Flash Movies to play on MAC Created on PC at DVinfo.net

Mike Hardy · May 9th, 2009, 12:56 PM

This gets worse!
I successfully created FLASH flv. Files for the client on my PC. The report back from the Web Administrator is that they will not play on her MAC computer. My understanding is that it should make no difference, although I have never owned a MAC. The files were on disc, flv format AND Mpeg -4 format, so there was a choice. Any ideas or advice guys?

Chris Davis · May 9th, 2009, 08:50 PM

This probably has less to do with Mac/PC differences and more to do with the settings you used to create the FLV. Remember, FLV (like AVI, MOV, etc.) is simply a container format. Within that format can be several different codecs, and with each codec can be many different options and settings.

Ask the web administrator exactly what codec and settings they want you to use.

Seth Bloombaum · May 9th, 2009, 10:49 PM

I've had some so-far unexplained playback-from-disk problems with Adobe Flash Media Player 9 on the mac. Even, sometimes, with files created with Compressor or Flash Media Encoder on the mac. The same file does fine when embedded in a player on a web page, mac/pc, safari, IE, firefox.

Has she embedded them with a player on a web page yet?

BTW, have you seen them play on a PC?

Mike Hardy · May 10th, 2009, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Davis

This probably has less to do with Mac/PC differences and more to do with the settings you used to create the FLV. Remember, FLV (like AVI, MOV, etc.) is simply a container format. Within that format can be several different codecs, and with each codec can be many different options and settings.

Ask the web administrator exactly what codec and settings they want you to use.

Hi Chris. Thankyou for your response. Sadly, the Web administrator is less technically astute than I am!! I have tried repeatedly to get input, but my dictat is that I must produce footage to be uploaded using FLOWPLAYER; it matters not what the format, as long as it can be uploaded using the method. I was originally asked for FLASH, flv, which I have produced, but also the clips backed up in MPEG-4 format, as I thought the H.264 codec might produce better results. The flv's were simply rendered straight from my NLE, (Videostudio X2 Pro), without any additions or modifications from me. The original footage is HDV.

Mike Hardy · May 10th, 2009, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seth Bloombaum

I've had some so-far unexplained playback-from-disk problems with Adobe Flash Media Player 9 on the mac. Even, sometimes, with files created with Compressor or Flash Media Encoder on the mac. The same file does fine when embedded in a player on a web page, mac/pc, safari, IE, firefox.

Has she embedded them with a player on a web page yet?

BTW, have you seen them play on a PC?

Hi Seth, thanks for the input. She simply has stated that "her machine will not read it". I am trying to ellicit more from her. I played the files on my PC, after they were made. The flash played fine on VLC player and also on REAL player. The MPEG-4 files also play perfectly on VLC player. I have no idea how to resolve it.

Martin Mayer · May 10th, 2009, 01:57 PM

If she just double-clicked on a .flv file, it's quite likely it won't open/play.

She needs a .flv-capable player on her Mac, like "VLC"?

Or, as Seth pointed out - she needs to embed them in a web-page first, to use the Flash Player in her browser (unlikely, from your description).

Mike Hardy · May 11th, 2009, 06:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Martin Mayer

If she just double-clicked on a .flv file, it's quite likely it won't open/play.

She needs a .flv-capable player on her Mac, like "VLC"?

Or, as Seth pointed out - she needs to embed them in a web-page first, to use the Flash Player in her browser (unlikely, from your description).

Hi Martin. Thank you for trying to help. The latest is that her MAC won't even recognise that she has a disc in her machine. When I made the disc, I do recall having to FORMAT it, but I didn't envisage there being a problem. I am now at a loss as to how to produce a disc with video clips on my PC, that can be uploaded to a website via a MAC!!

Chris Davis · May 11th, 2009, 07:59 AM

Can you place the file(s) online for her to download? Put them on a USB flash drive?

Too bad the web designer isn't more knowledgeable. We produce video, and we design websites. My personal opinion is that the burden for the bulk of the technical knowledge should rest on the shoulders of the web developer. It sounds like this web "expert" is simply a graphic designer. The two of you may need to pull in a third party to provide some technical insight. Perhaps you could contact their hosting provider.

May 9th, 2009, 12:56 PM	#1
Mike Hardy Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Romney Marsh UK Posts: 61	Flash Movies to play on MAC Created on PC This gets worse! I successfully created FLASH flv. Files for the client on my PC. The report back from the Web Administrator is that they will not play on her MAC computer. My understanding is that it should make no difference, although I have never owned a MAC. The files were on disc, flv format AND Mpeg -4 format, so there was a choice. Any ideas or advice guys?

May 9th, 2009, 10:49 PM	#3
Seth Bloombaum Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 3,420	I've had some so-far unexplained playback-from-disk problems with Adobe Flash Media Player 9 on the mac. Even, sometimes, with files created with Compressor or Flash Media Encoder on the mac. The same file does fine when embedded in a player on a web page, mac/pc, safari, IE, firefox. Has she embedded them with a player on a web page yet? BTW, have you seen them play on a PC? __________________ 30 years of pro media production. Vegas user since 1.0. Webcaster since 1997. Freelancer since 2000. College instructor since 2001.

May 10th, 2009, 01:57 PM	#6
Martin Mayer Major Player Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Oxfordshire, UK Posts: 416	If she just double-clicked on a .flv file, it's quite likely it won't open/play. She needs a .flv-capable player on her Mac, like "VLC"? Or, as Seth pointed out - she needs to embed them in a web-page first, to use the Flash Player in her browser (unlikely, from your description). __________________ Martin at HeadSpin HD on Blu-ray

May 9th, 2009, 08:50 PM	#2
Chris Davis Trustee Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Willmar, MN Posts: 1,400	This probably has less to do with Mac/PC differences and more to do with the settings you used to create the FLV. Remember, FLV (like AVI, MOV, etc.) is simply a container format. Within that format can be several different codecs, and with each codec can be many different options and settings. Ask the web administrator exactly what codec and settings they want you to use.

May 11th, 2009, 07:59 AM	#8
Chris Davis Trustee Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Willmar, MN Posts: 1,400	Can you place the file(s) online for her to download? Put them on a USB flash drive? Too bad the web designer isn't more knowledgeable. We produce video, and we design websites. My personal opinion is that the burden for the bulk of the technical knowledge should rest on the shoulders of the web developer. It sounds like this web "expert" is simply a graphic designer. The two of you may need to pull in a third party to provide some technical insight. Perhaps you could contact their hosting provider.