browser doesn't know
what to do with it, it will show an error and some default
"I can't show the content" image.

In both cases, the browser must understand the data format to know what
to do with it. You need an application that takes the data stream from
your DVD player and converts it to something that can be delivered to a
browser.

Which means that in order for people to watch your video content, you
must convert it to either a stand alone file that can be downloaded as
in 1. above, or a data stream (which will require a streaming server) as
in 2.

[color=blue]
> I found out that Windows Media Player won't play the DVD. Do I suggest[/color]

I don't think there are any DVD players that will stream DVD content
over the web. I'm pretty sure sharing commercial DVDs like that is not
permissible because it's in breach of copyright - and probably the DCMA
and a zillion anti-terrorism laws. :-)

[color=blue]
> everyone download Real Player for free?[/color]

That won't make any difference unless you intend serving .rm files (or
whatever Real use for file extensions lately).

[color=blue]
> or can I put a realplayer plug in on the server?[/color]

Yes, but is your content in the right format? Do you have permission to
stream it? Is it any better/cheaper than streaming servers that use WMF
or QuickTime formats?

[color=blue]
> Is it possible to check if they have DVD playing
> software and use that.[/color]

It's possible to check, but it won't do you any good. DVD players
expect the DVD to be in a drive physically connected to the machine.

[...]



--
Zif

mcfarlandorama@gmail.com wrote:[color=blue]
> How do I play a DVD from a website? I am starting with zero knowledge
> of media but have HTML Experience.[/color]

You can't play a DVD, since a DVD is a physical disc that needs to be
played from a DVD drive. I'm going to assume you've ripped the video
off the DVD (and that you have permission to do so) and it is now saved
in some file format, suitable for distributing over the internet.
[color=blue]
> I found out that Windows Media Player won't play the DVD. Do I suggest
> everyone download Real Player for free?[/color]

No, the best thing to do is publish the video in a widely supported
format, such as MPEG and include it like this.

<object type="video/mpeg" data="movie.mpg" height="360" width="640">
<p>Download <a href="movie.mpg">Movie title</a>.</p>
</object>

Some browsers may not be able to play it within the browser window, but
the link will allow the user to download the video and watch it
[color=blue]
> or can I put a realplayer plug in on the server?[/color]

No, that's client side software, it can't be used from the server and
you should let the user use whatever video software they choose.
[color=blue]
> Is it possible to check if they have DVD playing
> software and use that.[/color]

You don't need to. You just need to tell the browser what type of file
it is using the MIME type and let it launch the correct application for
the user. Don't write code to sniff for specific software, it's a waste
of time.

--
Lachlan Hunt
http://lachy.id.au/
http://GetFirefox.com/ Rediscover the Web
http://GetThunderbird.com/ Reclaim your Inbox

Lachlan Hunt wrote:[color=blue]
> mcfarlandorama@gmail.com wrote:[color=green]
> > How do I play a DVD from a website? I am starting with zero knowledge
> > of media but have HTML Experience.[/color]
>
> You can't play a DVD, since a DVD is a physical disc that needs to be
> played from a DVD drive. I'm going to assume you've ripped the video
> off the DVD (and that you have permission to do so) and it is now saved
> in some file format, suitable for distributing over the internet.
>[color=green]
> > I found out that Windows Media Player won't play the DVD. Do I suggest
> > everyone download Real Player for free?[/color]
>
> No, the best thing to do is publish the video in a widely supported
> format, such as MPEG and include it like this.
>
> <object type="video/mpeg" data="movie.mpg" height="360" width="640">
> <p>Download <a href="movie.mpg">Movie title</a>.</p>
> </object>
>
> Some browsers may not be able to play it within the browser window, but
> the link will allow the user to download the video and watch it
>[color=green]
> > or can I put a realplayer plug in on the server?[/color]
>
> No, that's client side software, it can't be used from the server and
> you should let the user use whatever video software they choose.
>[color=green]
> > Is it possible to check if they have DVD playing
> > software and use that.[/color]
>
> You don't need to. You just need to tell the browser what type of file
> it is using the MIME type and let it launch the correct application for
> the user. Don't write code to sniff for specific software, it's a waste
> of time.
>
> --
> Lachlan Hunt
> http://lachy.id.au/
> http://GetFirefox.com/ Rediscover the Web
> http://GetThunderbird.com/ Reclaim your Inbox[/color]

Thanks for the help!

Thanks for the help!