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[stuntpig]

Am I the only one having difficulties with video?

It seems that the embed video only works with small files, which is fine since most of my stuff is web, but when I link to a large .mov file nothing shows up in the flash player?

I'm debating on talking my co-workers into creating our next company promotional cd entirely with Flash MX. The only hitch has been the lack of video support in prior flash versions. We would be incorporating large video files on a hybrid cd. Any suggestions...

[temnatl]

I just imported a 15 minute Mpg file into one scene of a multimedia cd that I am creating.. It takes forever and a day.. but it works, sound works, etc....


It added over 8000 frames to my scene... so be prepared for a big file... my projector file for this project is 300 mb...


hope that helped.

[PAlexC]

Well, if you're deploying on CD I would just ship everything as a projector. You don't have an content that NEEDS to be in a browser, right? So screw it. Commit to MX for standalones.

[maddox2112]

How big is big. I'm working on a CDROM project for a client also and I was able to embed a 90 meg quicktime (approx 2 and 1/2 minutes of video). But I did run into a bizarre problem. I'm working on a Mac. When I imported the video in OS 9.22 I kept getting an error message in Flash that I didn't have enough memory, even when I allocated Flash 400 Megs. When I tried again in OS 10.1 everything went smoothly and it took all of 10 minutes.

I should also note, before I embedded the video, I dumped it from Final Cut into Cleaner and compressed it with Sorenson 3. From what I've been seeing on the boards this seems to work the best.

[creativepointe]

First off you can't link to a .mov file unless you are outputing to quicktime, this isn't a swf or projector feature. I've gotten alot of video in Flash, but you need to compress it if it's going to be long. The best way to to do this is with Sorenson's Squeeze for flash. http://www.sorenson.com It works great and makes beautiful and small files. You could also check into Flix 2.1 at http://www.wildforms.com they both have their advantages.
[Edited by creativepointe on 03-27-2002 at 01:43 PM]

[dcullipher]

I have found that if the video is compressed with sorenson 3 it will give you out of memory errors on Mac os 9. Even with 600M assigned to Flash MX.

If you take the same video and compress it with Cinpak and 100 quality it will be a larger file but import fine.

[JHarlequin]

I am currently dealing with the same issuse of using Flash's new video capabilities on CD-ROM. Am creating for a 50 mb card and I am using Sorenson Squeeze for the PC to create a .flv file to import into my Flash movie. If you want to make a Hybrid Mac PC compatible and you are worried about file size then don't import your video directly into your main Flash movie. If you are creating a PC and a Mac Projector file then you will in actuality have 2 copies of that video on the CD. You need to make a separate .swf file that contains your video. Then have the projector files call for that 1 swf file. The 2 projectors(hqx and exe) can both then share the video.

[Jonathan_B]

WILDFORM RELEASES FLIX 2.1 – FEATURING FLASH MX VIDEO

Wildform is pleased to announce the release of Flix 2.1, which features Flash MX (Flash version 6) video output. This makes Flix the only software that outputs all types of Flash video: the new, high quality Flash MX video, the ubiquitous Flash 3-5 video, and Flix’s one-of-a-kind vector video.

MX video uses high quality video compression that is comparable to Quicktime, Windows Media Player, and Real. Flix offers both 1-pass and 2-pass VBR MX video encoding. [Note: MX video output plays only in the Flash 6 player.]

Flix still outputs Flash 3-5 video (according to a December, 2001 NPD Research study, 98.3% of all Web users have Flash 3-5 installed), as well as its unique vector video that consists only of lines and curves defined by mathematical equations that can scale to any size without distortion (Flix’s vector video plays in any Flash player 3-6).

Flix also outputs many additional files, such as audio only files, projectors, and html code, and it comes loaded with many time saving features (such as batch, bandwidth control, links, play controls and variables) designed to enable users to encode video, add their own customized elements and post it on the web in minutes.

Flix 2.1 is $129, and each license also includes $100 in video from the Wildform Video Library as well as access to Wildform’s customer only resource section.

Flix 2.1 is available for Windows. Mac version due out within a week.

