FLV Files
FLV files (also known as Flash Video files) stream video and audio online. They help play multimedia content on websites, including films, television shows, and games.
Whether you’re new to video file types or just looking to brush up on your knowledge, learn more about the FLV file format with Adobe.
What is a FLV file?
FLV files are videos saved with a .FLV file extension, developed by Adobe Flash Player to play multimedia content on the internet. Adobe Flash Player was one of the most popular ways to stream video files on the web until it was discontinued in 2020. Most web browsers had the Flash Player plug-in installed by default to enable video and online games.
FLV stands for “Flash Video.” As a container file, FLV stores and plays synchronized video and audio streams. It also contains metadata. FLV files typically use the codecs H.264 and H.263 for video and MP3 for audio.
History of the FLV file.
While the original Adobe Flash Player was first released in 1996, the FLV file format didn’t launch until 2003, coinciding with Adobe Flash Player 7. Flash Video became the standard video format for online streaming.
After support for Flash Player ended in 2020, the FLV format became less common. (In the interest of security, it’s a good idea to uninstall Flash Player as there will not be any more patches or updates to protect your computer.)
Because Flash Player has been phased out, you may need to convert your FLVs to a similar filetype to use your them across more platforms. This could be to MP4 or WEBM, which are more common today.
How to use FLV files.
Although they’re not as common as they used to be, FLV files still offer great functionality. FLVs can work well for:
Streaming and video games
FLV files are ideal for delivering video and audio content online, including movies, television shows, and digital video clips. They were also a popular format for online games. Before Flash Player was discontinued, websites such as Facebook, YouTube, Netflix, and Hulu used FLVs to play media.
Storage
FLV files can store various media tracks in one place — and do so without taking up valuable storage space on your hard drive. Their compact size makes them handy for keeping important data in a small package.
Pros and cons of FLV files.
Like most video formats, there are various advantages and disadvantages to FLV files. From how easy they are to download to their reliance on Adobe Flash Player, here are some things you should consider before using:
Pros.
- Quality. FLV files provide high-quality video and audio streaming, especially when compared to MP4.
- Easy to download. Due to their small file size, FLVs are easy to download with faster transfer speeds.
- Computer compatibility. FLV files are cross-platform, compatible with both Windows and Mac OS. However, you may require specific applications in order to use them.
Cons.
- Requires Adobe Flash Player. FLVs require Flash Player to play media online. As there is no longer support for Flash Player, using outdated software to view FLV files on the web may pose a security risk.
- Uncommon. Because Flash Player is no longer supported, FLVs have now been replaced by newer technology such as the HTML5 format.
- Difficult to edit with. As a broadly unsupported video format, FLV files can be slightly difficult to edit. You may need to convert your FLV files to edit them with professional software.
Learn more about container file formats and how they can benefit your creative projects.
How to open a FLV file.
FLV files are relatively straightforward to open on Windows and Mac since they’re compatible with several third-party cross-platform media players, including:
- VLC Media Player (Windows and Mac)
- Winamp (Windows and Mac)
- MPC-HC (Media Player Classic Home Cinema, Windows only)
To open an FLV file, simply follow these steps:
- Make sure to install a compatible FLV media player.
- Double-click your FLV file, or right-click and select “Open with…” to choose a specific media player.
- Your video file will open with one of the compatible media players you have installed, ready to play.
How to create and edit a FLV file.
You can create FLVs in Adobe Animate by exporting them to the FLV file format. You can also import FLVs into the program.
To edit an FLV file on Premiere Pro, convert your file to a compatible video format using Adobe Media Encoder. Media encoder can import FLV with the On2 VP6 video codec.
Discover which video file formats Adobe Premiere Pro supports.
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Are FLV files still supported?
Can iPhones play FLV files?
How can I play FLV files on Android?
Can you upload FLV to YouTube?
Learn more about similar file types to FLV.
MOV.
MOV is a common video file type saved in the QuickTime format, developed by Apple.
MPG.
MPG is a video file format standardized by the Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG), popular with movies and streaming.
ARF.
ARF stands for “Advanced Recording File.” It is a type of container file used by Cisco’s WebEx Player to download video recordings of meetings and web conferences.
SWF.
SWF is a video format developed for Adobe Flash Player, also known as ShockWave Format.
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