README: Swap logic for checking Hls.isSupported()

[dylanjha]

This PR will...

Update README for checking browser HLS support.

Why is this Pull Request needed?

Before Safari supported MSE then this recommendation in the README worked well because Hls.isSupported() would return false. Now that changed and it returns true.

I typically think it's a best practice to use the browser's native HLS support if it's available, otherwise fallback to hls.js

Checklist

n/a - only a README update

[robwalch]

I typically think it's a best practice to use the browser's native HLS support if it's available, otherwise fallback to hls.js

I agree (and do the same in JW Player), but not everyone thinks that way. Some folks want to use hls.js's API whenever possible to have access to:

• manual quality selection
• additional access to metadata and manifest tag attributes

There may be other reasons. On the down side, handling HLS streams with JavaScript is probably less power and memory efficient. There may also be places where the player is less stable than Safari (or vice versa). The latest release, v0.14.7, includes a lot of improvements for Safari playback on Desktop and iPad where MSE is available, and I would still like to encourage users to try it out and give us their feedback.

[dylanjha]

Thanks for considering @robwalch, totally makes sense. The only reason I opened this is because I've seen many folks mix this up (myself included 😁 ).

I updated the README to:

• keep that code sample the same
• add a second code sample titled Alternative setup which swaps the logic and explains a bit more.

Feel free to take it or leave it, I can also understand if you don't want to clutter up the "Getting started" and risk making it too confusing for folks that are seeing it for the first time. Whatever you think is best!

[robwalch]

Hi @dylanjha,

This is great! Thank you for improving the README and linking the comment above.