Flash or Quicktime?

Aydin · #1 (**permalink**) 10-19-2004, 11:02 PM

As a videographer I want to showcase some samples. Flash is compatible with most machines, but takes longer to build etc. costs. Quicktime can be downloaded easily and played. Easier to create and no real extra costs. Mpeg4 is another option all players should play and that is what I have right now, but doesn't look as good. I'm going to redesign soon. Any suggestions, ideas on this issue?

Thanks,
Aydin Odyakmaz
Aydin Productions Ltd.
www.Aydin.ca

voodooboy · #2 (**permalink**) 10-21-2004, 11:43 AM

I disagree with your comments on Flash. Try using Sorenson Squeeze from http://www.sorenson.com.

I have compressed an 18MB Quicktime file down to a 6+MB (300k) streaming FLV file and lost little in quality.

While Quicktime is great, the download file is much larger than the Flash plugin for your viewers. And not everyone has or uses Quicktime, while Flash is a standard plugin for all newer browsers.

Try Sorenson, you'll be impressed.

Aydin · #3 (**permalink**) 10-21-2004, 11:54 AM

Sounds good. So can I just place a FLV movie on my website without building a special Flash site?

Thanks for the suggestion.

Aydin

voodooboy · #4 (**permalink**) 10-22-2004, 09:12 AM

Flash MX 2004 Professional has prebuilt media components that you can create a small .swf file which will act as the driver for the flv files. The sample I created when demoing the software was only about 50k. If you preload it into an html page, you won't even notice the load time.

dr-tourist · #5 (**permalink**) 10-24-2004, 11:38 AM

Personally I prefer windows media. I am not a huge microsoft fan but WME does a good job of encoding, most people will not have to DL a player or codec.

One of my favorite features is encoding multiple bit rates inone file. If a person tries to view one of my video clips it will try and play at the bitrate apropriate to their bandwith. I encode 500k 350k and 250k all in one file. I host the files on www.instawatch.com and link to the .asx

To see some examples of the quality I have been getting
http://www.dr-tourist.tv

Aydin · #6 (**permalink**) 10-26-2004, 11:58 AM

Thanks for the suggestions. I have Sorenson Squeeze Suite. Can I make a .FLV and just place it on an HTML website or do I need to make a separate player etc.
What is my option?

Thanks,
Aydin

voodooboy · #7 (**permalink**) 10-27-2004, 02:25 PM

Well if you have the suite, you have several options. The thing to remember is that the FLV files require a SWF player to stream over the net. You can also convert straight to swf. The quality is not as good, but the files sizes are small and you don't need an additional file to run them. I would suggest making a sample using the different compression rates and pick the one that represents your work the best.

I spent a good day working with the app to find the right mix for me.

Best of luck. And good choice.

Aydin · #8 (**permalink**) 10-27-2004, 03:21 PM

I know someone with the Macromedia MX suite. Which application would be used in this suite to make the SWF player. Ineed to make the best quality video possible as it shows my work online.

Thanks,
Aydin

Island Ace · #9 (**permalink**) 11-13-2004, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ghstdrgns

I disagree with your comments on Flash. Try using Sorenson Squeeze from http://www.sorenson.com.

I have compressed an 18MB Quicktime file down to a 6+MB (300k) streaming FLV file and lost little in quality.

While Quicktime is great, the download file is much larger than the Flash plugin for your viewers. And not everyone has or uses Quicktime, while Flash is a standard plugin for all newer browsers.

...

We agree with you here. We did something of a utility for our sites (we generally work in the adult field) to allow our clients to download a similar encoder product we call Mini-Studio. With this, they are able to upload movies to their site and start renting them almost instantaneously to site visitors.

Here is a sample of the interface we use: http://www.jamoncam.com/front/ministudio.php

And here is a sample of where they are loaded on the site in our video gallery:
http://www.jamoncam.com/flash_gallery.php

We allow for the site owners to rent the videos to members. Our encoder software is logically set up for members of the websites and we make it simple to start creating and uploading movies from day one.

Our system allows for performers to make movies using a web cam or importing AVI or MPEG and soon WMV's.

Flash is king and our clients love the Mini-Studio!

IA

ManInBlack · #10 (**permalink**) 03-09-2005, 08:26 AM

for making swf's from any video format you can use video to flash converter. http://www.geovid.com/video_to_flash_converter/

coffee-drinker · #11 (**permalink**) 03-20-2005, 06:10 PM

Flash is much beeter than quicktime because it is preinstalled on many different systems and user doesn't need to download player.