1573350 - add explanation for "Block Audio" and "Block Audio and Video" autoplay settings

Status: NEW

(Core :: Audio/Video, defect, P3)

Description

[Michael Froman [:mjf]]

The UI options here are somewhat confusing in that they don't make it clear that these options are only effective as long as the user doesn't interact with the page. Some explanatory text here to explain how these options work will help. I've had to explain this to several people when they think autoplay is broken which is a reasonable assumption given the way the options are worded.

Comment 1

[Timothée Haudebourg]

I've been confused by that too. And by the way, is there any plans to add an option that does exactly that (i.e. require manual interaction with individual medias)? Many sites such as reddit.com have numerous videos on the page. Most of the time I only want to play a single video. But once I click on one video, everything else starts to play without my consent.

Comment 2

[MarjaE]

Agreed. It would help to

1. warn that this does not block autoplaying gifs, autoplaying pngs, and some other autoplaying formats, because these include the worst migraine and seizure triggers.

2. Include instructions to block these.

3. Warn that this does not block autoplaying media once users interact with a page.

4. Include instructions to use block autoplay settings to block autoplay.

Comment 3

[MarjaE]

(In reply to Timothée Haudebourg from comment #1)

I've been confused by that too. And by the way, is there any plans to add an option that does exactly that (i.e. require manual interaction with individual medias)? Many sites such as reddit.com have numerous videos on the page. Most of the time I only want to play a single video. But once I click on one video, everything else starts to play without my consent.

I think media.autoplay.blocking_policy 2 will do that. I wish it were available in about:preferences instead of about:config.