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Source media Property

< Source Object

Example

Return what media/device a specific file is optimized for:

var x = document.getElementById("mySource").media;

The result of x will be:

screen and (min-width:320px)
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Definition and Usage

The media property sets or returns the value of the media attribute in a <source> element.

The media attribute specifies the type of media resource (what media/device the file is optimized for).

The browser can use the media attribute to determine whether it can play the file or not. If it cannot, it can choose not to download it.

Note: The <source> element is new in HTML5.


Browser Support

Internet Explorer Firefox Opera Google Chrome Safari

The media property is supported in all major browsers.

Note: The media attribute however, is NOT supported in any of the major browsers.


Syntax

Return the media property:

sourceObject.media

Set the media property:

sourceObject.media=value

Note: This property can accept several values.

Possible Operators

Value Description
and Specifies an AND operator
not Specifies a NOT operator
, Specifies an OR operator

Devices

Value Description
all Suitable for all devices. This is default
aural Speech synthesizers
braille Braille feedback devices
handheld Handheld devices (small screen, limited bandwidth)
projection Projectors
print Print preview mode/printed pages
screen Computer screens
tty Teletypes and similar media using a fixed-pitch character grid
tv Television type devices (low resolution, limited scroll ability)

Values

Value Description
width Specifies the width of the targeted display area.
"min-" and "max-" prefixes can be used.
Example: media="screen and (min-width:500px)"
height Specifies the height of the targeted display area.
"min-" and "max-" prefixes can be used.
Example: media="screen and (max-height:700px)"
device-width Specifies the width of the target display/paper.
"min-" and "max-" prefixes can be used.
Example: media="screen and (device-width:500px)"
device-height Specifies the height of the target display/paper.
"min-" and "max-" prefixes can be used.
Example: media="screen and (device-height:500px)"
orientation Specifies the orientation of the target display/paper.
Possible values: "portrait" or "landscape"
Example: media="all and (orientation: landscape)"
aspect-ratio Specifies the width/height ratio of the targeted display area.
"min-" and "max-" prefixes can be used.
Example: media="screen and (aspect-ratio:16/9)"
device-aspect-ratio Specifies the device-width/device-height ratio of the target display/paper.
"min-" and "max-" prefixes can be used.
Example: media="screen and (aspect-ratio:16/9)"
color Specifies the bits per color of target display.
"min-" and "max-" prefixes can be used.
Example: media="screen and (color:3)"
color-index Specifies the number of colors the target display can handle.
"min-" and "max-" prefixes can be used.
Example: media="screen and (min-color-index:256)"
monochrome Specifies the bits per pixel in a monochrome frame buffer.
"min-" and "max-" prefixes can be used.
Example: media="screen and (monochrome:2)"
resolution Specifies the pixel density (dpi or dpcm) of the target display/paper.
"min-" and "max-" prefixes can be used.
Example: media="print and (resolution:300dpi)"
scan Specifies scanning method of a tv display.
Possible values are "progressive" and "interlace".
Example: media="tv and (scan:interlace)"
grid Specifies if the output device is grid or bitmap.
Possible values are "1" for grid, and "0" otherwise.
Example: media="handheld and (grid:1)"

Technical Details

Return Value: A String, representing the indented type of the media resource

Related Pages

HTML reference: HTML <source> media attribute


< Source Object