Is FLV Still a Good Choice for Today’s Videos?
This article was inspired by a recent comment on a Windows Movie Maker reviews page:
"I just installed Windows Movie Maker, but I can't see FLV extension movies. What can I do?"
FLV (Flash Video) was once the standard for streaming video over the internet, thanks to its compact size and decent quality, which suited the slower internet speeds of the early 2000s.
However, as web technology has progressed, FLV has lost popularity and relevance.
What’s Inside an FLV File?
An FLV file typically includes:
Video Codec: Either On2 VP6 or Sorenson Spark, two older video codecs that are efficient but lack the quality and efficiency of newer codecs like H.264.
Audio Codec: MP3, a well-known codec that has remained fairly compatible over time.
Media Encoders can handle FLV files using the On2 VP6 codec, though support for Sorenson Spark is more limited.
Why FLV is No Longer Ideal for Modern Video
Adobe Flash Dependency:
FLV relies on Adobe Flash for playback, which was discontinued in 2020 due to security issues and outdated performance.
Without Flash, FLV files aren’t compatible with most web browsers and modern platforms.
Outdated Codec Support:
FLV’s main codecs (On2 VP6 and Sorenson Spark) don’t match up to the higher efficiency, quality, and compatibility of H.264 and H.265 codecs widely used today.
Limited Device Support:
Unlike newer formats like MP4, FLV is not natively supported on most mobile devices, tablets, and smart TVs. This makes it inconvenient for streaming and sharing.
Better Alternatives:
Modern formats like MP4 and WebM offer superior video quality, smaller file sizes, and wider compatibility across devices and browsers.
HTML5 video standards have made these formats the preferred choices for most video applications.
What You Can Do If You Need to Open FLV Files
If you’re trying to open FLV files in an application like Windows Movie Maker, you have a few options:
Convert the FLV File:
You can either convert the FLV files to a format that Movie Maker supports, like MP4, or use a different video editor that supports FLV, like VSDC Free Video Editor or Avidemux.
Use a Different Player:
For just viewing FLV files, a dedicated media player like VLC, which supports FLV and many other formats, might be a good alternative.
