The JW Player 5 Beta is considered to be pre-release software.  The documentation below can (and will) change to reflect ongoing development.

JW Player: Startup Phase

When the Player is loaded by the browser, it completes the following steps before allowing the user to begin playback. During this time, a loading screen is displayed.

(1) Load Config

Loads the Player's configuration. This may be accomplished by setting FlashVars, or by loading the Config XML file specified by the config FlashVar.

(2) Load Skin

Depends on (1). The Player loads its skin. If the skin FlashVar is set, the player will load the skin from the provided URL. Otherwise, it loads its embedded skin.

(3) Load Plugins

Depends on (1). If the plugins FlashVar is set, the player will load them from plugins.longtailvideo.com.

(4) Load Playlist

Depends on (1). If the playlist FlashVar is set, the provided XML Playlist is loaded and parsed.

(5) Initialize Plugins

Depends on (2,3,4). The plugins' initPlugin() method is called. The plugins have the opportunity to lock the player at this point.

(6) Javascript CallBacks

Depends on (6). Once the plugins are initialized, and after all plugins have released their locks, the Javascript method called for by the playerready FlashVar is executed.

(7) Begin Playback if Autostart

Depends on (5,6). When plugins have been loaded, and the Javascript playerready callback has been executed, the player can begin playback. If the autostart FlashVar is set, playback begins immediately. Otherwise, the player's loading screen fades out, and the user interface controls are displayed.

(8) Load MediaSources

Depends on (7). If the playlist contains any files that require external MediaSources, they are loaded and initialized before the first playlist item that requires them is played.