The warning player.tech_.hls is deprecated. use player.tech_.vhs instead is not an emergency, but it is a signal to modernize. By switching from tech_.hls to tech_.vhs, you align your code with the current architecture of Video.js’s HLS playback engine.
The migration is straightforward: rename the property, test your quality-switching and event-handling logic, and update any internal documentation. Your reward is a cleaner, more maintainable codebase free of deprecation warnings.
Final checklist:
By acting now, you ensure that when Video.js eventually removes the alias, your player will continue working seamlessly. Keep streaming, stay updated, and always respect the console – it’s trying to help you build a better video experience.
Have questions about more complex VHS migrations? Check out the official @videojs/http-streaming documentation on GitHub or open an issue on the Video.js discussion board.
This warning occurs because videojs-http-streaming (VHS) has replaced the older videojs-contrib-hls
library as the standard engine for HLS and DASH playback in Video.js 7 and above
While your existing code may still work, it uses a deprecated reference that will eventually be removed. Quick Fix: Update Your Code
To resolve the warning, replace any instance where you access the "tech" via Old Code (Deprecated): javascript hls = player.tech().hls; playlists = player.tech().hls.playlists.media(); Use code with caution. Copied to clipboard New Code (Recommended): javascript vhs = player.tech().vhs; playlists = player.tech().vhs.playlists.media(); Use code with caution. Copied to clipboard Initialization Options
If you are passing specific HLS configurations during player setup, you should also update the key from Example Configuration: javascript player = videojs( 'my-video' , { html5: { vhs: { // Changed from 'hls' overrideNative: , withCredentials: Use code with caution. Copied to clipboard Key Differences Between HLS and VHS Unified Support: VHS is a single engine that handles both streaming. Native Integration:
VHS is built directly into Video.js, meaning you no longer need to include videojs-contrib-hls as a separate plugin. Consistent Experience: vhs: overrideNative: true
, you can ensure a consistent playback experience across different browsers (like Chrome vs. Safari) rather than relying on inconsistent native browser behaviors.
player.tech().hls is deprecated. Use player.tech().vhs instead #2
This warning occurs because videojs-contrib-hls has been deprecated and replaced by videojs-http-streaming (VHS). While the library still provides backward compatibility, it now encourages developers to use the vhs namespace for modern streaming features like HLS and DASH. Why the Change?
Starting with Video.js 7, HLS and DASH support were unified into a single engine called VHS. The warning is simply a prompt to update your code to match the current internal naming. How to Fix the Warning
To resolve the warning, you need to update how you access the HLS/VHS object and how you pass options during initialization. 1. Update Object Access
If you are accessing playback data (like playlists or bitrates) via the player's tech, change hls to vhs. Deprecated: player.tech().hls Recommended: player.tech().vhs Example: javascript
// Old way (triggers warning) var playlists = player.tech().hls.playlists; // New way (recommended) var playlists = player.tech().vhs.playlists; Use code with caution. Copied to clipboard 2. Update Initialization Options
When configuring HLS settings during player setup, the hls key is now deprecated in favor of vhs. Deprecated: javascript videojs('my-video', hls: overrideNative: true ); Use code with caution. Copied to clipboard Recommended: javascript
videojs('my-video', html5: vhs: overrideNative: true ); Use code with caution. Copied to clipboard Key Differences: VHS vs. Contrib-HLS videojs-contrib-hls videojs-http-streaming (VHS) Status Deprecated Active / Modern Protocols HLS & DASH Integration Requires separate plugin Built into Video.js 7+ Engine Transmuxer based Media Source Extensions (MSE) Important Implementation Notes
player.tech().hls is deprecated. Use player.tech().vhs instead #2
Here’s a short, interesting story built around that technical warning.
Title: The Ghost in the Stream
Maya was a video engineer who prided herself on clean code and silent consoles. No red flags. No warnings. Her latest project was a 24/7 live stream for a retro game marathon called Pixel Purgatory.
The stream launched flawlessly. Thousands of viewers tuned in to watch speedruns of obscure 1990s platformers. But at 3:17 AM, a single warning flickered in her browser’s developer console:
VIDEOJS WARN: player.tech--.hls is deprecated. Use player.tech--.vhs instead.
