Your experience using video....

[Wheels]

Originally posted by Jonathan_B
the video is presented in a matte with LOTR banners on top and bottom.

Jonathon, what is "matte with LOTR"? Did you download the Full screen or Large?

I didn't have any problems converting the audio, if you used the full screen, it may have been compiled in Live Stage Pro.

I think we should take your comment on the copyrighted material into consideration, although I don't feel it's much of an issue since we are only using it to test and not to redistribute and is sure is a handy way to get everyone involved. I don't know, anyone else have on opinion?

I don't think the double compression is much of an issue, I've seen no difference in quality between precompressed and raw. It could be an issue with some software I guess, it would be good to test both. As a developer, I often recieve files exported from After Effects, or Sorenson 3 QT .mov's via FTP. It's just easier to transfer smaller files - so it often comes down to precompressed. I'm sure this is an issue for many developers.

So I'll round up the testing on the Flash to video software side, I can currently provide testing with Sorenson Spark Pro, Manta, and Flix. Here's the start of a list, can anyone think of other's we should be including:

Flash to video software solutions:

1. Flix: http://www.wildform.com
2. Sorenson MX (Spark Pro): http://www.sorenson.com
3. Swideo: http://www.swideo.com
4. Manta Producions: http://www.mantaproductions.com/
5. Flash MX (Spark): http://www.macromedia.com

We'll need a standardized log sheet for the settings and such. PDF anyone?

I've talked to John about a sticky FAQ and another sticky thread for the video test. It's on the way. Maybe we need another for the Codec test. Either way, we'll get a couple of new threads going and put this one to rest.

5G

[gweedo]

I received the following in an email from Sorenson:

Sorenson Media is pleased to announce the official release of the Sorenson Squeeze 2.02 update for both Mac and Windows.

Current owners of any version (except the trial) of Sorenson Squeeze are entitled to this free update by downloading it from our Web site. The update can be found in the Support/Download section of the Web site and does require you to register on the site before downloading the update. There is no cost to register.

This update does require that you have a purchased version of Squeeze 2.0 already installed on your system.

Some of the new features of Squeeze 2.02 include:

- Stitching support for SWF file export (available only with Sorenson Squeeze for Macromedia Flash MX)
- Support for Microsoft AVI source files
- Improved DV Capture
- Improved video filter preview
- Keyframe interval control

Download free Squeeze 2.02 upgrade
http://www.sorenson.com/content.php?cats=5/17

Not sure if they fixed the 2055 frame limitation, though.

I think it was decided in this thread that the product/process comparison would focus on quality of compression, rather than product features (which appear to comprise the bulk of this upgrade), but for the sake of this test it would probably be best to use the the most current version of each product.

Tried to finagle some test video for the cause, but (not unexpectedly) ran into a legal brick wall.

Good luck.

[Wheels]

Hi all,

I'm back. I've been off shooting a documentary from the back of a motorcycle (man am I shot). We documented a ride from Oxford MI to NYC for 9/11. The Detroit Renegades, an outlaw gang of bikers raised $30,000 for the families of Brooklyn's FD unit #2's families and hand delivered the check. 300 bikes, 1000 stills, and hours of video. What an experience.

I posted a few stills for the bikers, if your intersted - http://www.heroesofseptember.net/911/

I'll post some video and the rest of the stills as soon as we get it all edited.

Anyway, I'll start putting together the test over the next couple of weeks. Any updates? Let me know.

5G

[mudgy]

We have completed a version of the LOTR trailer in Flash.

I am out of the office until the 23rd, so I'll post it when I get back in the office. It looks good.

See ya guys then...

[mctc]

I was reading old posts and feel like I've been cheated halfway into a good novel.

Where did the mother-of-all video posts, "Your experience Using Video..." go to. It was to compare compression schemes for flash with "Wheels" moderating a comparison test on the "Lord of the Rings" trailer. It started 8/7 and just dropped off the screen 9/14. Did everyone agree to bail out? I'm very curious as to the results.

[Wheels]

Sorry, it's just been pushed to the back burner. Jonathan and I have both been working on the upcoming Flashkit book. It's still going to happen, just a small delay.

[mudgy]

We have created the Lord of the Rings trailer in MX.

Origianl QT file was over 20M. MX file came in at approximatly 6M with interactivity.

Check it out here

[mattsavard]

Come on guys...at least all of you compress the lord of the rings video until you can agree on an uncompressed video clip to use. I just read through 7 pages of posts only to find no payoff...I am very eager to see the end result of this... Thanks to the one group who compressed the clip already....now I'd like to see the SV and Flix interpretations.....I have a need for flash-resident video for an upcoming project and would like to pick a product to use with the help of this test.

thanks
matt