[html5] bufferedBytes removed from HTMLMediaElement?

[Ian Hickson]

On Mon, 23 Mar 2009, Rik Sagar wrote:
>
> I just noticed from the latest draft the ByteRanges bufferedBytes 
> property is no longer present on the HTMLMediaElements.  Why was that 
> removed?

It's not as useful for user interfaces than an accurate time-based 
equivalent, and browser vendors said they'd rather provide an accurate 
time-based equivalent.


> In my implementation of media middleware my experience is that 
> bufferedBytes is far better than TimeRanges buffered value for providing 
> user feedback about buffering and a more accurate estimate of how 
> buffering is progressing.

Surely users care more about where they can play than about bytes?


> The problem with generating and using the buffered value, is that the 
> value cannot be accurately generated with some A/V content/containers.  
> For example, take an MP3 file the mp3 'spec' does not require the exact 
> duration or bitrate to be specified in the container.

The HTML5 spec requires deep inspection where the format doesn't provide 
the information directly.


> I recommend putting the bufferedBytes property back into the media 
> elements.

If you can convince browser vendors to implement it, I'm happy to add it 
back.

-- 
Ian Hickson               U+1047E                )\._.,--....,'``.    fL
http://ln.hixie.ch/       U+263A                /,   _.. \   _\  ;`._ ,.
Things that are impossible just take longer.   `._.-(,_..'--(,_..'`-.;.'