Maya almost ignored it. Deprecated, not broken, she thought. It can wait until morning.
But the stream started glitching. Not normal buffering—weird glitches. Frame repeats. Subtitles showing scrambled text like SEGMENT_3.ts NOT FOUND BUT ALSO FOUND. The chat filled with spam: “Did the stream just lag into another timeline?”
Then a viewer named hls_ghost sent a single message: “You’re still using the old HLS tech. I’ve been waiting for someone to notice.”
Maya’s heart thumped. She opened the network tab. The manifest file was fine. But every few seconds, a request to a non-existent segment path appeared: /legacy/hls/player.tech--.hls/deprecated.js
She had never seen anything like it. It was as if the player was talking to a dead version of itself.
Fingers flying, she changed the player configuration:
// old techOrder: ['html5', 'hls']
// new techOrder: ['html5', 'vhs']
She added the explicit VHS setup:
html5:
vhs:
overrideNative: true
The moment she deployed, the console cleared. The glitches stopped. And hls_ghost went silent. The warning player
At 3:33 AM, the stream returned to perfect clarity. A final message from the ghost appeared in chat—not as a user, but as a system notice:
[System] player.tech--.vhs initialized. Legacy handler laid to rest.
Maya sipped her cold coffee and whispered, “Goodnight, old tech.”
From that day on, every new project started with VHS—not because the docs demanded it, but because she knew what slept in the deprecated shadows.
If you recently updated Video.js or your browser console is suddenly flooded with the warning player.tech().hls is deprecated. use player.tech().vhs instead, you aren't alone. This is a common transition point for developers moving toward more modern streaming standards. ⚡ The Quick Fix
To silence the warning and ensure compatibility, replace any direct references to .hls with .vhs in your JavaScript code. Old Code: javascript
var player = videojs('my-video'); player.ready(function() // This triggers the warning var hls = player.tech().hls; console.log(hls.playlists.master); ); Use code with caution. Copied to clipboard New Code: javascript
var player = videojs('my-video'); player.ready(function() // Use vhs (VideoJS HTTP Streaming) instead var vhs = player.tech().vhs; if (vhs) console.log(vhs.playlists.master); ); Use code with caution. Copied to clipboard 🤔 Why is this happening?
Historically, Video.js used a dedicated plugin called videojs-contrib-hls to play HLS video.
Integration: Video.js eventually integrated streaming capabilities directly into the core library.
Evolution: The engine was renamed to VHS (Video.js HTTP Streaming).
Support: Unlike the old HLS tech, VHS supports both HLS and DASH streams.
Consistency: The .hls property was kept as an alias for a long time to prevent breaking sites, but it is now being phased out to encourage the use of the standardized VHS API. 🛠️ Common Use Cases for .vhs
Most developers access the tech object to handle manual quality switching or to inspect manifest data. Here is how to do it the "new" way: 1. Accessing the Master Playlist javascript const masterPlaylist = player.tech().vhs.playlists.master; Use code with caution. Copied to clipboard 2. Listening for Quality Changes javascript
player.tech().vhs.playlists.on('change', function() console.log('The resolution has changed!'); ); Use code with caution. Copied to clipboard 3. Checking for VHS Support
Before running logic, it is a best practice to ensure the VHS tech is actually active: javascript
if (player.tech() && player.tech().vhs) // Your logic here Use code with caution. Copied to clipboard 💡 Summary
Don't worry—your video won't stop playing today. However, since .hls is officially deprecated, it may be removed in the next major version of Video.js. Swapping to .vhs now takes thirty seconds and future-proofs your video player. Are you trying to implement manual quality selection?
The warning videojs warn player.tech().hls is deprecated. use player.tech().vhs instead occurs because Video.js transitioned its underlying streaming engine from a dedicated HLS library to the more versatile Video.js HTTP Streaming (VHS) engine. Why the Change?
Protocol Neutrality: While the original engine (videojs-contrib-hls) was built specifically for HLS, developers realized the same core logic could handle multiple formats.
VHS Successor: VHS is the official successor that supports both HLS and DASH content within a single, unified codebase.
