Remotely-hosted Media in Islandora

Two different ways to support remotely-hosted media, via oEmbed providers and HTML embed code.

Ingredients

• To support embed code: Entity Media Embed Code
• To expand the oEmbed providers:
  • oEmbed Providers
  • New Media Sources, configured below
• New Media Types, configured below

Instructions

Embed code

The Embed Code media type allows any HTML media embedding (video, audio, etc.), as well as HTML5 complex items if properly written/configured.

1. Install and enable the Entity Media Embed Code module.
2. Create a new Media Type: "Embed Code"
   • Name: Embed Code
   • Description: HTML embed code to display remotely-hosted content.
   • Media source: Embed code
   • Field with source information:
     • If a field to contain embed code does not already exist (i.e. field_media_embed_code), choose "Create"
     • Otherwise, choose the appropriate existing field
3. Add and configure the appropriate fields:
   • "Insert embed code" should already be there
   • Re-use the existing "Media Of" and "Media Use" fields

oEmbed remote endpoints

oEmbed allows supported remote content to be displayed using just a link. Out of the box, Islandora supports Vimeo and YouTube links via the Remote Video meda source. This recipe expands these options.

1. Install and enable the oEmbed Providers module.
2. Configure the module:
   • Allow external fetch of providers from https://oembed.com/providers.json
   • Add custom providers if yours is not in the default list
   • Create a Provider Bucket, selecting all the providers you wish to make available
3. Create a new Media Type: "oEmbed Remote Media"
   • Name: oEmbed Remote Media
   • Description: Remotely-hosted media from an oEmbed provider
   • Media source: oEmbed Providers
4. Add and configure the appropriate fields:
   • New field:
     • "oEmbed Providers URL" (field_media_oembed_video)
     • Type: text (plain)
   • Re-use the existing "Media Of" and "Media Use" fields

Adding media

When creating your Repository Items and adding media, select the media type of your choice (Embed Code, or oEmbed Remote Media). Fill in the fields as appropriate.

• If entering Embed Code, acquire the appropriate embed code from your source, and paste the full HTML into the embed code field.
• If entering an oEmbed link, just paste the link into the URL field.

Under "Media Use", choose Service File. This will allow your media to be displayed on the Repository Item node page.

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Last update: January 28, 2026