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EchoVideo: Firefox Recommended Browser Configuration

Echo360
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EchoVideo is a web-based application you can view in a browser, with specific browser requirements. In addition to using a supported browser, you may need to check or change some configuration settings to use EchoVideo successfully.

If you access EchoVideo directly through the EchoVideo URL, you may not need to change any of your browser configurations. However, if you access EchoVideo through an LMS such as Canvas, Moodle, or Blackboard, and particularly if the EchoVideo window or media player is opened inside of a browser frame, the below-listed changes to the Firefox browser settings may be necessary to view EchoVideo class recordings, LIVE streams, or embedded video content.

EchoVideo is removing its dependency on third-party cookies when viewing media outside our platform. Cookies are not required to view content in the updated Player embedded within other web pages, unless you are viewing it on certain mobile devices, especially those running iOS.

We recommend you continue to allow third-party cookies in your browser, as viewing content within EchoVideo through an LMS / VLE (your Library or an EchoVideo course) still requires cookies, as may your mobile device. This is because our cookie-less approach requires Media Source Extensions, which some iOS browsers do not support yet. If you are using one of these browsers and Cross-Site Tracking and / or Cookies are not allowed, you will see a message directing you to enable them.

In addition, if you use Keyboard navigation to maneuver through the interface, see the section below on Enabling Tab Key Navigation.

EchoVideo cannot support all 3rd party speed controller plugins. Use the player's built-in variable-speed playback (VSP) and control it via the existing keyboard shortcuts.

Privacy and Security Settings in Firefox

As with most browsers, cookie settings are in Firefox's Privacy and Security section, as shown in the procedure below. The good news is that Firefox's default setting, Standard, is fine. So you never have to change it. If this is you, you can stop reading!

If you select Custom, the one setting you cannot change is blocking ALL third-party cookies. In fact, Firefox says this option may break websites. And this is true for EchoVideo.

Cookies contain some of the current session and authorization information needed to identify you and allow you to view content. This is especially important when a main website, such as the LMS or your University Portal, tries to open EchoVideo in a frame. In this case, cookies are necessary for the two authentication mechanisms to communicate and open EchoVideo content for you.

To review or change Firefox privacy and security settings

  1. Launch Firefox
  2. Click the application menu icon and select Settings from the menu that appears, as shown in the figure below.
    Firefox with the application menu open and Settings identified for steps as described
  3. From the Settings page, select Privacy & Security on the left.
  4. If your page looks like the one below and Standard is selected, you do not need to do anything else. This setting is fine for viewing EchoVideo content.
    Firefox privacy and security page with Standard default option selected and identified as described
  5. If Custom is selected, click the chevron on the right side of the panel to expand it.

  6. Click the Cookies options drop-down to see which option you have set. You can block either type of cross-site cookies if you want to.

    Do not select to block all cookies.
    Firefox custom privacy settings with block all cookies option identified with prohibit symbols indicating do not select this

  7. When finished, you can close the Settings tab.

Enable Tab Key Navigation in Firefox

If you use Firefox for Windows, this setting should already be in place. If you use Firefox on a Mac, you may need to configure your macOS System Preferences to allow for Tab key navigation as described in Enabling Tab Key Navigation in macOS and Safari. Alternatively, you can set the tab focus for accessibility in Firefox using the steps below.

Typically, however, Firefox respects the operating system setting, so these steps should not be necessary. But use them to make a change if needed, or simply to check that your browser settings are appropriate. You may also want to refer to the following article for additional information: https://stackoverflow.com/questions/11704828/how-to-allow-keyboard-focus-of-links-in-firefox.

To view or change the Tab focus setting in Firefox

  1. In Firefox, type about:config in the URL bar.

  2. The Preferences Name column is sorted alphabetically. Check for an entry for accessibility.tabfocus.

    If you have configured your macOS system preferences for Tab navigation, or you are on a Windows computer, you should see an entry. If not, you will need to create one.

  3. Right-click anywhere on the about:config page and select New Integer as shown in the figure below.
    Firefox showing about configurations page with right-click menu and New Integer option shown for steps as described
  4. Enter accessibility.tabfocus for the new integer, and click OK.
    New integer value dialog box with new tab focus preference name entered as described
  5. Right-click the Value column for the new entry and enter 7.
  6. Click OK.

Your Firefox about:config page should look as shown below, with the accessibility:tabfocus entry now set to 7.

Firefox about configurations list with accessbility tab focus entry and value now appearing as described