We're calling on all EU-based Mozillians with iOS or iPadOS devices to help us monitor Apple’s new browser choice screens. Join the effort to hold Big Tech to account!

This site will have limited functionality while we undergo maintenance to improve your experience. If an article doesn't solve your issue and you want to ask a question, we have our support community waiting to help you at @FirefoxSupport on Twitter and/r/firefox on Reddit.

Search Support

Avoid support scams. We will never ask you to call or text a phone number or share personal information. Please report suspicious activity using the “Report Abuse” option.

Learn More

Javascript: hidden embed tag doesn't respond to Play()

  • 2 replies
  • 3 have this problem
  • 1 view
  • Last reply by CJMonk

more options

In the following code snippet on Firefox (Mac OS), the Play() function is not found/does nothing.

<script> function EvalSound(soundobj) {

 var thissound=document.getElementById(soundobj);
 thissound.Play();

} </script>

<embed src="success.wav" autostart=false width=0 height=0 id="sound1" enablejavascript="true">

<form> <input type="button" value="Play Sound" onClick="EvalSound('sound1')"> </form>

The <embed> tag is non-standard, but the above code works on Windows (IE, Chrome, Firefox) + Mac (Safari + Chrome).

A workaround is to give the <embed> tag attributes height=1 width=1 (resulting in a single pixel showing). Setting either height + width=0 or hidden=true seems to hide the DOM object from Javascript.

Security feature? Optimization?

In the following code snippet on Firefox (Mac OS), the Play() function is not found/does nothing. <script> function EvalSound(soundobj) { var thissound=document.getElementById(soundobj); thissound.Play(); } </script> <embed src="success.wav" autostart=false width=0 height=0 id="sound1" enablejavascript="true"> <form> <input type="button" value="Play Sound" onClick="EvalSound('sound1')"> </form> The <embed> tag is non-standard, but the above code works on Windows (IE, Chrome, Firefox) + Mac (Safari + Chrome). A workaround is to give the <embed> tag attributes height=1 width=1 (resulting in a single pixel showing). Setting either height + width=0 or hidden=true seems to hide the DOM object from Javascript. Security feature? Optimization?

All Replies (2)

more options

Does it work if you place the embed in a DIV container that has display:none or visibility:hidden ?


A good place to ask questions and advice about web development is at the mozillaZine Web Development/Standards Evangelism forum.
The helpers at that forum are more knowledgeable about web development issues.
You need to register at the mozillaZine forum site in order to post at that forum.

See http://forums.mozillazine.org/viewforum.php?f=25

more options

Placing the embed in a hidden div container also breaks Play().

As far as I can tell, the <embed> must be visible.