Viewing multimedia files in Firefox 3.0 requires a plugin (like Flash). Firefox 3.5 can play Vorbis audio and Theora video (which both use the Ogg container format) files without a plugin (formats developed by the The Xiph.Org Foundation, which are free to use without patent restrictions.)

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To view Vorbis audio and Theora video files in Firefox, upgrade to the latest version of Firefox. For instructions, see Update Firefox to the latest release.

In Firefox 3.5 and above, you can play some types of sound and video files on web pages without a plugin.

What is open media?

Because the use of many audio and video file types is restricted by patents, a third-party application called a plugin is required to use them. A plugin (such as Flash) is a small application that runs inside the browser window.

However, Vorbis audio and Theora video file types (developed by The Xiph.Org Foundation) are free to use without patent restrictions, and can be viewed in Firefox without a plugin. Vorbis and Theora both use the Ogg container format, and are both sometimes called "ogg."

A sample Theora video file is available - Meet Firefox 3.6.

Audio and video controls

When you visit a website that includes a Vorbis sound file or a Theora video file, you will see controls for managing playback when you hold the mouse pointer over the media on the page.

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• Play button: Starts playback.
• Pause button: Stops playback once it has started.
• Progress indicator: Indicates how much time has elapsed since the beginning of the file.
  
  
• Volume control: Click and drag the slider up or down to adjust the volume.
  
  

Keyboard controls

After you click on an audio or video file on a web page, you may control the playback with your keyboard. ||Command|Shortcut Toggle Play / Pause|Space Decrease volume|Arrow down Increase volume|Arrow up Mute audio|Ctrl+Down Arrowcommand+Down Arrow Unmute audio|Ctrl+Arrow upcommand+Up Arrow Seek back 15 seconds|Left Arrow Seek back 10 %|Ctrl+Left Arrowcommand+Left Arrow Seek forward 15 seconds|Right Arrow Seek forward 10 %|Ctrl+Right Arrowcommand+Right Arrow Seek to the beginning|Home Seek to the end|End ||

Full screen video

To make a video take up the full screen, right-clickhold down the Ctrl key while you click and select Full Screen.

To end full screen viewing, click the X in the top-rightleft corner of the viewing window.

Saving open media files

To save an audio file from a web page to your computer:

1. Right-clickHold down the control key while you click on the audio controls and select Save Audio As....
2. Select a location on your computer to save the file.

To save a video file from a web page to your computer:

1. Right-clickHold down the control key while you click on the video controls and select Save Video As....
2. Select a location on your computer to save the file.

Opening saved files

The Vorbis and Theora file types you save from web pages may not play in your normal media player. To open these types of files:

1. Open Firefox.
2. On the menu bar, click File, then select Open File....
3. Navigate to the folder that contains the Vorbis or Theora file you want to play and click Open.