Play WMV files in Chrome

[mwbutler]

Hi

 

I am been asked to get embedded WMV files to work in Google Chrome and the Google Support pages suggest using this extension to fix the problem - Interoperability Bridges and Labs Center. I've tried the extension and it does fix our problem but my next issue is how do I deploy an extension site-wide that isn't in the Chrome Web Store?

 

I've had Chrome GPOs setup and working for a while now and whilst I can get extensions that are in the Chrome Web Store to install for all users, I cannot figure out how to deploy extensions that are stored locally on our Servers.

 

I've created this directory:

 

P:\ChromeExtensions

 

In that location are:

 

- ChromeWMV.crx

- manifest.json

{
 "manifest_version": 1.0,
 "name": "Windows Media Player HTML5 Extension for Chrome",
 "version": "1.0",
 "update_url": "file:///P:/ChromeExtensions/updates.xml",
}

- updates.xml

 

In the Google GPOs I have enabled this setting:

 

- Configure the list of force-installed extensions

hokdglbhghcebcopdbanieangmcamaak;file:///P:/ChromeExtensions/

 

Done a gpupdate /force on the Server and a PC, restarted it and it doesn't work.

 

Can anyone see what I am doing wrong? Or know of an easier solution? Converting the WMV files and editing 100s of html pages is a last resort solution.

 

Cheers

 

Matt

[Arthur]

I cannot figure out how to deploy extensions that are stored locally on our servers.

It's not possible. Extensions can only be installed through the Chrome Web Store.

 

• Google will block local extensions in Chrome 33 for Windows, disable existing ones not in the Chrome Web Store « The Next Web
   
  

  Google today announced it will block local Chrome extensions on Windows as of version 33. As a result, Windows users will only be able to use extensions for the company’s browser that they install from the Chrome Web Store.

   
  
• Protecting Windows users from malicious extensions « The Chromium Blog
  

Edited February 13, 2014 by Arthur

[mwbutler]

Thanks for the info Arthur.

 

The only solution I can find is that the VLC Media Player Web Plugin supports WMV playback. The only down side is that we will need to get every student to allow the plugin to run before it'll work.

 

Does anyone else have any solutions that do not require user interaction or converting 100s of wmv files and then editing 100s of html pages?

 

Cheers

 

Matt

[Arthur]

The only downside is that we will need to get every student to allow the plugin to run before it'll work.

You can enable plugins and force them to run automatically via the Chrome Group Policy templates.

[mwbutler]

Ah I didn't know that existed.

 

I enabled the policy "Specifiy a list of enabled plugins" and then added "VLC Web Plugin" to the list of enabled plugins and it's working!

 

Thanks a lot.

 

Matt