Develop Reference

How to add subtitles to VideoView?

I am wondering how to successfully add subtitles to VideoView. I do not know how to do it. I do not know how to use addSubtitleSource, addTimedTextSource methods properly and if they are correct.
Android documentation says that addTimedTextSource is used only with MediaPlayer (which VideoView isn't) but there are some information about track i.e. getTrackInfo and others. I do not know where to start. There are some solutions in the internet but I do not understand those code snippets and I think they do not give an easy solutions.
Does anybody can help me?
Let's have a simple VideoView with video attached. What's next?
#Override
protected void onCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState) {
super.onCreate(savedInstanceState);
setContentView(R.layout.activity_video);
videoView = findViewById(R.id.video_view1);
MediaController mMedia = new MediaController(this);
mMedia.setMediaPlayer(videoView);
mMedia.setAnchorView(videoView);
videoView.setMediaController(mMedia);
String path1 = VIDEO_URL;
Uri uri = Uri.parse(path1);
videoView.setVideoURI(uri);
videoView.start();
}
EDIT:
I've added the listener to VideoView and then OnTimedTextListener to MediaPlayer mp. Is this MediaPlayer mp attached to my VideoView? Is this the correct way to create MediaPlayer which will correspond with the VideoView?
videoView.setOnPreparedListener(new MediaPlayer.OnPreparedListener() {
#Override
public void onPrepared(MediaPlayer mp) {
try {
mp.addTimedTextSource("android.resource://"+getPackageName()+"/"+ R.raw.sub,MediaPlayer.MEDIA_MIMETYPE_TEXT_SUBRIP);
} catch (IOException e) {
e.printStackTrace();
}
mp.setOnTimedTextListener(new MediaPlayer.OnTimedTextListener() {
#Override
public void onTimedText(MediaPlayer mp, TimedText text) {
text.getBounds();
text.getText();
}
});
I do not know how to use getBounds() and getText() methods.
EDIT 2:
Now I have made something like this...
videoView.setOnPreparedListener(new MediaPlayer.OnPreparedListener() {
#Override
public void onPrepared(MediaPlayer mp) {
try {
mp.addTimedTextSource("android.resource://" + getPackageName() + "/"+R.raw.sub,
MediaPlayer.MEDIA_MIMETYPE_TEXT_SUBRIP);
} catch (IOException e) {
e.printStackTrace();
}
mp.selectTrack(2);
mp.setOnTimedTextListener(new MediaPlayer.OnTimedTextListener() {
#Override
public void onTimedText(MediaPlayer mp, TimedText text) {
txtDisplay.setText(text.getText());
}
});
mp.start();
}
});
I put the "android.resource://" + getPackageName() + "/"+R.raw.sub path to the file but it gives me an error E/TaskPersister: File error accessing recents directory (directory doesn't exist?). Later I moved it to the assets folder but the result was the same. What's wrong?
I've added the mp.selectTrack(2); with index = 2 because I read somewhere that this is obligatory and for the videos getTrackInfo returns 2 in most cases.
In the end I thought that txtDisplay.setText() method will be OK. Is it?
Please tell me, is only 1 the issue here or more?

You could use ExoPlayer library for this purpose. Here is a medium post that explains how you could add an SRT subtitle to ExoPlayer tracks.

Android VideoView not playing mp4 files

I have already seen most of the questions here but none of them helps.
Following is Streaming url it works perfectly on VLC and browser but it can't be played in android app.
Here is my code
public class VideoDemo extends Activity {
private VideoView video;
private MediaController ctlr;
#Override
public void onCreate(Bundle icicle) {
super.onCreate(icicle);
getWindow().setFormat(PixelFormat.TRANSLUCENT);
setContentView(R.layout.main);
/* File clip = new File(Environment.getExternalStorageDirectory(),
"90.mp4");*/
/* if (clip.exists()) {*/
video = (VideoView) findViewById(R.id.video);
//video.setVideoPath(clip.getAbsolutePath());
video.setVideoURI(Uri.parse("http://103.50.152.102:9096/LubrizolWebPrj/service/getEnqVideo/90"));
video.requestFocus();
video.setOnPreparedListener(new MediaPlayer.OnPreparedListener() {
#Override
public void onPrepared(MediaPlayer mediaPlayer) {
video.start();
}
});
//}
}
}

