Android API Guide for Media Apps (8) - Building a Video Player Activity (Building a Video Player Activity)

Building a Video Player Activity

When the activity receives a callback from the lifecycle onCreate() method it should implement these steps:

• Create and initialize a media session

• Set callback for media session

• Create and initialize a media controller

The sample code steps of onCreate() are as follows:

MediaSessionCompat mMediaSession;
PlaybackStateCompat.Builder mStateBuilder;

@Override
public void onCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState) {
  super.onCreate(savedInstanceState);

  // Create a MediaSessionCompat
  mMediaSession = new MediaSessionCompat(this, LOG_TAG);

  // Enable callbacks from MediaButtons and TransportControls
  mMediaSession.setFlags(
    MediaSessionCompat.FLAG_HANDLES_MEDIA_BUTTONS |
    MediaSessionCompat.FLAG_HANDLES_TRANSPORT_CONTROLS);

  // Set an initial PlaybackState with ACTION_PLAY, so media buttons can start the player
  mStateBuilder = new PlaybackStateCompat.Builder()
                .setActions(
                    PlaybackStateCompat.ACTION_PLAY |
                    PlaybackStateCompat.ACTION_PLAY_PAUSE);
  mMediaSession.setState(mStateBuilder.build());

  // MySessionCallback has methods that handle callbacks from a media controller
  mMediaSession.setCallback(new MySessionCallback());

  // Create a MediaControllerCompat
  MediaControllerCompat mediaController =
    new MediaControllerCompat(this, mMediaSession);

  MediaControllerCompat.setMediaController(this, mediaController);
}

When an application is closed, the activity successfully receives onPause() and onStop() callbacks. If the player is playing, you must stop the activity before it leaves. Which callback to choose depends on what Android version you're running on.

On Android 6.0 (API level 23) or earlier, onStop() is not guaranteed to be called, it may be called 5 seconds after your activity disappears. Therefore, before Android 7.0 or earlier, your app should stop playing in onPause(). After Android 7.0, the system calls onStop() as soon as the activity becomes invisible, so this is not a significant issue.

Summarize:

• On Android 6.0 or earlier, stop the player in the onPause() callback.
• On Android 7.0 or higher, stop the player in the onStop() callback.

When the activity receives the onDestroy() callback, it should release and clear the player.