how to register rtsp protocol in firefox 9 so it would be played in VLC instead of Real Media

Question

VLC is able to handle rtsp links without any other codecs installed on the system. Manually copying and pasting a link that contains rtsp with 3gp stream works fine.

But when I click the same rtsp link in Firefox I get this:

Firefox doesn't know how to open this address,
because the protocol (rtsp) isn't associated with any program.

It seems there is not possible to add a new protocol in Tools->Options->Applications dialog.

Answer 1

RTSP is a protocol. This mozillaZine article notes two ways of registering it :

Updating about:config

1. Type about:config into the Location Bar (address bar) and press Enter.
2. Right-click -> New -> Boolean -> Name: network.protocol-handler.expose.rtsp.
   Set its value to false .
3. Next time you click a link of protocol-type rtsp you will be asked which application to open it with. Enter C:\Program Files\VideoLan\VLC\vlc.exe (or whatever it is).

Registry editing

Make a rtsp.reg file and add the following:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\rtsp]
@="Real Time Streaming Protocol"
"URL Protocol"=""
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\rtsp\shell]
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\rtsp\shell\open]
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\rtsp\shell\open\command]
@="\"C:\\Program Files\\VideoLan\\VLC\\vlc.exe\" \"%1\""

Double click and add to registry.

Make sure the VLC Firefox plugins npvlc.dll and vlcintf.xpt are installed in Firefox plugin folder.