SL2 videos not playing on iOS 7.1.2/safari

Nov 04, 2014

Mark Lester
By Mark Lester

Hi, we've encountered an issue with published video content not playing on iPad

Before I go into the actual issue in detail I'll get a few environmental factors out of the way: 

  • Our LMS is Totara 2.6 (Moodle based) hosted in AU.
  • Delivery platform is iPad Air running iOS7.1.2/Safari.
  • All video content is .mp4 and is launched based on a play media trigger to accommodate for iOS restricting the video autoplay feature.
  • All content is published via HTML5 with Articulate mobile player unselected (Reporting is required and no TinCan API support on our LMS).
  • Given our bandwidth variations video file size is always lean by design, for example the largest video in my most recent module is 9mb.

So... to the Issue:

triggered video doesn't play on the first attempt, the slide will cycle through the timeline but only the initial image of the video is visible with no video controls available. Additionally touching the video area doesn't launch either.

However, if you've previously attempted to view the video, exit then retake the course the video content displays as intended.

Although I wouldn't expect that a 9mb video would have issues playing on a 35Mbps development connection. If it is applicable is there a way to do either of the following:

1. Force the video content to download in it's entirety prior to launching that particular slide?

2. Override the iOS block on autoplaying video content, either via JavaScript or another method?

Lastly, although my Google-Fu is quite proficient, I haven't been able to find anyone with the same issue so I'm keen to hear from other SL2/iPad/Safari developers to see if this problem occurs for you?

Thanks in advance and my apologies for the above epic, hopefully there's a simple solution available?

Cheers,
Mark

6 Replies
Andrew Downes
over 9 years ago11/04/14 at 3:28 pm (UTC)

Hi Mark,

RE: "Reporting is required and no TinCan API support on our LMS" have you seen my Tin can launcher plugin for Moodle here: https://moodle.org/plugins/view.php?plugin=mod_tincanlaunch

You will also need an externally hosted LRS alongside your LMS, for example you can use the LRS within SCORM Cloud: http://tincanapi.com/hosted-lrs/

Let me know if you have any questions or mail info@tincanapi.com

Andrew

Ashley Terwilliger-Pollard
over 9 years ago11/04/14 at 9:14 pm (UTC)

Hi Mark,

I know that iOS8 had some issues with video content, but I don't believe I've seen it in iOS7. Storyline does preload your content as described here and we'll stream videos as detailed here, and there isn't a way to ensure it's all loaded prior to the course reaching that slide. 

Additionally, have you tested it anywhere else outside your LMS to rule that out? You may want to use a site such as SCORM Cloud which is an industry standard for testing LMS content. 

I won't be able to assist with the Javascript elements - but if the behavior persists at SCORM Cloud, we're happy to take a look at your .story file. 

Mark Lester
over 9 years ago11/04/14 at 11:28 pm (UTC)

Thanks for the responses Andrew and Ashley,

Unfortunately the Tin Can API/Mobile player is not an option for us, but thanks for the suggestion all the same.

I did some additional troubleshooting of uploading a SL2 video test to the demo version of our LMS and Temp Share and both videos displayed fine on the iPad.

This now leads me to believe there is an issue with the video player on our version of Totara 2.6 and I've raised a ticket with the provider to hopefully get a speedy resolution.

I'll keep this thread updated with the resolution for anyone else who encounters the same issue with video playback on the iPad.

Cheers,
Mark

Jean-Guy Boulay
over 9 years ago11/05/14 at 1:30 pm (UTC)

Hi Mark, I too am developing in IOS7 and for the mobile safari. I did encounter this issue when I had placed the video at zero in the timeline. To get around it I moved the video on the first slide about 1/4 of a second in on the timeline and then paused the timeline at .01secs until the video was triggered by a play button (at which point I resumed the timeline). For the slides that followed I had no issues with autoplay as long as I placed the videos at 1/4 second in.

Hope this helps with some of your issues.

This discussion is closed. You can start a new discussion or contact Articulate Support.