philtr...
I'm a researcher moreso than a flash expert, but here's what
I found:
Flash Pro (version 8, at least), comes with Flash Video Encoder:
"Included with Flash Professional 8, the Flash 8 Video Encoder
allows users to take full advantage of the Flash Video file
format. Designed for video professionals, the capabilities of
the encoder include a full suite of advanced options for
encoding video to the new, high-quality VP6 codec introduced
with Flash Player 8, or the Sorenson codec supported by Flash
Player 6 and above."
http://www.adobe.com/products/flash/flashpro/productinfo/encoder/
One of the features of the Flash Video Encoder allows the creation
of Embedded Cue Points:
"Embed cue points directly into Flash Video (FLV) file so events
can be triggered dynamically during playback. Used in conjunction
with the new Flash Video component, easily coordinate the playback
of accompanying graphics and animations when individual cue points
are reached."
http://www.adobe.com/products/flash/flashpro/productinfo/features/
The video that plays when that page loads can be navigated with a
menu at the top. Under the 'Video' section, scroll down to the
'Cue Points' selection to play that section.
Another option for adding cue points is offered by the developer
of the Sorenson Codec, and is called Sorenson Squeeze 4.3. A
tutorial on its use by Robert Reinhardt begins on this page
from the Community MX site:
http://www.communitymx.com/content/article.cfm?cid=B6899
You may notice that this tutorial seems to be about adding
chapter markers using cue points, however the previous notes
on the Adobe site suggest that they can be used to trigger
other media, as well. The installment in Robert Reinhardt's
Cue Points Tutorial discusses the different types:
http://www.communitymx.com/content/article.cfm?cid=124DB
Robert's other tutorials are here:
http://www.communitymx.com/author.cfm?cid=2360
Another option for sequencing videos might be the creation
of a playlist. This kind of code is often used for mp3
music files, and creates an embedded player on the site
and an xml playlist file which controls the content.
A (non-working) example of such a player can be found on
the mygen site:
http://www.mygen.co.uk/index.php?page=tutorials§ion=flashplayer1
As you can see near the bottom of that page, you can hide
the playlist and set it to autostart by making changes to
the embedding code. In this way, the media will play
sequentially in the order you designate in the playlist.
You can use similar coding to embed a video player in
such a way as to hide the playlist and sequentially play
the videos you designate.
Lisa Larson has tutorials on the Adobe site for creating
such playlists for both Streaming and Progressive Flash:
Streaming:
http://www.adobe.com/devnet/flash/articles/video_player.html
Progressive:
http://www.adobe.com/devnet/flash/articles/prog_download.html
An article on the differences by Chris Hock on the Adobe site:
http://www.adobe.com/devnet/flash/articles/flv_download.html
I've just noticed that I've interpreted your interest to
"have them start exactly synced to each other" to mean that
your want the second to begin as the first one ends.
If, in fact, you mean to have them all start *together* and
play simultaneously, this is an entirely different thing,
and poses problems which you may not be able to control on
your end.
Since the start of the streamed video depends more on the
server than on the coding on your website, you may have to
consider working with a server who can address your needs.
Chris Hock addresses this on page 5 of his article:
"For streaming Flash Video you must use Flash Communication
Server. It is the only software that can stream audio, video,
and real-time data to Flash Player.
Customers who do not want the hassle and expense of buying
and maintaining server hardware and Flash Communication Server
software can get all the benefits of streaming Flash Video with
Flash Video Streaming Service. This service is a load-balanced,
redundant deployment of Flash Communication Server over a
reliable content delivery network."
http://www.adobe.com/devnet/flash/articles/flv_download_04.html
Chris links to this page, which lists Adobe partners that offer
Flash Video Streaming Services, and may be able to address your
interest in simultaneous startup and synchronized playback, if
that is the correct interpretation of your sentence.
http://www.adobe.com/products/flashmediaserver/fvss/
I notice that Playstream's showcase video from La Belle Elaine's
Bridal shop uses Windows Media files, which causes a delay while
the viewer's Windows Media Player deploys, and after which there
is a further delay for buffering. Obviously, this will not work
for what you're requesting. So if you actually want three flash
videos to start simultaneously, the Flash Video Streaming Service
sites may be your only option.
If you want them to play sequentially, you can use the tutorials
I pointed you to before to learn how to do so.
If anything is unclear, please post a Request for Clarification
prior to rating this answer.
sublime1-ga
Additional information may be found from further exploration
of the links provided above, as well as those resulting from
the Google searches outlined below.
Searches done, via Google:
sequential flash videos on a page
://www.google.com/search?q=sequential+flash+videos+on+a+page
flash video cue point creation
://www.google.com/search?q=flash+video+cue+point+creation
Flash Pro Video Encoder
://www.google.com/search?q=Flash+Pro+Video+Encoder
playlist for sequential Flash Video files
://www.google.com/search?q=playlist+for+sequential+Flash+Video+files
simultaneous streaming Flash Video
://www.google.com/search?q=simultaneous+streaming+Flash+Video |
