Report continuous play

  • The setContinuousPlayback() method in the IMA SDK for Android can be used to inform the SDK if the player is intended to continuously play videos similar to a TV broadcast.

  • Setting setContinuousPlayback() to true ensures that the returned ads are suitable for a continuous play environment.

  • The setAdWillAutoPlay() method is used to indicate whether the player will automatically start playing ads or require user interaction.

  • A table is provided to guide the appropriate use of setContinuousPlayback() and setAdWillAutoPlay() based on different video content scenarios.
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The IMA SDK for Android allows for setting the continuous play context for an ads request. The setContinuousPlayback() method notifies the SDK whether the player intends to continuously play the content videos one after another, similar to a TV broadcast. When set to true, the ads returned from the request are those designated by the ads server as suitable for continuous play. Not calling this method leaves the setting as unknown. The following sample demonstrates how to set continuous play in an ads request. 
AdsRequest request = mSdkFactory.createAdsRequest();
request.setAdTagUrl(adTagUrl);
request.setContinuousPlayback(true);
adsLoader.requestAds(request);
 For those using the Exoplayer-IMA extension, version 2.13 or later, or the BasicExample which implements the extension, the following sample shows how to set continuous play. 
@Override
protected void onCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState) {
    super.onCreate(savedInstanceState);
    setContentView(R.layout.activity_my);

    playerView = findViewById(R.id.player_view);

    ImaAdsLoader.Builder builder = new ImaAdsLoader.Builder(this).setContinuousPlayback(true);
    adsLoader = builder.build();
}

How continuous play differs from ad auto-play

The IMA SDK for Android also allows for setting whether the player will start playing automatically or wait for user action to begin playing. This is done using the setAdWillAutoPlay() method. When set to true, the ads returned are those designated by the ads server as suitable for an auto-play environment.

This table details when to request ads for continuous play and auto-play, based on the video content the ads are paired with.

Video Content Parameter for setContinuousPlayback() Parameter for setAdWillAutoPlay()
A single content video that plays upon user interaction false false
A single content video that autoplays false true
A video playlist that plays the first video upon user interaction but autoplays the following videos true false
A video playlist that autoplays the first video and autoplays the following videos true true