Why use FMProjector/FMPlayer when Macromedia Flash MX now supports Video?

We 'd like to outline the differences between the features on video support by Macromedia FlashMX and Flashants FMProjector/FMPlayer, in the hope to help people to make their best choice when there comes a need to include video in flash.

1. Native Video Format vs. Conversion
Flash MX needs to convert video to a specific format supported by the Sorenson video codec embedded in the Flash 6 player. This conversion process is time consuming and inevitably leads to some degradation of image quality. Flashants FMProjector and FMPlayer allow designers to import native video into Flash movies while preserving the original video format. This enables the Flash player to playback video using the native video player, e.g. Window Media Player and Real Player.

2. Dynamic load external video in Flash
Flash MX allows dynamically loading external jpeg and mp3 files; however it does not provide this capability for video. This means that Flash designers have to convert video into the flash format before it can be used. Flashants FMProjector/FMPlayer delivers the tremendous flexibility of dynamically loading local video files or video streams from media servers using their original formats!

3. Windows Media Technologies vs. Specific video codec
Flash 6 uses Sorenson Spark codec to playback video in Flash. FMProjector and FMPlayer adopt the Microsoft Window Media Player and Real Player to directly playback video and the market leading media technology from Microsoft and Real guarantee the best quality and performance.

4. Window Media Resource Kit vs. Sorenson Squeeze
In order to use the full video features of Flash MX, designers must purchase Soreson Squeeze (a video conversion tool) for an additional cost of $299. Designers using FMProjector/ FMPlayer can use all the features of the Windows Media Resource Kit including the Media Encoder and other professional utilities to create high quality, compact video content. Best of all, these encoding tools are not only more compatible with the native player, they’re free.

5. Video formats support and new technology
Flash MX only supports the Sorenson's specific video format. Since the video codec is embedded with the Flash 6 Player, there is no way to upgrade the technology until next version Flash player released. Technology never stands still. FMProjector/FMPlayer allows designers to import different video formats according to changing requirements and to adopt the best of current and future technologies including WMV, Mpeg4, or DivX.

6. Video length limitation
Flash MX has the limitation of 16,000 frames number for video clip (around 8.5 minutes of 30fps video.) Designers using FMProjector/FMPlayer do not have any such limitations.

7. Flash Communication Server MX vs Windows Media Server
Most people choose to bet on Microsoft's Windows Media Technology until the market has had time to perform independent comparisons.

8. Content protection and Digital Rights Management
Flash MX does not support DRM for video yet. Using FMPlayer and FMProjector, you can make use of the comprehensive DRM solutions from Microsoft to protect your valuable content from piracy.

9. Video Quality, Performance, and Length.
According to Ed McGarr, vice president of marketing and sales for Sorenson Video, "Flash has always been fast and lightweight. The embedding of small video files won't change that, but long, high motion, high quality video could result in packet loss and "pipe jamming

FMProjector and FMPlayer, use Window Media Technologies, guarantying your investment with robust, best of breed technology from Microsoft and providing the best performance and quality.

While Flash MX now supports video, FMProjector/FMPlayer is still the must-have solution for those who are care about the video quality, video playback performance, content protection, DRM, multiple video formats, streaming video support, dynamic video content, and want to keep up with the best media technology now and in the future.

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