82 Producing Flash Output


#82 Producing Flash Output

Flash video is a popular streaming format for Internet and intranet use. The Adobe Media Encoder can produce Flash video in the FLV format, but not the SWF format, which contains the metadata required to make a Flash video executable online.

For Better Flash Video Quality

Premiere Pro uses one-pass, constant bitrate (CBR) encoding for Flash video, which works well for low-motion (talking-head) videos at higher data rates. If your projects involve high-motion video or low bitrates, or you're not satisfied with the quality produced by Premiere Pro, consider a third-party encoder like On2's Flix Pro or Sorenson Squeeze. These tools utilize 2-pass, variable bitrate techniques that produce better quality than the single-pass, CBR output produced by Premiere Pro.


If you've used the Flash 8 Video Encoder, the process will look very familiar, since Premiere Pro uses many of the same controls. Even if you're a total newbie, however, you'll find the controls very simple. Assuming you've got your project completed and ready to render, here are the steps.

1.

Choose File > Export > Adobe Media Encoder.

2.

In the Export Settings area located in the upper-right corner of the dialog box, click the Format drop-down menu and choose Macromedia Flash Video (FLV).

3.

In the Export Settings area, click the Range drop-down menu and choose the target Range (either Entire Sequence or Work Area).

4.

In the Export Settings area, click the Preset drop-down menu and choose the target Preset (Figure 82a).

Figure 82a. FLV encoding presets separated by codec, video standard, and data rate.


Note

The FLV7 presets use the older Sorenson Spark Codec, which produces far less quality than the On2 VP6 codec used in the FLV8 presets. Only choose FLV7 if required for backward compatibility with older players or computers.

5.

Click the Video tab to open the Video settings.

6.

In the Video tab, click the Options button to open the Flash Video Encoding Settings dialog box.

7.

In the Flash Video Encoding Settings dialog box, click the Show Advanced Settings button. This reveals all encoding options and changes to the Hide Advanced Settings button (Figure 82b).

Figure 82b. The Flash Video Encoding Settings dialog box is identical to the Adobe Flash 8 Video Encoder.


More on Producing an Alpha Channel for Flash Video

Step 8 on this page includes only the final step of producing an alpha channel with Flash video; here's the overview. First, shoot your video against a green or blue screen; then use Premiere Pro's Chroma Key filter (#48) to key out the background. Then encode as described above, making sure to select the Encode alpha channel checkbox (Figure 82b).


8.

In the upper-left corner of the Flash Video Encoding Settings dialog box, choose a profile. If you customize any parameters, Premiere Pro will change the preset to Custom. Most parameters work as you would expect, so they are not detailed here. Controls worth noting include the following:

  • To create Flash video with an alpha channel, select the Encode alpha channel checkbox (this option will be grayed out if you select the Sorenson Spark Video codec).

  • To input a custom Max data rate, select Custom in the Quality drop-down menu.

  • Select the Resize video checkbox to insert custom Width and Height parameters. Then select the Maintain aspect ratio checkbox to avoid distorting your video.

9.

When you're finished customizing your encoding parameters, click OK in the bottom-right corner of the Flash Video Encoding Settings dialog box to return to the Export Settings dialog box.

10.

In the Export Settings dialog box, click OK in the bottom-right corner. Premiere Pro will open the Save File dialog box where you can name the encoded file and choose a storage folder.

11.

Click Save and Premiere Pro will start encoding the file.




Adobe Digital Video How-Tos. 100 Essential Techniques with Adobe Production Studio
Adobe Digital Video How-Tos: 100 Essential Techniques with Adobe Production Studio
ISBN: 0321473817
EAN: 2147483647
Year: 2006
Pages: 148
Authors: Jan Ozer

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