Cross Browser Flash Detection in Javascript

Question

Does anyone have an example of script that can work reliably well across IE/Firefox to detect if the browser is capable of displaying embedded flash content. I say reliably because I know its not possible 100% of the time.

Answer 1

Perhaps adobe's flash player detection kit could be helpful here?

http://www.adobe.com/products/flashplayer/download/detection_kit/

Answer 2

SWFObject is very reliable. I have used it without trouble for quite a while.

Answer 3

well... If you want to detect this, you need javascript, right? And if neither flash or js is enabled/available... you are screwed :D Anyhow, i think the best thing is to use swfObject or something similar :)

Answer 4

I've used the following at http://whatsmy.browsersize.com and it works fine across FF/IE/Safari/Opera/Chrome:

http://developer.apple.com/internet/webcontent/examples/detectplugins_source.html

Answer 5

Carl Yestrau's JavaScript Flash Detection Library, here:

http://www.featureblend.com/javascript-flash-detection-library.html

... may be what you're looking for.

Answer 6

Detecting and embedding Flash within a web document is a surprisingly difficult task.

I was very disappointed with the quality and non-standards compliant markup generated from both SWFObject and Adobe's solutions. Additionally, my testing found Adobe's auto updater to be inconsistent and unreliable.

The JavaScript Flash Detection Library (Flash Detect) and JavaScript Flash HTML Generator Library (Flash TML) are a legible, maintainable and standards compliant markup solution.

-"Luke read the source!"

Answer 7

To create a Flash object standart-compliant (with JavaScript however), I recommend you take a look at

Unobtrusive Flash Objects (UFO)

http://www.bobbyvandersluis.com/ufo/index.html