Websites using Fitvidsjs

Okay, let s break down FitVids.js, covering its purpose, alternatives, pricing, and customer care (or lack thereof, as it s a small open-source project).

What is FitVids.js?

FitVids.js is a lightweight jQuery plugin designed to make embedded videos responsive. It s primarily used to ensure that videos embedded from platforms like YouTube, Vimeo, and Wistia scale proportionally within their containing elements on different screen sizes. This prevents videos from overflowing their containers on smaller devices, resulting in a better user experience.

Key Features:

• Automatic Resizing: Automatically calculates the correct aspect ratio and resizes the video based on the container s width.
• Simple Implementation: Easy to integrate into existing websites with minimal code.
• Lightweight: Small file size, minimizing the impact on page load times.
• Works with Popular Platforms: Supports common video embedding platforms.
• Open Source: Free to use and modify.

How it works:

FitVids.js targets specific video embed codes, such as those from YouTube and Vimeo. It wraps the iframe element within a <div> and applies CSS padding that maintains the aspect ratio. It then uses JavaScript to adjust the width and height of the iframe to fit the available space.

Revenue/Business Model:

• No Revenue/Business Model: FitVids.js is a free, open-source project. It s not a commercial product, so there is no company behind it generating revenue. It is maintained by the community and individual contributors.

Alternatives:

While FitVids.js is a good option, here are some alternatives, ranging from other libraries to CSS-only solutions:

• CSS-only Solutions (Using Padding Hack):
  • This is a common approach where you apply padding-bottom to a wrapper element to create a specific aspect ratio. This approach is widely used and typically the go-to method for embedding videos that responsively change aspect ratios across different screen sizes.
  • Pros: No JavaScript required, often the simplest solution.
  • Cons: Requires understanding CSS aspect ratio techniques.

  • How to: ```css .video-container { position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%; / 16:9 aspect ratio / height: 0; overflow: hidden; }

    .video-container iframe { position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; } `` * **fluidvids.js:** Another lightweight JavaScript library specifically designed for making embedded videos responsive. Similar in function to FitVids.js. * **Plyr:** A more comprehensive HTML5 media player that also handles responsive video embedding. It s more feature-rich but also larger than FitVids.js. * **Video.js:** Another popular HTML5 video player with responsive design capabilities and advanced features. * **LazyLoad:** This library has responsive video capabilities, along with lazy loading of other types of content, such as images. * **Modern CSSaspect-ratioProperty:** Modern CSS now supports theaspect-ratio` property. This can be used directly in CSS to define the aspect ratio of an element, including video containers, and eliminate the need for padding hacks or JavaScript libraries. This is becoming the preferred method for many developers. * Pros: Simplifies responsive video embedding with a CSS-only solution. * Cons: May not be supported by older browsers (check browser compatibility). * Example:

    ```css .video-container { width: 100%; / Make the container responsive / aspect-ratio: 16 / 9; / Set the desired aspect ratio (16:9) / }

    .video-container iframe { width: 100%; height: 100%; } ``` * Your own Custom JavaScript: You can write your own JavaScript to calculate and apply the correct aspect ratio and sizing. This gives you maximum control but requires more development effort.

Pricing:

• Free: FitVids.js is open-source and completely free to use.

Customer Care/Support:

• Limited/Community Support: As a free, open-source project, there s no dedicated customer support team. Support is typically provided through:
  • GitHub Issues: You can report bugs, request features, or ask questions on the FitVids.js GitHub repository. The community and occasionally the original developers might respond.
  • Stack Overflow: Search for existing questions or ask a new question tagged with fitvids.js.
  • Community Forums: Web development forums or communities may have discussions about FitVids.js.
• No Guarantees: There s no guarantee of timely or comprehensive support. You re largely reliant on the community and your own troubleshooting skills.

In Summary:

FitVids.js is a simple and effective solution for making embedded videos responsive, and it is completely free. The community support model means that you are generally on your own for support, but it is generally a simple library with easy integration. However, be aware that CSS-only solutions and the newer aspect-ratio CSS property are often preferred alternatives for their simplicity and reduced reliance on JavaScript. If you need a more comprehensive video player with responsive features and dedicated support, consider a commercial alternative like Plyr or Video.js, but be aware that those are much more than responsive embedding tools alone.