To buy Flix 2.1 (Win) go to:
www.wildform.com/buy

To download a demo a Flix 2.1 (Win) go to:
http://<a rel="nofollow" href="http:...s/cnet.php</a>

To view Flix’s MX video samples and for more information on Flix 2.1, check out:
http://www.wildform.com/flix/index.php

Flix 2.1 feature list:
http://www.wildform.com/flix/features_flix.php

Flix 1.x license holders can upgrade to Flix 2.1 for $30 here:
http://www.wildform.com/videolibrary...code_enter.php

Flix 2.0 license holders can upgrade for free to Flix 2.1 here:
http://www.wildform.com/flix/download/index.php

Have questions about Flix 2.1 and Flash MX (Flash 6)?
http://www.wildform.com/flix/flix_and_flash.php

jb

[JHarlequin]

I just downloaded the Flix 2.1 Demo... There is an obvious reason why Flix is less expensive than Sorenson Squeeze. The quality of video compressed with Sorenson Squeeze is far superior for both image and audio. I compressed a video with both products at the same settings (as close as they allow) and the video from squeeze is clean and clear and the video from Flix came out grainy and lined with tinny audio. The other factor is that I saw no place to output a .flv file from Flix. That is an important advantage of Squeeze. Yes MX video is only playable in Flash Player 6 and Squeeze cannot make a swf file that can play in a lower version of Flash Player where as Flix can make video that is playable in version 3-6. Flix though creates swf files that are large and use more RAM than regular video might need. I have used Flix v1 in a couple of projects for CD and it did the job so I didn't have to go through with using Director. I am not in any way trying to say that Flix is obsolete now that Flash can handle real video but I am saying that for those who are using the new tools in MX will end up finding that a product like Sorenson Squeeze will do much better. Enjoy

[Jonathan_B]

Hi.
We have done several tests ourselves and the quality of Flix's Flash MX output is comparable to Sorenson Squeeze. And we back that up with a 15 day money back guarantee - something that Sorenson does not offer.
There are a number of issues involved.
1. MX defaults to 2-pass encoding. Flix defaults to 1-pass (because it's faster). So if you use the 1-pass, chances are your video won't look as good.
2. The Flix demo puts in a watermark (for obvious reasons). This watermark adds size to the file and slightly distorts the image because of the nature of the MX video compression. The full version of the software does a much better job. We are working on an alternative. But until then, the best way to check out what Flix output really looks like is to view the sample videos on our site at www.wildform.com - click on the MX video jukebox link. As you will see, Wildform has included many sample videos encoded at multiple bitrates (unlike Sorenson's website which has very few demos).
- Flix defaults to lower audio bitrate settings, which can easily be increased, if you want better audio quality. Since Flix and Squeeze both use mp3 audio, the audio output is essentially identical.
- Flix output swf's, whether they are MX or Flash 3-5 are not larger and do not use up any more ram than Sorenson Squeeze (of course Squeeze can not output Flash 3-5 video). The Flix Flash 3-5 video uses advanced memory management to prevent ram problems.
- And of course, Flix comes loaded with features, from vector video output, to automated swf functions, that Sorenson Squeeze does not offer.

I suggest to serious customers to check out Wildform Flix 2.1. As I mentioned previously, we back up our software with a 15 day money back guarantee.

jb
www.wildform.com

[JHarlequin]

My experience with Flix v1 was that output sizes were nearly double the file size of the input. So I realized that I did not do the 2-Pass VBR so I retried my video using the demo. My results were nearly the same. What I forgot to mention in my last post was that my video lost sync with my audio and when I retried it did it again. My video was skippy and very grainy and lined once again. Still I have no option to create a .flv file. All my stting for the second time around were set to the max possible, max bitrate for audio and video, 100% image quality, etc. The original uncompressed .mov file was 450 mb in size. When I compressed it with Squeeze the Flv file was 9mb. The FLV file is normally a larger file then it resulting swf format usually by more than double. When I compressed it with Flix V2.1 the size as a swf was 7mb. The quality of the end result Squeezed swf is much much cleaner. The end swf size of my entire project with the imported flv is only 7mb. I am sure that the water mark and added audio of the demo is going to effect the video quality a little but this is a bit much. Now I could get the full version and try it out and have the opportunity to get my money back which is very convenient but how could the quality in the demo be so much different than that of the full. If it is the case than why even have the demo. It just made me not like the product. Believe me I want Flix to be the solution to the problems that exists with trying to make video in Flash but when I am using my projects for CD using a projector file... I eant the best quality and that is qute simply still from Sorenson Squeeze.

