video, size or quality, recommendations

[ljones]

Just want to know if I have this straight regarding video. There are basically 3 ways to use video on the web with flash. Embedding into an swf, converting to an flv format and using another player to play formats that are not flv.

With embedding the video into an swf, you can or cannot stream? Larger file sizes. Quality there?
With converting to an flv format, can stream, file size significantly smaller, but the quality may be less?
With using an external player to run formats other than flv, the file size is larger, but the quality is best, and I assume this will stream?

Using video not on the web, can use any of the previously mentioned methods, or can use third party which lays external non-flv formats over the flash piece.

I'm just rambling, but if someone can straighten me out with what to use when, plusses and minuses, it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Best regards...

[ryancbutler]

Just want to know if I have this straight regarding video. There are basically 3 ways to use video on the web with flash. Embedding into an swf, converting to an flv format and using another player to play formats that are not flv.

Three basic ways, yes.

With embedding the video into an swf, you can or cannot stream? Larger file sizes. Quality there?

Can't stream, increases the file size of the movie playing the video, quality usually isn't impacted in most cases.

With converting to an flv format, can stream, file size significantly smaller, but the quality may be less?

FLV format you can stream if you use a streaming video server from Macromedia, I forget the exact name. The file size of the movie playing the video is significantly reduced because you link to it from the movie. The quality isn't impacted in most cases.

With using an external player to run formats other than flv, the file size is larger, but the quality is best, and I assume this will stream?

Not real familiar with other players but the file size is determined by the video file, quality shouldn't be affected and it won't stream unless its on a streaming video server.

Using video not on the web, can use any of the previously mentioned methods, or can use third party which lays external non-flv formats over the flash piece.

Not sure what you mean.

I'm just rambling, but if someone can straighten me out with what to use when, plusses and minuses, it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Good questions. It depends on a variety of factors. A general rule of thumb, the video should be no larger than 15MB. Dial-up users are pretty much the odd duck out because of bandwidth limitations. Streaming servers are not cheap.

[ljones]

Thanks for that rapid response ryancbutler!

Quote:
Using video not on the web, can use any of the previously mentioned methods, or can use third party which lays external non-flv formats over the flash piece.

Quote:
Not sure what you mean.

If the deliverable media was a CD, you could use a non flv format for the video and the video would be placed over top of the flash content without having the actual player "wrapper, assets", so you would retain the quality while still appearing as though the video is part "inside" of the flash piece. This way would avoid going through the conversion process.

I just wish for everything for nothing...like a client. :eek:
Thanks again.