---
title: Minimal video player
description: Use MinimalVideoPlayer for muted, looping product demonstrations with a single play and pause control
keywords: ['playback', 'media', 'video', 'motion']
ready: true
source: https://github.com/primer/brand/blob/main/packages/react/src/MinimalVideoPlayer/MinimalVideoPlayer.tsx
storybook: '/brand/storybook/?path=/story/components-minimalvideoplayer--playground'
---

```js
import {MinimalVideoPlayer} from '@primer/react-brand'
```

Use `MinimalVideoPlayer` for short, silent product demonstrations that need only a play and pause control.

Use [VideoPlayer](../VideoPlayer/index.md) when viewers need audio, captions, seeking, volume, fullscreen controls,
branding, or a dedicated programmatic playback API.

## Examples

### Default

Pass a native video URL with `src`. The required `title` provides a concise accessible name for the video.

```jsx
<MinimalVideoPlayer
  aria-describedby="product-demo-description"
  poster="/images/example-poster.png"
  src="/example.mp4"
  title="Product interface demonstration"
/>
```

### Native source element

The component also accepts native `<source>` children.

```jsx
<MinimalVideoPlayer poster="/images/example-poster.png" title="Product interface demonstration">
  <source src="/example.mp4" type="video/mp4" />
</MinimalVideoPlayer>
```

### Disable automatic playback

`autoPlay` defaults to `true`, making the video eligible to play when it enters the viewport. Set it to `false` when playback should always begin with an explicit user action.

```jsx
<MinimalVideoPlayer
  autoPlay={false}
  poster="/images/example-poster.png"
  src="/example.mp4"
  title="Product interface demonstration"
/>
```

### Disable looping

Videos loop by default. Set `loop` to `false` when the demonstration should stop after one playback.

```jsx
<MinimalVideoPlayer
  loop={false}
  poster="/images/example-poster.png"
  src="/example.mp4"
  title="Product interface demonstration"
/>
```

### Customize control labels

Provide localized play and pause labels with `internalAccessibleLabels`. Keep `title` focused on naming the video rather than the control.

```jsx
<MinimalVideoPlayer
  autoPlay={false}
  internalAccessibleLabels={{
    play: 'Play product demonstration',
    pause: 'Pause product demonstration',
  }}
  poster="/images/example-poster.png"
  src="/example.mp4"
  title="Product interface demonstration"
/>
```

## Playback behavior

`MinimalVideoPlayer` is always muted, plays inline, and hides native controls. When `autoPlay` is enabled, it starts only while visible, pauses after leaving the viewport, and resumes after re-entering the viewport unless the viewer paused it manually.

The forwarded ref provides access to the underlying `<video>` element, but the component does not provide a higher-level programmatic playback API.

The component respects the viewer's reduced-motion preference. It suppresses initial automatic playback when reduced motion is requested and pauses playback if that preference becomes active. A viewer can still start the video with the visible play control.

## Accessibility

The `title` prop provides an accessible name for the video. It does not replace a text alternative for meaningful visual content.

For decorative motion or a demonstration that repeats information already communicated by the surrounding content, use a concise `title`. A separate description is not required because the same information is already available on the page.

For a meaningful silent demonstration, provide adjacent text that communicates the important actions and outcomes shown in the video. Associate that text with the video using the native `aria-describedby` attribute, as shown in the [default example](#default).

Use [VideoPlayer](../VideoPlayer/index.md) instead when the media needs audio, captions, seeking, volume, fullscreen controls, or a standalone viewing experience.

## Component props

`MinimalVideoPlayer` supports standard native `<video>` attributes except the playback attributes controlled by the component.

| Name                       | Type                            |                    Default                   | Required | Description                                                            |
| :------------------------- | :------------------------------ | :------------------------------------------: | :------: | :--------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `autoPlay`                 | `boolean`                       |                    `true`                    |  `false` | Plays automatically while visible when reduced motion is not requested |
| `children`                 | `React.ReactNode`               |                                              |  `false` | Accepts native `<source>` elements                                     |
| `internalAccessibleLabels` | `{play: string, pause: string}` | `{play: 'Play video', pause: 'Pause video'}` |  `false` | Sets accessible labels for the play and pause control                  |
| `loop`                     | `boolean`                       |                    `true`                    |  `false` | Repeats the video after playback ends                                  |
| `poster`                   | `string`                        |                                              |  `false` | Sets the image shown before playback begins                            |
| `src`                      | `string`                        |                                              |  `false` | Sets the native video source URL                                       |
| `title`                    | `string`                        |                                              |  `true`  | Provides an accessible name for the video                              |