MP4 is just a container - the video and audio stream inside it will both be encoded in different formats.
Android natively only supports certain types of formats. There is a list here:
http://developer.android.com/guide/appendix/media-formats.html
Make sure the video and audio encoding type is supported. Just because it says "mp4" doesn't automatically mean it should be playable.
Though if your format is not supported, Try using YoutubeVideoView

How to Set android video width and height

i have issues in android video playing. am geting videos from server and set to videoview but videos is playing in backgroung am not able to see that videos ,please refer my code what i have tried.
XML FILE
<LinearLayout xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
android:layout_width="match_parent"
android:layout_height="match_parent"
android:orientation="vertical" >
<VideoView
android:id="#+id/eventDetailsPage_videosView"
android:layout_width="160dp"
android:layout_height="100dp"
android:layout_marginBottom="16dp"
android:layout_marginLeft="16dp"
android:layout_marginTop="16dp"
android:background="#drawable/ic_eventvideo_image" />
</LinearLayout>
Java Class
Uri uri=Uri.parse(mEventDetailsUtil1.getAttachmentsUrls().get(0).getAttach_url());
VideoView mVideosView = (VideoView) findViewById(R.id.eventDetailsPage_videosView);
MediaController mc = new MediaController(this);
mc.setAnchorView(mVideosView);
mc.setMediaPlayer(mVideosView);
mVideosView.setMediaController(mc);
mVideosView.setVideoURI(uri);
mVideosView.requestFocus();
mVideosView.start();
the video is playing when opening the activity , but i don't want like that i need when i click on VideoView i need to open video full screen.

Try this :
VideoView mVideoview;
mVideoview = (VideoView) findViewById(R.id.VideoView);
mPlayServer = (Button) findViewById(R.id.mServerbutton);
mPlayServer.setOnClickListener(new OnClickListener() {
public void onClick(View v) {
playVideo(SERVER_VIDEO_URL);
}
});
private void playVideo(SERVER_VIDEO_URL)
try {
// Start the MediaController
MediaController mediacontroller = new MediaController(mContext);
mediacontroller.setAnchorView(mVideoview);
// Get the URL from String VideoURL
mVideo = Uri.parse(SERVER_VIDEO_URL);
mVideoview.setMediaController(mediacontroller);
mVideoview.setVideoURI(mVideo);
} catch (Exception e) {
Log.e("Error", e.getMessage());
e.printStackTrace();
}
mVideoview.requestFocus();
mVideoview.setOnPreparedListener(new OnPreparedListener() {
// Close the progress bar and play the video
public void onPrepared(MediaPlayer mp) {
mVideoview.start();
}
});
mVideoview.setOnCompletionListener(new OnCompletionListener() {
// Called when video is completed
public void onCompletion(MediaPlayer mp) {
}
});
}
To show in fullscreen use video view in new xml file with height and width as fill parent and start new activity with Intent.
Hope this helps.

Android does not support the resizing of videos, you may want to look into a Third Party library that you can utilize. By default android does not have this. I got the same problem while applying controls to video player.

