Popcorn.js 1.0: Mozilla's new HTML5 media toolkit

Mozilla has announced the launch of version 1.0 of Popcorn, a new HTML5 media toolkit from the non-profit organisation. The Popcorn.js library is a event framework for HTML5 media that combines HTML and JavaScript; "Think jQuery for video" says the project's site.

Using Popcorn.js, developers can create interactive time-based media content using video and audio assets, combined with web content including real-time social media, news and visualisations. "Popcorn allows web filmmakers to amp up interactivity around their movies, harnessing the web to expand their creations in new ways," said Mozilla Executive Director Mark Surman.

For those who don't want to write code, Popcorn Maker is a new application that is designed to make authoring interactive videos experiences "as easy as point and click". Built using the Butter.js authoring library, the open source app brings Popcorn.js and its plug-in system to a graphical user interface that includes standard timeline controls. However, the developers note that Popcorn Maker is considered to be at an alpha stage of development adding "seriously, it's Alpha software! Alpha comes before Beta!"

The release of Popcorn.js 1.0 coincided with the world premier of a documentary, which takes full advantage of the media toolkit, from the National Film Board of Canada's "One Millionth Tower" project. Users can view the documentary at Wired.com.

More details about Popcorn can be found in a post on the Mozilla Blog and on the project's homepage, which includes a short introduction video. Popcorn.js 1.0 is available to download from popcornjs.org and documentation is provided. Hosted on GitHub, Popcorn.js source code is released under the MIT licence.

(crve)