Why Quicktime?

Jeremy Ordan

Jeremy Ordan

Major Contributor
Two new threads for me in a day. A little much? I'd say so.

None the less, a question for the masses here. I know most of us post our footage as Quicktime or as WMV, so here is my question.

Why not encode as Flash or Shockwave files? I was just playing around the found this video to flash encoder, running a test now to see how large the file is, but it seems like it could be a better solution, especially if you want to show demo footage and not have it yanked.

Maybe I'm just stupid and not understanding but there is soemthing that I'm missing here obviously. So, why use Quicktime or WMV and why not Flash or Shockwave?

Thanks!

Jeremy
 
Personally... My connection is dial up. For me to view anything I have to download using a download manager that can resume. Plus I (though not into it to really know) understand you can embed malicious code in there. Another reason I hate youtube. Flash. It is fine IMO, if you want to protect the video, but then a lot of us in the boondocks don't have the patience to sit there 20-30-40 minutes and just when the flash is almost loaded... disconnect. But hey, thats just my take.
 
My solution of choice is actually Divx, but it doesn't seem to popular round here.
 
Owen said:
My solution of choice is actually Divx, but it doesn't seem to popular round here.
Click to expand...

I would love for DivX to become a widespread accepted standard. What lovely encodes at such tight little file sizes. If I could do it and still get plenty of wedding business I would make my brides download the codec to watch DivX samples.

Same for flash, I would use it for my business because I do not want the potential of them needing a plugin to watch my stuff. A lot of my brides are checking me out from corporate networks that would even allow them to install a plugin that wasnt already on their disc image from IT. In business you want as few obstacles between your marketing materials and a check in your hand as possible!
 
you could upload it to youtube.com and they'll make it flash for you, plus you don't have to worry about bandwidth...that's what I've been doing lately
 
Flash is good for online videos.
QT and WMV is too because they are a bit more flexible.
Personally I prefer wmv not for web preview, and flash for net prewiew. Maybe it has a little better qualtiy at the same resolution and bitrate.
I think all of the players are well spread, but sometimes networks do not allow to watch online stream video like wmv, but these systems cannot detect flash videos.
 
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I'm suprised nobody has mentioned that Flash isn't all that safe for file protection. There's tons of apps (I think one is called Flash Grab) that can download the files.

By the way, I compress exclusively with H.264 out of Quicktime Pro, and I always get great results.
 
the only issue i'm having using quicktime pro to encode h.264 is that it tends to wash out the image quite a bit. You have insight into that TC?
 
I use QT h.264 but I'll tell ya. Flash delivers better results when done correctly.

Sadly, I'm a moron and can't figure it out but the results I've seen have been awesome. And small files too!!!!

I'd love to see a flash output right from FCP. For web content is is the best IMO.

-rook
 
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