How to Disable "Save Target As" for Video Downloads.

[markjf]

I'm trying to find a way to prevent users on my site from saving video files to their computer. I want them to launch the files, but not "Save Target As" directly from the link or "File/Save As" in their video player. I've seen sites that do this, so what's the trick?

[keyplyr]

Check out the source code of a few porn sites that show free movie previews.

of course this is just hearsay since I don't have any personal knowledge of such a thing :)

[mickeymart]

I think you can do that with java script, but perhaps the ideal solution would be to embed the vid in its own player page because then you can put ads and other links on the player page.

[Jon_King]

Try this:

<script language=JavaScript>
<!--

var message="";
function clickIE() {if (document.all) {(message);return false;}}
function clickNS(e) {if
(document.layers¦¦(document.getElementById&&!document.all)) {
if (e.which==2¦¦e.which==3) {(message);return false;}}}
if (document.layers)
{document.captureEvents(Event.MOUSEDOWN);document.onmousedown=clickNS;}
else{document.onmouseup=clickNS;document.oncontextmenu=clickIE;}

document.oncontextmenu=new Function("return false")
// -->
</script>

[keyplyr]

Jon, disabling right click in the users browser does not stop "File/Save As" in their video player.

[kaled]

I think your need to look at streaming but I have no knowledge of this technology.

Kaled.

[Blackie]

Streaming is a good option though requiring setting up a steaming-server :(

[Jon_King]

keyplyr, Yep. I must have been sleeping during that post.

Back to topic, Is it possible to open the player in a blank window without scrollbars and menus? This way nothing would be available to 'save as'.

[keyplyr]

The things is, even if the browser can be stopped from using the 'save file' feature, the pluggin media player copies it to a 'play list' where it can be retrieved. This is done whether the media file is served through a stream server or not.

The solution is to force the browser to use a 'customized' media player that is controlled by the website, not the user. This technique is used by adult websites, so that is where I'd look for the answer. Maybe even going as far as inquiring to the tech support of adult hosting services under the guise of a prospective client.