The VideoLAN Forums

Hi
I've been using VLC Chrome Plugin and for some reason, it is not working anymore.
I did update VLC Player to the latest version (2.2.1)
I am using Chrome 42.0.2311.90 m (which shows latest version)

And it shows that "This plug-in is not supported"

It didn't happen before (last time I checked is about 2 weeks ago and worked fine)

Is there any way to solve this problem?

Thank you

This was because of Chrome Update. NPAPI was disabled which did not let plugin to run.

Solved

What is the solution ? If there's something to do with NPAPI, whatever that is, how do I get VLC Media Player to run again under Chrome ?

By the way, I had rolled back VLC Media Player from the latest to 2.1.3 because there was an issue downloading and viewing recorded video files on the fly using Chrome 41.0.2272.118, but now nothing works with Chrome 42.0.2311.90.

Help !

There is not going to be a permanent solution. NPAPI is deprecated and will be phased out of Chrome by December. For the time being you can try to manually reactivate it via the Flags interface (try chrome://flags/#enable-npapi ), but in the long run the only solution will be to use respectively older Chrome versions that still support it. Firefox is in the process of moving away from NPAPI plugins too, by the way.

Firefox is in the process of moving away from NPAPI plugins too, by the way.

Could you please give some proof-link?

It's what I read between the lines in statements like this, concerning their click-to-activate approach:
https://blog.mozilla.org/security/2014/ ... ctivation/

"To provide a better and safer experience on the Web, we have been working to move Firefox away from plugins."
"We strongly encourage site authors to phase out their use of plugins."
" Today, we’re announcing the creation of a TEMPORARY plugin whitelist." (emphasis mine - they don't want to whitelist supported exceptions forever)
"...we are asking for authors to demonstrate a credible plan for moving away from NPAPI-based plugins..."
"Our vision is clear: a powerful and open Web that runs everywhere without the need for special purpose plugins."

See also Chad's response in the comments. Mozilla is showing (to me anyway) a clear intent to get rid of having to support "classic" plugins.

I am not aware of any official plan by Mozilla to disable or remove NPAPI support yet, but they have deprecated it and hidden it behind a click-to-enable. Google on the other hand has made it clear that they would remove NPAPI later this year.

VLC inside Firefox without NPAPI is impossible. Mozilla has suggested using emscripten already (with view to supporting Firefox OS), but we do not believe that pure Web technologies are technically adequate to sustain VLC.

VLC inside Chrome would be theoretically possible using Native Client. But that is a large development effort tha the VideoLAN foundation cannot take care of. A very generous sponsor would be required. Even then I am afraid time is running out: https://www.chromium.org/developers/npapi-deprecation

tl;dr: If you need audio/video playback inside the browser, I can only advise that you start transition to HTML5. In a few months, it will be too late. Better yet, use the VLC or a LibVLC-based application on the desktop.

FYI, I started another project of video player application which is heavily based on libvlc, but could use loadable from web skins (written in QML) and any custom controls. Exactly the same what WebChimra Plugin is but as standalone desktop application. I plan it could be runnable at least by clicking on link inside browsers. Maybe it could be able even shown above the browser window (but don't sure yet). Also I have plans start similar project for mobile devices (will start from android first)... If somebody interested in such tools, please let me know...

There does not seem to be a convenient way to turn off updates in Chrome, so older versions are being automatically replaced by the latest one. Chrome's web site says they update every 6 weeks, and we have users confirming this. Their web site does tell how to stop Chrome updates, but it's way too complicated for most users.

You would not want to block browser updates anyway. That would prevent security and critical fixes from getting deployed.

If your website/service depends on an NPAPI plugin, you really need to change technology now. You have until September.

I saw a reference to December. What happens in September ?

Or wait for a PPAPI plugin to appear

I'm confused about NPAPI. I thought Chrome will stop supporting plugins in Sept. Or is PPAPI something else ? If so, what is it and when can we expect support from both Chrome and VLC Media Player to continue ?

PPAPI is the replacement of NPAPI for Chrome.

Why is it better and when will it be supported in Chrome and other browsers, and in VLC Media Player ?

No, just Chrome.

The question is... does one need to switch to HTML5 to support live H.264 streams, and recorded, H.264/MP4 files, in a browser instead of using VLC Media Player ?

Is Chrome the only one that is discontinuing NPAPI ?

What is your timetable for supporting PPAPI ?

HTML5 might not play all your files.

Thank you for your feedback. I only need to view two video things in a browser: live H.264 http (not rtsp) video-only streams, and an endless series of short, H.264/MP4 video-only files (the latter has broken in the latest versions of VLC Media Player by the way). Can those two things be done in HTML5 ? Alternatively, is there another VLC plugin that Chrome supports, and will continue to support, that can handle those two things ?