Pass text box value to javascript function when a button is pressed <script language="javascript"> //—– PLAY —– function vlc_play(uri1) { vlc_player1.play(uri1); } </script> <input id='uri' value='http://www.some_domain.com/duck.mp4' size=70 type='text'><button onclick="vlc_play($('#uri').val())">Play</button>