Are the Flash Video Exporter and Flash Video Kit two different products? The
Exporter comes with Flash MX 2004 Pro right? The Kit comes out on Sept. 1st
though right? And is probably better than the Exporter? What is the
differenct? I've already navigated through the Flash Development Center
looking for all of this information but it just was just confusing to me. Ok,
before posting this I looked in the Flash 'Help' and it seems like I can export
a video clip in FLV format straight from Flash!! (This must be the Flash Video
Exporter??)

Yes, they are two different products.
Yes, Exporter comes with Flash MX 2004 pro.
It would be wrong to compare them to see which one is better, they are
different products.

http://macromedia.com/software/studio/flashvideokit/
is a kit aimed at providing HTML/Web professionals
(read: not Flash developers) with all of the resources
they need to deploy Flash video content on their web sites.

The kit contains the following major components:
1. A new extension to Dreamweaver for deploying Flash video
2. A lite version of the new Sorenson Squeeze 4.0 (not yet released)
3. A 15-day trial of the new Flash Video Streaming Service Lite, powered by
Vitalstream
4. A comprehensive video primer that details all you need to know about Flash
video

Yes, MM plans to ship this on September 1.
Basically, it's a SWF player (one for progressive download, one for streaming)
that loads a skins SWF at run-time.

You will still need an encorder to make your movies (avi, mpeg) into FLVs.

Ok, so if I'm creating a website 100% in Flash then I don't really need (or
want) the Kit? (because it's geared towards those who use html?!) Just to
double check, the Exporter process:
1. Create an .avi (is that the recommended format to start with?)
2. Export it from Flash to an .flv
3. Have it play streaming from my flash site. (or have it load and then play)
Is that correct?
Also, can I customize the 'design' of the video player component?
Thanks for your help!