Better Integration: VHS has been bundled into Video.js by default since version 7.0, providing a more consistent experience across browsers by overriding native HLS playback where necessary. How to Fix the Warning
To resolve the deprecation warning, update your code to reference the vhs property instead of hls.
Accessing Runtime Properties:If you previously accessed properties like playlists or representations through player.tech().hls, switch to vhs: javascript
// Old (Deprecated) var hls = player.tech().hls; // New (Recommended) var vhs = player.tech().vhs; Use code with caution. Copied to clipboard
Updating Initialization Options:When setting up your player, update your options object to use the vhs key: javascript
// Old (Deprecated) var player = videojs('my-video', hls: overrideNative: true ); // New (Recommended) var player = videojs('my-video', vhs: overrideNative: true ); Use code with caution. Copied to clipboard
Handling "Undefined" Errors:The vhs object is only attached to the tech when an HLS or DASH stream is actively in use. Ensure your media has loaded or use the player's ready callback before attempting to access it. videojs-http-streaming (VHS) - GitHub
The warning "VIDEOJS: WARN: player.tech().hls is deprecated. Use player.tech().vhs instead" marks a major shift in how Video.js handles adaptive streaming. This change reflects the transition from the legacy videojs-contrib-hls plugin to the modern videojs-http-streaming (VHS) engine, which has been the default since Video.js 7. The Evolution: HLS to VHS
Historically, videojs-contrib-hls was a separate plugin required to play HLS content in browsers without native support. With the release of Video.js 7, the core team introduced VHS, a unified engine that supports both HLS and DASH.
The deprecation of the .hls property in favor of .vhs was a strategic renaming to reflect this multi-protocol capability. Key Technical Differences
Protocol Support: While the old tech focused strictly on HLS, VHS handles multiple HTTP streaming protocols, providing a more consistent API across different media types.
Architecture: VHS is built directly into the Video.js core. It relies on Media Source Extensions (MSE) to deliver adaptive bitrate streaming on most modern browsers.
Property Mapping: Most runtime properties previously accessed via player.tech().hls (such as playlists or representations) have been migrated to player.tech().vhs. Actionable Migration Steps
To resolve the warning and ensure your implementation is future-proof, update your code as follows: By acting now, you ensure that when Video
Update Property Access: Replace instances where you directly access the HLS tech. Old: var hls = player.tech().hls; New: var vhs = player.tech().vhs;
Update Configuration Options: If you are passing specific options to the HLS engine during player initialization, update the key from hls to vhs. Example (Override Native): javascript
videojs('my-player', html5: vhs: overrideNative: true ); ``` Use code with caution. Copied to clipboard
Quality Level Management: For advanced features like manual quality switching, it is recommended to use the videojs-contrib-quality-levels plugin, which integrates automatically with the VHS engine. Comparison Table: HLS vs. VHS Legacy (hls) Modern (vhs) Primary Library videojs-contrib-hls @videojs/http-streaming Supported Protocols HLS & DASH Integration External Plugin Core (since v7) Native Override hls: overrideNative: true vhs: overrideNative: true
Are you experiencing issues with specific features like ABR logic or encrypted streams after switching to VHS? videojs-http-streaming (VHS) - GitHub
Deprecation Warning: Using player.tech_.hls is Deprecated, Please Use player.tech_.vhs Instead
Introduction
Video.js is a popular JavaScript library used for video and audio playback on the web. Recently, a deprecation warning has been raised regarding the use of player.tech_.hls in Video.js. This report aims to provide an overview of the issue, its implications, and recommendations for mitigation.
Background
HLS (HTTP Live Streaming) is a widely used protocol for live and on-demand video streaming. In Video.js, HLS playback is facilitated through the hls tech. However, with the introduction of VHS (Video.js HLS Shim), a more efficient and feature-rich solution for HLS playback, the hls tech has been marked as deprecated.
The Deprecation Warning
When using Video.js with the hls tech, a warning is logged to the console:
WARN: player.tech_.hls is deprecated. Use player.tech_.vhs instead.
This warning indicates that the player.tech_.hls property is no longer recommended and will be removed in future versions of Video.js.
