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flv or MPEG4 better for use?

by ExpertsIQ
8 replies
  • WEB DESIGN
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Opinions please-
I am building a site for online technical tutorial videos. What is better for the viewer, which format?

I can use flv or mpeg4 and would like to know which looks better and which is easier for the general population to view.

For example: I have noticed that with MPEG 4 I have had a couple of quicktime errors but so far no issues with FLV. But I can not tell a quality or speed difference. I do not want to go down a path and find out later that its problematic. Any other advice on this general topic is appreciated.
TIA
#flv #mpeg4 #video
  • Profile picture of the author Brotato
    flv is probably the best route in terms of it being lighter on the server and it's more flexible than mpeg4
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  • Profile picture of the author ExpertsIQ
    thanks! I felt that might be the case since I have not to download any special files to view it like with MPEG4..
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  • Profile picture of the author ExpertsIQ
    Thanks again. So it seems that FLV does appeal as far as ease of use. What about quality. Are they both equivalent? As for my videos I can not tell a quality difference, can anyone else?
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    • Profile picture of the author Pacman131
      I think I heard MPEG4 is a lot better quality, but flash I think uses less memory.
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  • Profile picture of the author Product Developer
    Originally Posted by ExpertsIQ View Post

    Opinions please-
    I am building a site for online technical tutorial videos. What is better for the viewer, which format?

    I can use flv or mpeg4 and would like to know which looks better and which is easier for the general population to view.

    For example: I have noticed that with MPEG 4 I have had a couple of quicktime errors but so far no issues with FLV. But I can not tell a quality or speed difference. I do not want to go down a path and find out later that its problematic. Any other advice on this general topic is appreciated.
    TIA

    I use FLV / SWF for most videos on the web.

    Flash gives high quality and relatively small file sizes.

    All the best.
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    • Profile picture of the author vivekg
      Well I believe you must have already chosen FLV as I would have suggested the same. FLV size is quite less as compared to mpeg4. You can render the video in higher quality to get good output in FLV. Can I know which software would you be using to edit the videos I might be able to help you if you want.
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      • Profile picture of the author Jay Moreno
        if you use a proper flash media server you can also lock down your videos as well as use scrubbing backwards and forwards too... which in the long run can save you a lot of bandwidth as it is not necessary for the end user to completely download the video as it doesnt use progressive download.

        it doesnt prevent a user from recording the screen but it certainly makes it much more difficult to download the video

        hth
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        Sorry, I am too busy helping people to think of a cool signature!
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