What is the best format to use on the web FLV (Flash Video) or WMV (Windows media video) – these two most common formats are very different by definition, the question is when to use which.
When building an online TV we always have to face the question which format will be better for our cause.
Windows media format is the most common format and supported by most computer systems, it does not require a plug in and despite being microsoft product still does not require to many resources from the computer system. it is being used for live broadcast and for vod. While running a page with windows media files the actual player elements are loaded from the computer system
Flash video is actually a container, the compression method may be h.264 or other, The flash video standard compression creates a bigger files but loads faster as it require less buffering time. However flash video files eats more resources as the player is actually a flash multimedia program that require a flash player and this multimedia program loads the flv files.
so…
if you have a large library and want to save space, use WMV
If you want to broadcast live use WMV
if your visitors are impatient use FLV as it buffer faster
if you want a cooler player design use FLV
You can check the codes and even copy them here:
Windows media player codes : just place the location of your movie in the code on the left and click generate. if all is well the player will appear on the right and show the video. you can now copy the code and place it on your site
Flash Video codes ( require downloading the flash player first right click on this link and Save traget as…) Works the same as the windows medi, place your movie link and click generate. copy the codes to your page and upload the player as well.
Note: the link to the movie has to be place twice to suit both browsers !
