Need FLV Help?

Notable users of the FLV file include Google Video, Reuters.com and YouTube.

Most FLV files use a variant of H.263 or H.264 to encode the video. MP4 / H264 can also be played by Flash Player..
So generalizing it, if you have a video file say in MPG or AVI format, you can put that video on your website by converting (through a FLV Encoder converter) it to FLV or Mp4 file.

Progressive Streaming – Introduced in Flash 7.0, in 1999/2000 this method is a low cost yet effective one for the user. An interface or video player in SWF (Flash File Format) is embedded in the HTML/Php/ASP page. This video player contains the required code to playback a FLV file from a server location. The video file is externally placed from the SWF, but can be played with what is called "object embed tags". The video plays as the file is downloaded (depending on user connection speed and bitrate/size of video) and the user need not have to wait till the whole file is download.

Pros –
1. No streaming servers are required based on monthly fees.
2. Consistent high quality playback at any good broadband connection speed.
3. Limited technical support required.
4. Easy to setup and maintain.

Cons –
1. You cannot seek forward through the video before it is completely downloaded. You need to wait until the video is downloaded before you can navigate to a particular portion of the video.
2. Because the file is downloaded, the media physically resides on the viewer's machine. Savvy users will be able to access their browser caches or temporary Internet files and retrieve the video.

This is not necessarily harmful if you have no concerns about rights management for the video. But in case you want to protect your video, then this method of streaming is definitely not for you!

FLV Hosting Media Server – This method is a more desirable, professional way of serving streaming video on web. While in progressive download the file is downloaded to the viewer's machine and played back at the same time, with RTMP streaming method the file resides on the streaming server and is not downloaded while it is played. Apart from that there is no apparent difference between progressive download. The advantages are twofold. First, your media is protected. Secondly viewers can seek to any portion of the video to view that portion virtually instantly. This is particularly helpful if you have long hours of training material on your website.

Pros –
1. Ability to handle huge user load.
2. Immediate random access to different parts of a movie.
3. Video remains on server (cannot be saved by viewers).
4. Supports Live Streaming Broadcast via capture card or webcam
5. Supports custom players, and some mobile devices

Cons –
1. Not easy to setup for the average person. (FLV Hosting provides a simple upload /integration interface)
2. Server licensing fees (to set up on your own) more costly than progressive download.

Which should be your choice?
If you are looking for a low cost effective solution to put videos on your website and you have a low to moderate traffic then Progressive Streaming technique is your best option.
If you have a pretty heavy user load  and you are concerned about your media rights then you definitely need a streaming server setup.
FLV Hosting provides Progressive and Server RTMP streaming in a low cost account plans and dedicated Media Servers

Media servers are are less prone to security threats (RTMP versus http)

More information on Progressive Streaming and Flash Server Streaming

FLV hosting uses RTMP MEDIA SERVER for large size (20 mins or more) video streaming and server side recording

The Flash Player browser plugin can play an FLV, but that FLV, must be either embedded in or linked to a SWF. That is, you can't just put the actual FLV on an HTML page. You can however reference the FLV file using action script and SWF (the player controls) which now opens up the door to brand your player, add colors and logos, skins, and links to further information.

Flash Player, the embedded plugin that is in 98% of all internet browsers, and allows playback of Flash SWF files. It is a preferred method because there is no need for a 3rd party download such as Real Player WMP, or Quicktime.

Recent additions have now included playback of an FLV video file. This separates the SWF from the video so allowing faster playback.

Another important difference between progressive streaming and Server Side Media streaming is the Player (SWF) The Streaming Server needs the addition of action scripting to communicate to the server properly. If you cannot construct your own RTMP Streaming player using Dreamweaver or Flash 8, you can use our players, available for purchase as a SWF file or complete editable FLA files.