Implications
Using the deprecated player.tech_.hls property may lead to:
Recommendations
To ensure continued support and compatibility with future versions of Video.js:
player.tech_.hls and replace them with player.tech_.vhs.Example Code
Here's an example of how to initialize a Video.js player using the VHS tech:
const player = videojs('my-player',
techOrder: ['vhs'],
sources: [
src: 'https://example.com/hls-stream.m3u8',
type: 'application/x-mpegURL',
],
);
Conclusion
The deprecation of player.tech_.hls in Video.js is a necessary step towards maintaining a stable and feature-rich playback solution. By migrating to player.tech_.vhs, you can ensure continued support, compatibility, and access to the latest features and bug fixes. We recommend updating your code to use the VHS tech to avoid potential issues and ensure a seamless playback experience.
The warning "VIDEOJS: WARN: player.tech().hls is deprecated. Use player.tech().vhs instead" appears because Video.js has replaced its older HLS-specific library (videojs-contrib-hls) with Video.js HTTP Streaming (VHS).
VHS is the modern successor that handles both HLS and DASH streams using a single engine. While HLS is still supported, the specific API property hls has been renamed to vhs to reflect this multi-format capability. Why the Change?
Unified Engine: VHS was created when developers realised the HLS engine could also play DASH content with minimal changes.
Broad Support: VHS is built into Video.js 7 by default, abstracting away browser-specific differences in streaming technology.
Future-Proofing: Renaming the property to vhs allows Video.js to add support for new streaming formats without needing separate "tech" objects for each. How to Fix the Warning
To resolve the warning, update your JavaScript code to reference vhs instead of hls. 1. Update Runtime References
If you are accessing HLS properties at runtime (e.g., for bitrate switching or quality levels), change your references: javascript
// Deprecated var hls = player.tech().hls; // Correct var vhs = player.tech().vhs; Use code with caution. Copied to clipboard 2. Update Initialization Options
If you are passing options to the HLS source handler during setup, update the key in your options object: javascript
// Deprecated var player = videojs('my-video', html5: hls: withCredentials: true ); // Correct var player = videojs('my-video', html5: vhs: withCredentials: true ); Use code with caution. Copied to clipboard Quick Troubleshooting
Persistent Warnings: If you haven't manually added hls to your code but still see the warning, it may be coming from a third-party plugin (like Mux Data) that hasn't been updated to the latest Video.js API.
Silencing Logs: For certain edge cases where you must use the older reference, calling player.tech(true).hls may stop the large volume of console logs in some environments. videojs-http-streaming (VHS) - GitHub
If you are seeing the warning "VIDEOJS: WARN: player.tech().hls is deprecated. Use player.tech().vhs instead," it is because your code is still using the older videojs-contrib-hls naming convention.
Since Video.js 7, the player uses a unified engine called VHS (Video.js HTTP Streaming) to handle both HLS and DASH streams. This change ensures a more consistent API regardless of the streaming protocol being used. How to Fix the Deprecation Warning Have questions about more complex VHS migrations
To resolve this, you need to update how you access the streaming technology object and how you configure your player options. 1. Update Programmatic Access
If your JavaScript code manually accesses the HLS object to change quality levels, tracks, or metadata, change hls to vhs. Old (Deprecated): javascript
var player = videojs('my-video'); player.ready(function() // This triggers the warning var hls = player.tech().hls; console.log(hls.playlists.master); ); Use code with caution. New (Correct): javascript
var player = videojs('my-video'); player.ready(function() // Use .vhs instead var vhs = player.tech().vhs; if (vhs) console.log(vhs.playlists.master); ); Use code with caution. 2. Update Configuration Options
If you are passing options to the player during initialization, update the key from hls to vhs within the html5 object. Old (Deprecated): javascript
var player = videojs('my-video', html5: hls: overrideNative: true ); Use code with caution. New (Correct): javascript
var player = videojs('my-video', html5: vhs: overrideNative: true ); Use code with caution. Why the Change Happened
Unified Engine: Video.js HTTP Streaming (VHS) replaced the separate videojs-contrib-hls and DASH plugins.
