i just wanted to know if anyone have been playing around with FLV’s
and what kind of stuff they are doing maybe leave some links?
Visit : www.FLVplayer.com
especially samples section.
I’m doing a copy/paste from an e-mail I had sent to a boss a little while back:
** FLASH VIDEO**
I found out that Flash player versions 6 and 7 support a Flash video format with the file extension of .FLV. We played around with this before using Wilform’s Flix software. Previously our tests produced bad quality videos, now knowing it was because we were not using the Sorenson codecs.
The advantage behind this format is that the user only needs the Flash 6 or 7 plug-in. They do not need QuickTime or any other video software. This seems to be the only reason to use the format, as the standard and Pro Sorenson codec to create QuickTime movies produces the highest quality videos.
Another advantage is if you wanted to use Flash for it’s interactivity and/or scripting. Though I did find out that QuickTime is also capable of detecting a user’s connection speed. But as we all know, there are issues with users having QuickTime installed.
You can also build a skin for your video using Flash, and possibly put that on a DHTML layer above the page (Not sure if it could be draggable).
** COMPRESSION**
To create these video files you need a codec, Sorenson Spark, which is included in the Sorenson Squeeze 3.5 package.
I have not yet seen any examples of FLV videos compressed for modem users. I wouldn’t expect very good quality. Sorenson suggests a data rate of 1.5KBytes for a 28.8 Modem. This is so close to zero (or no video) that I just laughed. I would probably push this a little higher. Also to note, video compressed for modem users is much better if you have a simple subject, such as a person talking.
To create FLV files you can compress them using a program like Media Cleaner, or a cheaper solution is that now you can do it right out of Flash MX 2004. I am sensing that you need Flash MX 2004 Professional, which is not the version included in the IU Macromedia set, but not sure. Obviously video capture hardware and software, and editing software.
** FLASH VERSION**
The only downside: the user must have the Flash 6 or higher player. I’m still looking for numbers on the prevalence of Flash 6. Macromedia published that Flash 6 is on 92.5% of computers.
Here are some resources I found:
Flash Video
http://www.informit.com/isapi/guide~flash/seq_id~76/guide/content.asp
http://www.harvestermusic.com/film_tv2/aboutflash.html
Sorenson Squeeze™ 3.5 for Macromedia® Flash MX ($119.00)
http://www.sorenson.com/application_custom/en/store/more_info.php?product_id=31
Quality Video for the Web - FAQ
(Data rates at the bottom)
http://www.sorenson.com/content.php?pageID=132
Working with Video in Flash Presentation
http://www.macromedia.com/devnet/mx/flash/video/presentation/
Flash Video Resources
http://www.macromedia.com/devnet/mx/flash/video.html
Flash Player Version Penetration
http://www.macromedia.com/software/player_census/flashplayer/version_penetration.html
Skinned Flash Video Demo
http://www.checkm8.com/library/?PRODUCT=81
http://demo1.checkm8.com/checkm8/pages/Lycos_BudweiserVideoDemo.htm?1078861329402b877eb979b
