Flash File Encoding

How to Produce a Flash File for Streaming

Before you can stream a file from a Flash (Wowza) streaming server, the clip must be in an appropriate file format.  The extension .flv is supported, along with .mp4 (MPEG-4) and .m4v as long as the file is encoded with the H.264 codec.  While it is perfectly acceptable to produce .flv files for use with the OIT Wowza Media Server, H.264-encoded .mp4 or .m4v files are preferable for the following reasons: 

Why H.264

  • H.264 is becoming an industry standard
  • H.264-encoded MPEG-4 files are likely to have a relatively long shelf life
  • The H.264 codec offers high quality video playback, comparable to the best codecs available for producing .flv files
  • Players that will allow you to view .flv files locally on your desktop are not as common as players that support H.264-encoded MPEG-4.
  • Tools for editing H.264-encoded MPEG-4 are much more common and more fully developed than tools for editing .flv files

FLV Desktop Video Players

While less common than MPEG-4 players, there are a few options for viewing .flv files on your local machine.  Listed below are two flv players that will work as stand-alone applications

  1. Applian Technologies' FLV Player
  2. Wimpy Player (available for Mac & PC)

Encoding Applications

Quicktime Player Pro ($30)

Quicktime Pro is the upgrade from the free version of Quicktime Player from Apple.  If you do not have Quicktime Pro you can purchase the software from Apple.  Click here to visit the Apple Store.

Quickstart Guide -Encoding to MPEG-4/ H.264

QuickTime Pro will allow you to export an MPEG-4 file that can be streaming from the OIT Flash (Wowza) server.  To be compatible with this server, your file must use teh H.264 codec.  Follow these steps:

  1. Install or upgrade to Quicktime Pro.
  2. Open the source file with Quicktime Pro
  3. File > Export
  4. Enter the name you want to save your file as
  5. Tick the export arrow and choose Movie to MPEG-4
  6. Click Options 
  7. Under Video Format check H.264 form the drop down menu
  8. Other settings will be determined by the delivery platforms as well as the target audience
  9. Click OK
  10. Make sure you have the correct name for the file
  11. Click Save

Quickstart Guide -- Encoding to FLV via QuickTime Pro plus Adobe Flash ($250.00)

The ability to export from QuickTime Pro to FLV is present if you have purchased and installed Adobe Flash. You must first install QuickTime Pro, and then install Adobe Flash.   Follow these steps:

  1. Install or upgrade to Quicktime Pro.
  2. Open the source file with Quicktime Pro
  3. File > Export
  4. Enter the name you want to save your file as
  5. Tick the export arrow and choose Movie to FLV
  6. Click Options 
  7. Select the profile that you would like to encode with--high quality or medium.
  8. You can choose your own custom encoding options by opening each tab and selecting the preferred encoding setting
  9. Other settings will be determined by the delivery platforms as well as the target audience
  10. Click OK
  11. Make sure you have the correct setting and click SAVE
  12. The Video will now be encoded
  13. You can view the finished clip with a FLV player.

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ON2 Flix Standard ($39)

This is basic encoder form ON2 technologies.  It is available for both the Mac & PC.  It will encode all of the major input formats and it can even output a HTML page to play your video with. 

This next level of encoder from ON2 Technologies is the Flix Pro ($249).  This is consider one of the best encoding applications for consumers & professionals.  To read more about the pro version click here.

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Sorenson Squeeze 5 ($499) Pro ($599)

Sorenson Squeeze is considered one of the leading encoding applications.  Its is the one of the few batch encoding tools available for Mac & PC.  It can be used to encode video not only for the web but CD and DVD use.  The Pro vesrion includes Sorenson Spark Pro, Sorenson MPEG-4 Pro and Sorenson H..264 codecs.

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Adobe Flash Video Encoder

This is not to be confused with the Flash Media Encoder.  Flash Video Encoder is a stand alone application that allows you to encode video into the FLV format.  The Flash Video Encoder uses the ON2 VP6 codec which is used with FLash Player 8 and greater.  It also uses the Sorenson Spark codec for Flash Player 7.  The use of codec will depend on your end user.  If you anticipate your audience using older computers then the use of Sorenson Spark would be recommended.

