flv video files flash, limitation, available, internet

andy

I've seen FLV (flash video) video files start springing up everywhere on the internet, and I am wondering if there is a codec available to play these back in video applications.  I was only able to find standalone programs to play back the files, not allowing me to resize my video, nor seek (although that may be the format limitation).

I would like to be able to play back the files in Media Player Classic like every other video codec, but I fear that there is not yet a directshow codec.  Is one available?  If not, what is a preferred codec to transcode into?

ffdshow got the ability to decode flv recently, which is cool, you can convert it to avi with ffmpeg or mencoder. I know a friend has an flv player (maybe vlc? standalone? I never asked), but last time I used vlc it barely managed to play.

(Related tangent: Best google video ever.)

VLC definitely plays FLV files just fine so I just use that.  I wish Media Player Classic could play em though   I hate VLC's interface and UI layout.

FLV files are video files that are to be used in Flash applications. (*.swf files) They use the popular h.263 video codec and can be viewed by most media players. Microsoft's player unfortunatly does not understand the format, but VLC, ffdshow, and mplayer do. mplayer is a command line tool that will allow you to do any transcoding.

The file format does not allow for an index and so you will not be able to seek without transcoding first.

They can also use VP6 for video and I am not sure that Sorenson Spark is 100% h.263.