[JHarlequin]

wow I need to spell check before I submit..
hehe

[scrawl]

I've been doing some experiments with video and Flash MX ( testing whether my next CD-ROM project will be done entirely in Flash or Director)... so far I'm not too happy.

My main problem is if you create a projector that contains a 30 minute video, it will load the whole thing into memory before playing. Hence some the of unusually long load times some people might be experiencing.

This is not too bad if you have 500+ mb RAM, but try running the projector on a 32mb PC. Task manager showed the Projector sucking up 120MB memory for a 1.5 minute video.

My next experiment is to create a blank Projector with a simple Loadmovie action (loading an external .swf with the video). I'm hoping that the external file will stream rather than load all at once, though I suspect it won't.

- Leo

[Jonathan_B]

JHarlequin, I'm happy for you that you feel so strongly about Squeeze, but I humbly disagree.
I will post some comparisons for you and others to view. When I have them, I'll post the link here.
We will address the demo issues soon.
I suggest people try for themselves. With Flix you get 200% more features at 40% the price.
jb

[Jonathan_B]

Scrawl,
You are correct about the way the Flash player handles CD swf's.
We suggest that you not create SWF's larger than 50 MB, but you can make them smaller. Then you need to load them in sequentially. (By the way, our software Flix has an automatic feature allowing you to load a new swf at the end of your current swf.)
With your Mac projectors, you have to make sure to allocate enough memory, or it won't work with people using any OS before OSX.
jb
www.wildform.com

[edan]

the video will stream as long as it is in the main timeline (not in a MC).Saving video to a separate swf is a very good thing to do.

[JHarlequin]

I do not want to be knocking down at your product, which it obviously seems like it is, but I am not saying what I say because I am in love with Squeeze or even that I have anything against Wildform or Flix. I am simply saying what has happened for me so that others out there who read these forums may relate or contrast or even help me. It just seems to me like there is very little for Flix to stand on when in my own non-biased testing Squeeze comes out with the better quality. Now I am in no way dicouraging others from trying Flix... infact I encourage the to gather your own findings but in my 6 mo using Flix v1 and now seeing v2 the results of my testing are still there. Even the video demos on the wildform site do not compare even though they were obviously made for the web. The statement of 400% more options is a little much when those options don't get you 400% further. Yes Flix is the answer for version for Flash 3-5. There is no question or competition.

[JHarlequin]

Originally posted by edan
the video will stream as long as it is in the main timeline (not in a MC).Saving video to a separate swf is a very good thing to do.

I had the same exact problem with video in Flash. I only had a 4 min video and it took about 5-30 seconds to load on computers from a CD. That's no good because the honest truth is that Flash cannot preload video into RAM by streaming like a video might from the web. I had extensive talks with MM techs about this very topic and they said that this is a new thing for them to have to deal with. They are now realizing that more and more people are going to want to put out bigger and bigger videos and at the moment the only thing you can do is wait for it to load while the rest of your movie stands still. It does not work the same as the web where you are downloading the file. It is a problem that MM is going to be working on. I doubt it will be anything solved in a patch rather it may be done for v7. For a 30 min video your only real option (as sad as it seems for Flash users like us) is to use Director for now. Or you can have Flash call on an external player like quicktime for mac or windows media player for pc. You will just now have something else playing your video over your flash movie. That is the cheap less design friendly method.

[JHarlequin]

Misquoted the 400% I apologize but my point still works with 200%

[stuntpig]

Thanks for all the responses. This has been one of the most helpfull message boards I've been on in a while.

I used OS 10 and everything imports fine. Now we are testing to see what the best combination of compression is. Some of our raw files are a gig or more. Maybe we are asking to much of flash, but hey, they said they do video so we are going to push.

My next issue is...

Has anyone had any problems with the playback speed of larger (non-web size) video in the player or projector? For example will the player control the playback speed, or will the video be able to play without being slowed down by the player? I don't even know if that made sense, but any comments would be greatly appreciated.