Android Studio VideoView - Playing Videos

In Android Studio, the VideoView widget provides a simple and built-in solution for embedding and playing videos within your Android applications. This guide will walk you through the process of integrating and playing videos using VideoView.

Syntax

<VideoView
    android:id="@+id/videoView"
    android:layout_width="match_parent"
    android:layout_height="wrap_content" />

• android:id: Unique identifier for the VideoView.
• android:layout_width and android:layout_height: Width and height of the VideoView.

Example

XML Layout:

<RelativeLayout
    xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
    android:layout_width="match_parent"
    android:layout_height="match_parent">

    <VideoView
        android:id="@+id/videoView"
        android:layout_width="match_parent"
        android:layout_height="wrap_content" />

    <!-- Other UI elements can be added here -->

</RelativeLayout>

Java Code:

VideoView videoView = findViewById(R.id.videoView);
videoView.setVideoPath("android.resource://" + getPackageName() + "/" + R.raw.sample_video);
videoView.start();

Output

The output will be an Android app screen containing a VideoView that plays the specified video.

Explanation

• The VideoView is added to the XML layout with a unique ID.
• In the Java code, the setVideoPath method is used to set the path of the video to be played.
• The start method is then called to start playing the video.

Use

Use VideoView when:

• You need to integrate video playback functionality into your Android app.
• You want a straightforward and built-in solution for playing videos.

Important Points

• Place the video file in the res/raw directory of your Android Studio project.
• Consider handling the lifecycle of the VideoView, such as pausing or releasing it when the activity is paused or destroyed.
• VideoView supports various video formats, but it's recommended to use common formats like MP4 for broader compatibility.

Summary

Android Studio VideoView provides a convenient way to embed and play videos in your Android applications. By utilizing VideoView, you can enhance the multimedia experience of your app without the need for additional libraries or complex configurations. Integrate VideoView into your layouts, set the video path, and start playing videos with ease.