A major endpoint manufacturer faced a critical multimedia challenge when the browsers installed on the device were used for multimedia playback in a DaaS & VDI session, when accessing essential business tools, including SaaS platforms and collaborative applications.
Most of the browsers included on the endpoints are Chromium-based, the open-source base for popular browsers like Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge.
The main technical challenge centered on Chromium’s default multimedia limitations. Due to licensing restrictions, the pure, open-source Chromium project does not natively include proprietary codecs such as H.264 for video and AAC for audio. This exclusion prevented users from playing standard multimedia content, directly impacting the platform’s utility and user experience. Furthermore, Chromium utilizes FFmpeg as its primary multimedia framework for multimedia playback; however, this version is a Chromium-only, specific version bundled within the browser itself.
The client required a seamless, legal, and compatible solution to enable H.264 and AAC playback within their Chromium distribution and the specific FFmpeg bundled version.
Fluendo’s expertise in multimedia consulting, GStreamer, and FFmpeg integration was essential to deliver a specialized, legally-compliant, and high-performance multimedia solution for their VDI users.
Seamless Integration
Delivered pre-validated FFmpeg Enabler for Chromium for immediate operational use
Legal Compliance
Enabled full, legal playback of H.264 and AAC multimedia in Chromium-based VDI environments
Codec Compatibility
Achieved universal support for proprietary video and audio formats like H.264 and AAC
Seamless Integration
Delivered pre-validated FFmpeg Enabler for Chromium for immediate operational use
Legal Compliance
Enabled full, legal playback of H.264 and AAC multimedia in Chromium-based VDI environments
Codec Compatibility
Achieved universal support for proprietary video and audio formats like H.264 and AAC
Proposed solutions
Optimizing codec functionality for Chromium
Fluendo’s solution involved a dual-component strategy:
- Fluendo Codec Pack: A legally-compliant set of codecs providing the necessary H.264 and AAC support.
- FFmpeg Enabler for Chromium: A specialized component engineered to integrate the Codec Pack with the unique, internal version of FFmpeg used within the Chromium project, ensuring smooth interoperability.
This successful integration provided a robust, legally-compliant solution that allowed VDI users of major endpoint manufacturers (such as Dell, HP, among others) to seamlessly play web content requiring H.264 and AAC, thus solving the multimedia deficiency and enhancing the user experience.
Proposed solutions
Optimizing codec functionality for Chromium
Fluendo’s solution involved a dual-component strategy:
- Fluendo Codec Pack: A legally-compliant set of codecs providing the necessary H.264 and AAC support.
- FFmpeg Enabler for Chromium: A specialized component engineered to integrate the Codec Pack with the unique, internal version of FFmpeg used within the Chromium project, ensuring smooth interoperability.
This successful integration provided a robust, legally-compliant solution that allowed VDI users of major endpoint manufacturers (such as Dell, HP, among others) to seamlessly play web content requiring H.264 and AAC, thus solving the multimedia deficiency and enhancing the user experience.