OT: How to 'chain' FLV videos on webpage?

will-3 wrote on 2/19/2010, 5:52 AM
We want to "chain" multiple FLV video's on the same web page.

We can combine them in vegas but the resulting file is over 60 minutes long and for a variety of reasons that is not what we want to do in this case.

I'm hopeful that we can do this using code in the web page.

We actually create our edited videos using Vegas and render them as AVI files.

Then we import them into Flash CS3 v9, converting them to FLV files... then we click File | Publish to have Flash create the necessary files.. including the html file.

That html file contains...
- javascript AC_FL_RunContent code followed by some 'object' code
- each of these references the FLV video by name.

One approach would be to simply copy the javascript and object code an place it a second time into the html file... but have the second copy reference the second video by name.

Then we can copy the javascript and object code a 3rd time for the 3rd clip... etc

I'm about to try this but thought I'd ask if anyone else has 'chained' flv videos to play one after another on a web page... and if so how did they do it?

Thanks for any help.

Comments

Tom Pauncz wrote on 2/19/2010, 6:49 AM
Hi,
You could use JW Player. It has a 'playlist' function driven by simple XML.
You can find it http://www.longtailvideo.com/players/jw-flv-player/here[/link].
Tom
dlion wrote on 2/19/2010, 8:11 AM
ditto jw.

you can also use mp4 files, which are a better deal anyway, and you save a step - render directly to mp4 in vegas using the mainconcept plugin. no need for the flash/avi step.
enespacio wrote on 2/19/2010, 11:13 AM
I use this product. www.easyflv.com It has the ability to stream multiple video tracks. I don't actually use that feature, but it is there. I stream mp4s from it. Very inexpensive and easy to use.

James
will-3 wrote on 2/25/2010, 8:56 AM
"you can use mp4 files"

How do you "stream" and start immideate play back with mp4 video?

Is there a special player?

Will it work if the internet client is using a Mac or Linux computer?

Right now I'm just using Adobe Flash CS3 to do all this... convert my AVI's to FLV's and then "publish" the code and create the .swf player to upload to the web site... so I'm interested in learning other ways.

Thanks for the help.
musicvid10 wrote on 2/25/2010, 10:47 AM
Unfortunately, MainConcept does not set a streaming flag for AVC/MP4. I "think" I read that Sony AVC will, but I'm not sure, because I now use HandBrake almost exclusively for this type of delivery.
dlion wrote on 2/25/2010, 12:15 PM
will_3: i used to do it that way too.

now, i encode to mp4 in vegas, bring the mp4 file into handbrake, save with the same settings (no changes. the file will now "stream" and you can ff rew.

works on a mac, pc, linux... jw is using the flash player on the user's machine.
will-3 wrote on 2/25/2010, 12:21 PM
Dillon,

I thought Handbrake just converted formats.
Are you using it to...

a - generate HTML code and to
b - generate a player that can be uploaded to a website and
c - stream mp4 files?

If not... what and how?

Thanks for the info everybody.
enespacio wrote on 2/25/2010, 3:24 PM
Will, I had the same problem. Has to do with the Moov Atom (whatever that is). I first used MP4Fast Start, but it didn't work everytime. I found MP4Patch to work almost everytime. It's free and you can find it here. http://www.aoamedia.com/products.htm . Now I usually run my mp4s through both programs to be sure.
James
Mikey QACTV7 wrote on 2/25/2010, 7:25 PM
I use vimeo.com and just place the code unto my wesite. Only 59 dollars a year and saves my tons of time. Also plays HD Video. Take a look at

http://www.omegatimesproductions.com/broadcast.html
enespacio wrote on 2/25/2010, 8:03 PM
I use Vimeo for everything that's not commercial. This is copied and pasted from the Vimeo FAQs.

Can I use Vimeo for my business or for commercial purposes?

Vimeo is for noncommercial use only. If your intent is to use Vimeo as a hosting service for your business, or promoting a product or service, then you are not allowed to use Vimeo. For more information, please read the Community Guidelines.

James
dlion wrote on 2/25/2010, 10:09 PM
--I thought Handbrake just converted formats.
Are you using it to...

a - generate HTML code and to
b - generate a player that can be uploaded to a website and
c - stream mp4 files?

If not... what and how?--

no, no, no. JW Player does all that. they have great samples and a code generator on their site.

http://www.longtailvideo.com/support/jw-player-setup-wizard?example=4

See discussion below on this thread about the moov atom. i use one of two programs to make the file a) start playing before being fully downloaded, and b) to allow ff/rew access. the fastest is mp4faststart.

http://www.datagoround.com/lab/

it doesn't always work. when it doesn't i use handbrake.

i'm talking about adding metadata to the mp4 file. mainconcept mp4 file doesn't give you a) and b). i haven't tried sony's, as mc is said to be better.



Mikey QACTV7 wrote on 2/26/2010, 6:42 AM
I pasted this from the Vimeo website. if you are an independent, non profit or church its ok to use.........

You may not upload commercials, infomercials, or demos that actively sell or promote a product or service.

Exceptions: independent production companies, authors, musicians, non profits, churches, artists, and actors may show or promote the work they have created.