HTML5: Internet Explorer 9 Will Only Support H.264
The next iteration of the Microsoft-developed web browser is Internet Explorer 9 (IE9). The current stable version is Internet Explorer 8 – a version you are very well advised to upgrade to if you’re on older versions, especially the outdated IE6. Getting back to IE9, Redmond-based software giant Microsoft already announced that IE9 will provide HTML5 support and GPU accelerated HTML5 rendering.
"We love HTML 5 so much, we want it to actually work and in IE9, it will. We want the same script and same markup to work across browsers. And at the same time we want to be responsible about standards," IE General Manager, Dean Hachamovitch said at the MIX10 Web developer conference.
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Speaking of standards, Microsoft recently announced that in IE9 (which will not provide support for Windows XP by the way), the browser will only provide support for H.264 and H.264 only. That’s right, when it comes to HTML support in IE9, support for H.264 only is offered.
“The future of the web is HTML5. Microsoft is deeply engaged in the HTML5 process with the W3C. HTML5 will be very important in advancing rich, interactive web applications and site design. The HTML5 specification describes video support without specifying a particular video format. We think H.264 is an excellent format. In its HTML5 support, IE9 will support playback of H.264 video only. H.264 is an industry standard, with broad and strong hardware support,” commented General Manager with Internet Explorer, Dean Hachamovitch.
At this time, most vides on the web are Flash-based. While announcing that IE9 will only provide support for H.264, Microsoft made sure to draw attention to some of the flaws Flash has – “reliability, security, and performance.” Hachamovitch said that Flash has issues with reliability, has issues with security, and has issues with performance. “Despite these issues, Flash remains an important part of delivering a good consumer experience on today’s web,” added Hachamovitch.
UPDATE May 25: IE9 will also provide support for VP8, Dean Hachamovitch announced.
The next iteration of the Microsoft-developed web browser is Internet Explorer 9 (IE9). The current stable version is Internet Explorer 8 – a version you are very well advised to upgrade to if you’re on older versions, especially the outdated IE6. Getting back to IE9, Redmond-based software giant Microsoft already announced that IE9 will provide HTML5 support and GPU accelerated HTML5 rendering.