If you have a video file, such as an MOV or MP4 file that you want to display as a SWF on the Web, simply encode (or compress) the video file into an FLV. With Flash CS4, you use the Adobe Media Encoder to do this. It can be accessed directly or through Flash’s import video function. If you are using an earlier version of Flash, encoding is still possible, and the process is similar.
Make sure that you have a video file that is compatible with the Adobe Media Encoder. If you do not have a file to use, by all means, use the short.mov file. This file is a clip of the full length summer.mp4 file from www.archive.org that is listed on that website as being in the Public Domain. Use the MOV file because it is a short file, so the time it takes the encoder to render the video will be shorter. This is good for the purposes of learning and practicing. Also, do not worry if you cannot hear any of the sounds. There is nothing wrong with the speakers on your computer. This file does not have audio.
The Adobe Media Encoder encodes the selected video file into the FLV format. It is similar to taking a Photoshop file or a TIFF and compressing either of them into a JPG. The process is simply more involved because the data is more complex.
The Adobe Media Encoder has many options and capabilities. Among these is a wealth of export settings that can be edited to suit your needs. Also available to you is the ability to not only encode multiple files in one sitting but also to duplicate and remove files in your queue.
With your file selected in the encoder, click on the Settings button. This gives you the Export Settings dialog box:
As you can see, it has a lot of options. Only some of the myriad of options will be discussed below.
At the top left of the dialog box are two buttons: Source and Output. Source shows the video file you have selected. Output shows a preview of the encoded version of the file.
On the bottom/middle left of the Export Settings dialog box, you can address the timeline. You are able to clip the movie if you want to export only part of it; and you can set up cue points.
To clip the movie, do the following:
The timer keeps track of time in milliseconds.
The Summary section gives you just that, a summary of your choices thus far.
The bottom right section gives you options for putting on a blur filter under the Filter tab and changing the format as applicable under the Format tab.
The Video tab lets you choose which Codec to use to encode the video. On2 VP6 is usually the best choice. Stick with that one. It is more advanced, gives better quality, and allows you to encode an Alpha Channel if you have one to encode.
Alpha Channels, areas of transparency in video (i.e., green screen), cannot be set up in Flash. They must be set up in a video editing program such as Premiere Pro or Final Cut Pro. The encoder can only honor them, not generate them.
If you need to resize your video, check the box for Resize Video, and change the values as needed. If you want to constrain the proportions of your video, leave the chain whole.
Frame rate can also be changed here. Generally, it is in your best interest to leave the video set to the same frame rate it was shot in. Same as source is a good choice. For Bitrate Settings, the defaults are usually pretty good. If you want higher quality and can take the additional file size, you can change Encoding Passes to Two.
For Advanced Settings, you can change overall quality by selecting either Quality for Speed, Good, or Best. It all depends on your needs.
For Audio, if you have it incorporated into your video file, choose Stereo. It sounds better. The only reason to go with Mono is if you have little sound, if it is a video of a talking head, or if your file size needs to be as small as possible.
For Bitrate Settings for audio, 128 kb per second is good. Again, only turn this lower if the audio is overly simple, not important, or your file size dictates it. Faster bitrate/higher number gives you better quality sound.
When you are finished making changes, click on OK. This gets you back to the encoder. Proceed from here as needed.
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