Description
Playcena replaces the display of native WordPress videos with a responsive player that supports horizontal, vertical and square layouts, a floating mini-player and self-managed sponsor campaigns.
Video references and campaign data remain in WordPress. The plugin supports the Media Library, its reusable Video Center, the Playcena block, shortcodes, YouTube, Vimeo, MP4 files and HLS when the visitor’s browser provides native HLS support.
Main features
- Replaces the native WordPress video output without changing the saved post content.
- Horizontal 16:9, vertical 9:16 and square 1:1 layouts.
- Media Library, YouTube, YouTube Shorts, Vimeo, MP4 and native browser HLS.
- Floating mini-player that returns the player to its original position when closed.
- Self-managed pre-roll sponsor campaigns with optional skipping and destination links.
- Campaign rotation by position, content, Brazilian region or state, device, schedule and anonymous browser frequency limits.
- Local statistics for starts, completions, skips and clicks.
- Reusable Video Center, Gutenberg block and
[playcena]shortcode.
For the widest advertising compatibility, use MP4 commercials optimized for web delivery.
Privacy
Playcena stores video, campaign and post identifiers, event type, playback position, duration and date in the site’s WordPress database. To support anonymous frequency controls, it creates an irreversible technical identifier from the IP address, browser information and the salts of that WordPress installation. The readable IP address is not stored.
The visitor’s browser may use local storage to keep a recent campaign history. Playcena adds suggested disclosure text to the WordPress Privacy Policy Guide. The site administrator is responsible for determining consent requirements and retention periods under the laws that apply to the site.
External services
Playcena does not send playback statistics to Belli Code or Playcena. Statistics remain in the site’s WordPress installation.
When a site administrator publishes a YouTube URL, the visitor’s browser may request a thumbnail from i.ytimg.com and load the player from youtube-nocookie.com. These requests may provide Google with technical information such as the visitor’s IP address, browser and request metadata. This service is subject to the YouTube Terms of Service and the Google Privacy Policy.
When a site administrator publishes a Vimeo URL, the visitor’s browser loads the player from player.vimeo.com. This request may provide Vimeo with technical information such as the visitor’s IP address, browser and request metadata. This service is subject to the Vimeo Terms of Service and the Vimeo Privacy Policy.
Self-hosted MP4 files do not require those external services. If an administrator provides a media URL hosted on another domain, the visitor’s browser connects to the domain selected by that administrator.
Blocks
This plugin provides 1 block.
- Video
Installation
- In WordPress, go to Plugins > Add New.
- Search for Playcena, or upload the provided ZIP file.
- Install and activate the plugin.
- Open Playcena > Settings and select the default player layout.
- To use self-managed advertising, create campaigns under Playcena > Sponsors.
- Add a video to a post, use the Playcena block, or insert the
[playcena]shortcode.
FAQ
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Does Playcena require Cloudflare?
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No. Countrywide campaigns work with any compatible WordPress hosting provider. State-level targeting depends on location headers supplied by the hosting provider or CDN.
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Are videos, campaigns or statistics deleted during routine updates?
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After a clean Playcena installation, routine Playcena updates replace plugin files while preserving videos, campaigns, settings and statistics. Data is removed during uninstall only when the administrator has explicitly enabled the removal option.
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What does the Video Center do?
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It lets administrators register a media item once and reuse it in different posts through the block or shortcode, with its own layout and advertising configuration.
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Where are statistics stored?
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Statistics are stored in a custom table in the site’s own WordPress database. They are not transmitted to Belli Code or Playcena.
Reviews
There are no reviews for this plugin.
Contributors & Developers
“Playcena” is open source software. The following people have contributed to this plugin.
Contributors
Translate “Playcena” into your language.
Interested in development?
Browse the code, check out the SVN repository, or subscribe to the development log by RSS.
Changelog
1.0.23
- Corrects the Playcena icon dimensions in the WordPress administration menu.
- Makes every recommended workflow step a direct, accessible link to its corresponding administration screen.
1.0.22
- Introduces a redesigned, responsive administration experience for the dashboard, reports, settings, videos and campaigns.
- Standardizes all plugin declarations and stored data with the unique
playcena_prefix. - Removes automatic interaction with other plugins and site-wide cache purges.
- Requires WordPress nonce validation for every AJAX request that processes player data.
- Improves input limits, diagnostics, mobile statistics and empty states.
1.0.21
- Prepares the plugin for the WordPress.org directory requirements.
- Declares GPLv2-or-later licensing and Belli Code authorship.
- Adds the WordPress Privacy Policy Guide disclosure.
- Strengthens nonce validation, input sanitization, output escaping and custom-table queries.
- Documents optional YouTube and Vimeo connections.
1.0.20
- Makes the close button dismiss only the mini-player and restore the player to its original post position.
- Pauses the commercial or content when the mini-player is closed and requires a new play action to continue.
- Prevents the mini-player from reopening while the visitor continues scrolling down.
- Restores automatic mini-player behavior after the original player returns to the viewport.