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Author Topic: Playing FLV files  (Read 15693 times)

kisakarina

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Playing FLV files
« on: October 03, 2006, 01:40 PM »
I had to download a FLV player, and it works fine.  BUT:

Can someone explain why it takes a dedicated FLV player to play downloaded Flash files?

Why can't they simply be played using a browser?

What's the difference between a downloaded FLV file and one that resides on a website, in other words, why does Flash open up when you go to the website, but if you paste the downloaded file in the URL window, it just does nothing?

Is there a way to invoke Flash without using the browser?

Thanks!

kisakarina

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Re: Playing FLV files
« Reply #1 on: October 07, 2006, 05:08 PM »
It's me again. I see this posting has had 89 views and no responses.   Is the question so basic I should know the answer already,  or is it that no one who knows the answers is reading this posting?  Inquiring mind wants to know, thanks.

Kisakarina

JavaJones

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Re: Playing FLV files
« Reply #2 on: October 07, 2006, 05:24 PM »
Well, as far as I understand it .flv is just another "container format" like .avi or .mov/.qt. Neither one specifies a codec for audio or video, only basic formatting info and whatnot. Yet you need specific players to play each. It's what's inside the video - the audio and video codecs used to compress the file and thus the format of the data - that matters to a player.

Anyway since Internet Explorer (and other browsers) are not video players, they can't just play an .flv. Just like you can't drag a .avi to your browser and expect it to play without launching a 3rd party app. So why they work server-side is either the server hints your browser to use Flash to view/play, or they use some wrapper on their end to serve it through a .swf or something. Some kind of player is involved, anyway. And the file just sitting on your HD doesn't properly associate with the browser Flash plugin for whatever reason. It may be possible to set this up via content types or associations in the browser though.

More info here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FLV

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Black Mamba

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Re: Playing FLV files
« Reply #3 on: October 08, 2006, 06:54 AM »
If you can wait a little longer, Media Player Classic will support .flv files in next version.

Or you can try a CVS version of MPC.

Deozaan

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Re: Playing FLV files
« Reply #4 on: October 09, 2006, 12:22 PM »
I had to download a FLV player, and it works fine.  BUT:

Can someone explain why it takes a dedicated FLV player to play downloaded Flash files?

Why can't they simply be played using a browser?

What's the difference between a downloaded FLV file and one that resides on a website, in other words, why does Flash open up when you go to the website, but if you paste the downloaded file in the URL window, it just does nothing?

Is there a way to invoke Flash without using the browser?

Thanks!
-kisakarina (October 03, 2006, 01:40 PM)

Generally speaking, what you see in your browser is embedded into the website via html. That's why you can see it on a web page but not if you download it and try to run it on your computer. Flash does have a Stand-Alone player, but I'm not sure how to get it. It comes with Flash when you install it. However, if I'm not mistaken, you can construct your own dummy html page that embeds the file so you can watch it in your browser offline.

app103

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Re: Playing FLV files
« Reply #5 on: October 22, 2006, 10:06 PM »
I was told that VLC can play them. But I have not tested this personally.

Renegade

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Re: Playing FLV files
« Reply #6 on: October 22, 2006, 10:17 PM »
I think I've managed to convince the guys at work to add FLV playback for ALShow. It looks like the next release will include it.

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JavaJones

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Re: Playing FLV files
« Reply #7 on: October 23, 2006, 03:25 PM »
Oh hey, you work at ALTools? Cool!

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nudone

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Re: Playing FLV files
« Reply #8 on: October 23, 2006, 03:44 PM »
i'm pretty sure 'gom player' and 'kmplayer' will play flv files - and everything else.

anyway, i think i'll have to try AlShow - can't remember trying that one. from the description it sounds like 'kmplayer' is very similar.
« Last Edit: October 23, 2006, 03:46 PM by nudone »

Nighted

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Re: Playing FLV files
« Reply #9 on: October 23, 2006, 05:12 PM »
Media Player Classic already plays FLV and SFV files.

I use it with K-Lite Mega Codec Pack.
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lanceg

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Re: Playing FLV files
« Reply #10 on: October 23, 2006, 05:31 PM »
VLC can play FLV files.  i have done this myself.

JavaJones

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Re: Playing FLV files
« Reply #11 on: October 24, 2006, 12:31 AM »
Having tried both ALShow and KMPlayer, I found KM to be better in just about all respects save simplicity. I might recommend AL on that basis to someone who needed a simple, easy-to-use solution with embedded codecs - let's keep in mind VLC isn't exactly user-friendly. But other than that I'd recommend KM over it any day. I still haven't gotten back to that media player thread, lol...

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nudone

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Re: Playing FLV files
« Reply #12 on: October 24, 2006, 02:16 AM »
i have to agree - kmplayer is the one that always 'saves the day' for me.

stephenz

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Re: Playing FLV files
« Reply #13 on: May 06, 2009, 05:20 AM »
I had to download a FLV player, and it works fine.  BUT:

Can someone explain why it takes a dedicated FLV player to play downloaded Flash files?

Why can't they simply be played using a browser?

What's the difference between a downloaded FLV file and one that resides on a website, in other words, why does Flash open up when you go to the website, but if you paste the downloaded file in the URL window, it just does nothing?

Is there a way to invoke Flash without using the browser?

Thanks!
-kisakarina (October 03, 2006, 01:40 PM)

Because the FLV files on website is not only a FLV, it is embedded to a SWF file, the SWF file can play FLV, that's the difference between a desktop FLV and an online FLV. (How to make a flash video player for website)
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