best video encoders for Mac

[Off Top]

Hi,

As stated in this thread, I'm looking for a way to stream video from a flash file, similar to this site, where the video plays while it's still downloading.

A member suggested Turbine Video Encoder, which looks great... but doesn't appear to work for Macs (my client uses them).

I was wondering what are the best programs that do. I also need to be able to add commercials and other swf's within the same file.

Thanks

[Jonathan_B]

Hi.
If you want to encode high quality Flash video on Mac you have three basic choices:
-My company, Wildform, creates the Flix Flash video encoders. It's available in Lite and Pro versions for Windows and Mac. For more information: www.wildform.com
-Sorenson makes the Squeeze product that is available for Windows and Mac.
-Macromedia Flash MX 2004 produces Flash video and is availble for Windows and Mac.
There are free demos available for all these products.
The Turbine video encoder (which is for Windows only) exports low resolution image sequence video and does not use an MX video codec that takes advantage of the Flash video quality available since the release of the Flash 6 player.
jb

[Off Top]

thanks, that was very informative

I was trying to use this for Swish if possible, so MX' technology isn't a requirement. But since Swish is Windows only too, I may have to go with something else anyway.

In your opinion, is exporting to FLV (in wildform or sorenson) better than exporting to swf? And if so, why?

[Jonathan_B]

FLV output offers certain advantages over SWF video, such as unlimited play length and file size (FLV files do not have the 16,000 frame limit or RAM consumption issues of SWF files) and superior performance when played from a CD-ROM. SWF video offers features such as embedded Flash functions and greater player compatibility (FLV files play only in Flash 7+ player, while MX SWF files play in the Flash 6+ player).
SWF files produced on Windows or Mac should work on either platform without a problem.
jb

[Off Top]

I thought FLV files were imported into MX and converted to swf.

The user is actually playing a FLV on their end, from Flash 7?

[Jonathan_B]

Hi.
FLV files (that have the latest and correct headers, like the ones produced by Flix Pro 4) will play in the Flash 7 player and can also be imported into Macromedia Flash.
SWF files (using the MX video codec) will play in the Flash 6 or 7 players and cannot be imported into Flash - but they can be brought into your existing Flash projects using LoadMovie.
jb

[Off Top]

With loadmovie, does the movie play while it's downloading?

is there any way to tell which format this is in? It's really the perfect example of what I need.

Basically I need to be able to do this exactly, complete with the advertisement playing before the main movie.

[Jonathan_B]

With LoadMovie, the file will play using "progressive download" which means the file starts to play immediately and it downloads to the viewer's computer as it plays.
For the viewer the experience is much the same as "streaming".
We have many LoadMovie tutorials at:
www.wildform.com/tutorials
jb

[Off Top]

thanks again

I guess now my only question is what's the main difference between Flix and Sorenson (for the purposes I need).

I know you're not an unbiased source, but you definitely seem informed.

[Wheels]

The main difference is that Sorenson doesn't give that much support, Wildform has a site packed full of tutorials and resources.

Technically, the difference is that Squeeze offers a feature called stitching - which I have never had a reason to use, and it's only good if you use their players - which aren't that great.