Both Video.js and HLS.js are open-source JavaScript libraries that can be used for playing M3U8 URLs, but they approach the task in slightly different ways.
Video.js is primarily a player framework that provides a customizable UI, playback controls, and other features for playing video content. It supports playing M3U8 URLs by using the native HTML5 video player with the application/x-mpegURL MIME type, which means it relies on the browser’s built-in HLS support. If the browser doesn’t support HLS natively, Video.js falls back to using Flash.
HLS.js, on the other hand, is a JavaScript library that adds support for playing HLS content to browsers that don’t support it natively, by parsing the M3U8 playlist and loading the media segments via XHR requests. HLS.js provides a more consistent playback experience across different browsers, and can also handle some edge cases and error scenarios better than the native player or Flash.
In terms of which one is better for playing M3U8 URLs, it depends on your specific requirements and use case. If you just need a basic video player with HLS support and don’t need to worry about compatibility with older browsers, Video.js might be a good choice. On the other hand, if you want more control over the playback experience and need to support a wider range of browsers, HLS.js might be a better choice.
In general, if your audience includes older browsers or devices that don’t support HLS natively, HLS.js may be a better option since it can provide a consistent playback experience across a wider range of devices. However, if you’re targeting modern browsers that support HLS natively, Video.js is a popular and well-supported option that can offer a lot of flexibility and customization options.