These are the instructions for the Fourteenth module of this course:

In this module we will experiment with Digital video in Flash. This is a very interesting subject that could become the theme of a whole class on itself.
Flash has greatly implemented it's video features in recent versions and right now is the most extended platform for video over the web.

With Flash 8 a new codec* was created, called On2VP6 (still in use).
With Flash CS3, a new flash video format was created: the .flv file or flash video file. A new application could recompress video files into flvs: "the video encoder application".

Flash CS4 has come up with a new flash video-format file, called .f4v,it uses a high efficient codec, called H.264.
In Flash CS4, all video files have to be recompressed to flv or f4v, BEFORE you import them to the flash authoring environment, because the previous video-encoding application inside flash is not used anymore. In Flash CS4, then, every video has to be compressed with the Media Encoder application.

* A video codec is a type of compression (like jpeg or gif in the area of computer graphics) that allows you to compress your movie and decompress it to play it back.
The idea is to loose as less quality as possible through the process meanwhile still keeping a small file-size that streams smoothly over the Internet.

There are 2 main ways of using a digital video files in Flash, they depend on how do you want to use the digital-video file: inside the fla or outside the fla (as an external file).

1. You can EMBED a video file in your Flash project and see it playing in your timeline, the file then becomes part of the fla file and later on part of the swf, when you export your project.
The advantage of this method is that you can directly see the video playing in your timeline, and work with it, compositing animation on top, or tweaking the video content when you place it inside a movie-clip symbol.

The set back is that the video might make your flash file quite large. Make sure you don't embed more than 5 seconds of video into a flash file.

When you import your video, check the box that says "Embed FLV in swf and play in timeline(CS4") or "Embed video in swf and play in timeline(CS3)".
This is the preferred way for your assignment.

2. You can ATTACH the video file to your fla project. You will have to compress the video file into Flash proprietary codec, in a format called FLV. In CS4, you can also compress your video into a f4v format.

This second one is a more professional/batch case-scenario: You compress the movies OUTSIDE the authoring environment into flv and then import "an alias", to let flash know where the flv file is located on Stage. You will not see the content of the file in the authoring environment (test movie for that).

To compress a digital video file into flv, you can use the "Standalone video encoder application" that comes with Flash 8 or Flash CS3.
Programs like Final Cut Pro or After effects will also render flv files.
In CS4, you ALWAYS use the "Media Encoder application.

When you import your video, check the box that says "Load external video with playback component (CS4)", or "Prograssive download from a web sever (CS3)".

When you import an FLV into Flash, you can set up a SKIN for that movie.
The skin determines the functionlity and looks of the video controls.
You will not see the content of the Digital Video inside Flash but when you export it to swf, you will see the video playing.

When you attach an flv or f4v file, you can use the Components window to control more aspects about the playback of your movie. We will not use components in this course.

Keep files organized: when you use an attached flv, the video is playing from a "mother flash movie" (the mainflash file). It is important then, that you place all the content in one folder and don't change the location or name of the flv after it has been imported it.

When you use flv files in a website you don't need quicktime, or windows media player or any other video player installed in your browser or computer. The video plays THROUGH the flash-player in your browser.

This is how digital video is played in YouTube and most massive video sites nowadays.

Complete this week's assignment with a flash file containing both a little video clip and an animation integrated in the video space. You don't have to go overboard, in fact I would want you to also work on your Final project, so just one nicely integrated element would be fine.

In this module's assignment, you are going to practice creating an animation “on top” of the video-layer.

_ You will place the video on Stage (by locking it into a keyframe in the Timeline: Flash will ask you permission to add the necessary frames to display the whole movie).
_Lock the layer containing the video so you don't draw on it ( if you draw on the same layer, your shapes will go Behind the video and you will not see it)

_ Create layers on top of the video one and create some animation matching the perspective of the video and the Timing of it, so it looks as if it is happening "in the same Space" represented in the video.
This is a very unusual approach to Video Compositing, as you can see the video run and change your animation at the same time (as opposed to other compositing software). Let’s be creative.

Please, be careful with the size of the video file, because you are going to embed it IN the flash file.
Use really short video clips (less than 8 seconds), and keep file size to a minimum.
You want to be able to attach it in your assignment window when yo are finished with it!

Post your comments, problems you think the rest of the group can share and advice ideas on the “Fourteenth week discussion group”.