Protocol Agnostic: Because VHS handles multiple formats, calling it .hls was technically inaccurate when the player was actually playing a DASH stream.
Better Support: VHS is bundled by default in Video.js 7 and 8, offering improved cross-browser compatibility and features like low-latency HLS. Potential "Undefined" Issues
If you switch to .vhs and it returns undefined, check the following: videojs-http-streaming (VHS) - GitHub
This warning occurs because videojs-http-streaming (VHS) replaced the older videojs-contrib-hls plugin as the default engine for HLS and DASH playback starting in Video.js 7 . To resolve it, you must update your code to reference vhs instead of hls. 1. Update Player Options
If you are passing options like overrideNative during player initialization, change the hls key to vhs: javascript
// Old/Deprecated var player = videojs('my-video', html5: hls: overrideNative: true ); // New/Correct var player = videojs('my-video', html5: vhs: overrideNative: true ); Use code with caution. Copied to clipboard 2. Update Runtime Access
If you are accessing runtime properties (like XHR hooks or representations) via the player's tech object, switch the property name: Deprecated: player.tech().hls Replacement: player.tech().vhs Why this changed
VHS (Video.js HTTP Streaming) was created to be a single, format-agnostic engine capable of playing both HLS and DASH. Since the engine is no longer exclusive to HLS, the Video.js team renamed the internal properties and options to reflect this broader support.
Using hls options is deprecated · Issue #7007 · videojs/video.js
Title: Fix for "player.tech_.hls is deprecated" Warning
Body:
This warning appears because Video.js has updated its internal naming convention for the HTTP Live Streaming engine. The hls property on the tech object is being phased out in favor of vhs (Video.js HTTP Streaming).
To resolve this warning and future-proof your code, simply replace the deprecated property in your JavaScript:
// Deprecated (Old)
var hls = player.tech_.hls;
// Recommended (New)
var hls = player.tech_.vhs;
If you’re using community plugins (like HLS quality selector or thumbnail plugins), they might be the culprit. Check if the plugin has an update that replaces .hls with .vhs. If not, you may need to fork and patch it—or open an issue with the author.
Video.js is a popular open‑source HTML5 video player framework. For HLS streaming, it relies on a tech — the underlying playback engine. Historically, Video.js used a tech named hls (provided by the videojs-contrib-hls package).
Around Video.js version 7 and later, the project migrated to a new, more robust HLS library called VHS (Video.js HLS Streaming). VHS stands for Video.js HTTP Streaming, and it supports both HLS and DASH.
To maintain backward compatibility, an alias was kept: when you wrote player.tech_.hls, it still pointed to the VHS tech for a while. Starting with certain Video.js versions (typically v7+ with updated contrib packages), using the old name triggers this deprecation warning.
The warning is telling you:
“You are using a legacy property name. It still works for now, but you should switch to the new property name —
player.tech_.vhs— because the old one will be removed in a future release.”
The Video.js core team issues deprecation warnings for two primary reasons:
In short: The warning does not mean tech_.hls is gone; it means it will be removed in a future major version.
For years, videojs-contrib-hls was the standard way to play HLS (.m3u8) streams in Video.js. Internally, the player stored this HLS reference as player.tech_.hls.
However, the Video.js team has since moved to a unified, more powerful streaming engine called VHS (Video.js HTTP Streaming). VHS supports not only HLS but also DASH and future streaming protocols. The old hls property is now just a pointer to VHS for backward compatibility—and that pointer is being deprecated.
After making the change, test:
If you have been developing HTML5 video players using Video.js, particularly those handling HTTP Live Streaming (HLS), you have likely encountered a warning in your browser's console that looks something like this:
VIDEOJS: WARN: player.tech_.hls is deprecated. use player.tech_.vhs instead
At first glance, this warning can be alarming, especially if your custom player logic relies on accessing the underlying HLS technology. Is your player about to break? Do you need to rewrite large portions of your codebase?
The short answer is: No, your player will continue to function for now, but you should update your code to future-proof your application.
This article provides a deep dive into why this warning appears, what player.tech_.hls and player.tech_.vhs actually represent, how to fix the issue, and best practices for managing Video.js tech instances moving forward.
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