Streaming video with videoview

My code below to streaming video:
VideoView vv = (VideoView)this.findViewById(R.id.screen_video);
Uri uri = Uri.parse(URL);
vv.setVideoURI(uri);
vv.start();
It works.
But if the URL video's format not support by android phone or pad.
It show a dialog, and not show the screen.
But it still streaming with black screen.
I want to get the error message, and access as an exception.
But I don't know how to get it?
Another problem is that the streaming may crash cause by low speed wifi.
How to check it to wait while low speed wifi?

try this code,it work,
public class PlayVideo extends Activity
{
private String videoPath ="url";
private static ProgressDialog progressDialog;
String videourl;
VideoView videoView ;
protected void onCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState)
{
super.onCreate(savedInstanceState);
setContentView(R.layout.play_video);
videoView = (VideoView) findViewById(R.id.videoView);
progressDialog = ProgressDialog.show(PlayVideo.this, "", "Buffering video...", true);
progressDialog.setCancelable(true);
PlayVideo();
}
private void PlayVideo()
{
try
{
getWindow().setFormat(PixelFormat.TRANSLUCENT);
MediaController mediaController = new MediaController(PlayVideo.this);
mediaController.setAnchorView(videoView);
Uri video = Uri.parse(videoPath );
videoView.setMediaController(mediaController);
videoView.setVideoURI(video);
videoView.requestFocus();
videoView.setOnPreparedListener(new OnPreparedListener()
{
public void onPrepared(MediaPlayer mp)
{
progressDialog.dismiss();
videoView.start();
}
});
}
catch(Exception e)
{
progressDialog.dismiss();
System.out.println("Video Play Error :"+e.toString());
finish();
}
}
}

It depends on which Android Version you are developing your application on. There are certain devices which do not support running .mp4 file. Go through Android Media support for more information. Check if you can play any .3gp files or not.

You shouldn't play the video instantly. Add OnPrepared listener to the video view and start the video playing after it. With MediaPlayer you could keep track of the buffering state and stop the video for a while when its not yet downloaded. Please have a look at this guide.

Try Intent to avoid that error. or put try catch in your block.
VideoView can only Stream 3gp videos but i recommend this code to stream your video
public void onCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState){
setContentView(R.layout.main);
String videourl = "http://something.com/blah.mp4";
Uri uri = Uri.parse(videourl);
Intent intent = new Intent(Intent.ACTION_VIEW, uri);
intent.setDataAndType(uri, "video/mp4");
startActivity(intent);
}
Or Click here to watch Android Video Streaming Tutorial.

rtsp video performance as Browser triggered intent vs my application triggered intent

Hi I am creating an app which will play livestream.com's rtsp live channel.
I am launching the player using intent within my app as following:
iPlayer = new Intent(Intent.ACTION_VIEW);
//iPlayer.setType("video/*");
iPlayer.setData(Uri.parse(videoUrl));
startActivity(iPlayer);
When the media player is launched through my Application, the video performance is very poor. It stops for buffering every few seconds, plays for few seconds and pauses for buffering again.
ON the other hand, If I open the url in android browser (eg. http://m.livestream.com/abcalbania) it has a video tag on that page and triggers video player. THIS time, the video runs very smooth.
Any Idea why this might happen? And how this can be fixed?
I do not want to launch browser URL as intent.
This is done on Atmel cortex A9 chipset with Android 2.3.4

The problem is caused by the codecs that probably are not supported by your player.
for example i have a video created with MPEG Audio codec along with the H.264 video codec.
if i launch the video through my Application the video runs smoothly, but if i launch a video in Ooyala Hook Player it has a very poor performance, it plays the video every 3 seconds, the reason is that the stream use MPEG audio codec instead of AAC Audio codec that is supported.
You will find the answer with:
what codecs are used to create de video, and what are supported by
your player?

Use this code for smooth STREAM
String videoUrl = "rtmp://mystream";
Intent i = new Intent(android.content.Intent.ACTION_VIEW);
i.setDataAndType(Uri.parse(videoUrl), "video/*");
startActivity(i);

Why not you play this in your own activity, create activity and render the video view like
private String path2 = "rtsp://...";
Uri video = Uri.parse(path2);
mVideoView.setVideoURI(video);
mVideoView.setMediaController(new MediaController(this));
mVideoView.requestFocus();
mVideoView.postInvalidateDelayed(100);
mVideoView.start();
Also you can buffer before start playing maybe 5 secs and than successive buffering will be fast. you can control more thing by your own.