NOTE: Adobe Video Encoder exports a .flv file only

 Quickstart Guide

  1. Start the encoder by selecting Start > All Programs > Adobe Flash Video Ecoder or it may be inside a folder in the start menu if you installed an Adobe Collection.
  2. You can drag files into the encoder or click the Add Button and navigate to the files which you would like ot encode.  TIP: you can select multiple files to encode.
  3. Click Settings.  You can use the predefined settings provided or customize the output settings.  Your choice of settings will be most likely be determined by the delivery method of your video. 
  4. Enter a filename for the FLV file.  If you do not set a file name. the encoder will use the source video clip name with the FLV extension.
  5. Once you have your the appropriate setting click OK.
  6. Click on the Start Queue button.
  7. The encoder will begin to encode your files.  Below the cue window the status of the ended clip will appear.
  8. An Encoding Complete icon or an Error icon will appear once the video has finished encoding.  Errors are recorded into a log file.
  9. The FLV files are encoded into the same folder as the source video file.

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Riva FLV Encoder

Riva FLV Encoder is a free video encoder that can be downloaded from the Riva site.  At the time of writing this guide the only formats that you can transcode are : AVI, MPEG, Quicktime & WMV.   The Riva encoder is based on the open source software FFMPEG.

Note:  The Riva Encoder does not support Quicktime H.264 codec.  Click here for a full list of supported codecs

Quickstart Guide

  1. Download and instal the Riva Encoder.
  2. Click Start > All Programs > Riva > Riva FLV Encoder
  3. Click the Browse button for the Input Video.  Browse to the folder containing the video in which you would like to encode.
  4. In the Output section specify the name of the clip you will be encoding.
  5. Using the Video & Audio controls set your clip for the desired encoding properties.  Again, these setting will vary depending on delivery method and target audience.
  6. The Preset is just that a preset.  You may choose to use the preset or create your own.
  7. Click the Encode button.
  8. The application will become opaque.  As of writing this guide there is no way to measure the status of the encoding clip.  If you have a lengthy clip, expect the encode time to be lengthy as well.
  9. Click preview to see the encoding results.

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Super

Super is a free multimedia software for converting your video to the FLV format as well as several other formats. Super input source formats include all the standard codecs including the H.264 & MPEG-4.  It also has support for RealMedia and open source codecs such as OGG. For a complete list of video, audio & image files support by Super click here.

Quickstart Guide for MP4 H.264 codec

  1. Download Super from this site.  The download link is located at the bottom of the page.
  2. Click Start > All Programs > Super
  3. Right-click in the Super window and deselect Stay on top of all.
  4. Select the Output container and choose mp4
  5. Next select the H.264 in the Output Video Codec dropdown
  6. Set your video settings.  Again, this will be dependent upon the delivery method or end user.
  7. In the dialog box at the bottom of Super, you can drop a file or right-click and browse for a file
  8. Check your settings to make sure they are correct.
  9. Right-click on Super and choose Output File Saving Management.  Then tick the first box.  This will save the output file in the same place as the source file.  If you do not change this setting, the file will be saved in Program Files > eRightSoft > Super > Output.
  10. Click Encode
  11. A dialog box will open. 
  12. Enter custom metadata if you would like.
  13. Click OK.
  14. You can see the status of the encoding in the output window.
  15. The FLV will be encoded in the same folder as the source video

 Quickstart Guide for .flv file

  1. Download Super from this site.  The download link is located at the bottom of the page.
  2. Click Start > All Programs > Super
  3. Right-click in the Super window and deselect Stay on top of all.
  4. Select the Output container and choose flv or swf
  5. Set your video settings.  Again, this will be dependent upon the delivery method or end user.
  6. In the dialog box at the bottom of Super, you can drop a file or right-click and browse for a file
  7. Check your settings to make sure they are correct.
  8. Right-click on Super and choose Output File Saving Management.  Then tick the first box.  This will save the output file in the same place as the source file.  If you do not change this setting, the file will be saved in Program Files > eRightSoft > Super > Output.
  9. Click Encode
  10. A dialog box will open.  Make sure FLV is ticked. 
  11. Enter custom metadata if you would like.
  12. Click OK.
  13. You can see the status of the encoding in the output window.
  14. The FLV will be encoded in the same folder as the source video

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