The process of streaming Flash Video begins with encoding your source media to a Flash Video format (a file with .FLV extension) and follows by the creation of a Flash movie file (a file with .SWF extension). All popular streaming formats (e.g. QuickTime, Real Media, and Windows Media) use a software player that connects to the media server and streams live streams or video files that were recorded before and are now stored on the media server (a process called media-on-demand).
Macromedia did not release yet an official "Flash Video Player". Instead, they enabled Flash player version 6 and up to stream video. This added a great functionality to the Flash Player and was a brilliant marketing move, but at the same time created lot of confusion. The public expects from a new streaming technologies to work the same way others do. Streaming video with Flash technology has advantages and disadvantages. The major advantage is the ability to fully customize the player and integrate streaming files in Flash movies. Many websites use Flash movies to deliver a rich experience. The Flash player is present on 93% of computers worldwide. Flash was used traditionally to add motion and sound to static web pages designed before with HTML pages and images. Websites that deliver content using Flash can integrate streaming files in their presentation without redirecting visitors to another section of the site or launching additional pages to display video. Developers who are familiar with Flash authoring can change completely the look and feel of the video player. This capability differentiates Flash from other open source players such as QuickTime, Real, and the Windows Media. Customizing these players is more complicated. Flash developers can truly see the advantage of using Flash Video, but what about the average person?
Flash Video technology was not intended to be used only by developers. The biggest disadvantage of Flash Video is that it requires authoring knowledge and a license copy of Macromedia Flash MX/2004.
Creating Flash Video Files
STEP 1: MEDIA PREPARATION
1.1 It is recommended to purchase Sorenson Squeeze to encode Flash Video files. Flash 2004 can create Flash Video files, but many people confirmed that Sorenson Squeeze does a job better.
1.2 Sorenson Squeeze does not support capture of media from a live source. You can not connect a camera or VCR to your computer and use Sorenson Squeeze to prepare Flash Video files. Use a 3rd party capture cards like Winnov (hyperlink) or Osprey (hyperlink) to capture an AVI file, or export a QuickTime or AVI file from your none-linear editing system.
1.3 Import the QuickTime or AVI file to Sorenson Squeeze. Click on "File/Import". Point to the file you want to use and click enter.
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