Android's MediaPlayer handle very well RTSP - don't open an external app - it's not necessary and product-wise wrong.
About your question - the browser might send another parameters to the video player that help the video play smooth, I didn't check it but it sounds like the only possible option for what you're describing. Example for the extra param might be the video resolution / encoding / size .. you can get all of them easily using MediaMetaDataRetriever.
If you don't want to use the native VideoView or MediaPlayer you can always add external player to your
app, like libVLC or Vitamio.
I recommend of using Vitamio, is really easy to use and integrate. LibVLC is in native code, it means you'll have to build it using ndk and add its libs to your project.
You can find here how to do that.

Android video view support RTSP urls well no need to pass intent to other application.Try out with this code, pass xml with declaration of video view and find it inside this activity.
public class VideoPlayer extends Activity
{
private VideoView mVideoView;
String videoURL="";
static Utility utility;
static Context context;
//MediaController mediaController;
//int iCurrentpostion=0;
int counter=0;
#Override
public void onCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState)
{
super.onCreate(savedInstanceState);
setContentView(R.layout.tab_video_player);
setupViews();
}
private void setupViews()
{
context=VideoPlayer.this;
//utility=new Utility(VideoPlayer.this);
showProgressDialog("Please wait", "Loading video..");
//videoURL=getIntent().getExtras().getString("url");
mVideoView=(VideoView)findViewById(R.id.xvdvwTab);
// mediaController=new MediaController(context);
// mVideoView.setMediaController(mediaController);
mVideoView.setOnPreparedListener(new OnPreparedListener()
{
#Override
public void onPrepared(MediaPlayer mp)
{
utility.hideProgressDialog();
mVideoView.start();
mVideoView.requestFocus();
}
});
mVideoView.setOnCompletionListener(new OnCompletionListener()
{
#Override
public void onCompletion(MediaPlayer mp)
{
finish();
}
});
mVideoView.setOnErrorListener(new OnErrorListener()
{
#Override
public boolean onError(MediaPlayer mp, int what, int extra)
{
utility.hideProgressDialog();
return false;
}
});
playVideoFile();
}
private void playVideoFile()
{
try
{
mVideoView.setVideoURI(Uri.parse("your url"));
}
catch (Exception e)
{
utility.hideProgressDialog();
if (mVideoView != null)
{
mVideoView.stopPlayback();
}
}
}
#Override
protected void onResume()
{
/*if(mVideoView!=null)
{
//setRequestedOrientation(ActivityInfo.SCREEN_ORIENTATION_LANDSCAPE);
mVideoView.requestFocus();
if(iCurrentpostion!=0)
mVideoView.seekTo(iCurrentpostion);
mVideoView.start();
}
super.onResume();*/
}
#Override
protected void onDestroy()
{
try
{
if (mVideoView != null)
{
mVideoView.stopPlayback();
mVideoView=null;
}
super.onDestroy();
} catch (Exception e)
{}
}
public void showProgressDialog(String title,String Message)
{
hideProgressDialog();
progressDialog=new ProgressDialog(mActivity);
progressDialog.setTitle(title);
progressDialog.setMessage(Message);
if(Constant.isActivityisRunning)
progressDialog.show();
}
public void hideProgressDialog()
{
if (progressDialog != null)
{
if (progressDialog.isShowing())
{
progressDialog.dismiss();
progressDialog = null;
}
}
}
}

I think play video by Asynchronously for better performance. My code is:
private class myAsync extends AsyncTask<Void, Integer, Void> {
int duration = 0;
//int current = 0;
#Override
protected Void doInBackground(Void... params) {
videoView.setOnPreparedListener(new OnPreparedListener() {
public void onPrepared(MediaPlayer mp) {
progressDialog.dismiss();
videoView.seekTo(check);
videoView.start();
duration = videoView.getDuration();
}
});
do {
current = videoView.getCurrentPosition();
System.out.println("duration - " + duration + " current- "
+ current);
}
if (sync.isCancelled())
break;
} while (current != duration || current == 0);
return null;
}
}