flash (macromedia): had an MPEG video that I converted to Flash 8 Medium quality FLV. The FLV is
choppy compared to the MPEG. Tried it in different qualities with the same
result. Any ideas how I can get it to be less choppy? I have a good pc.

http://www.1320stompers.com/callout.html

It's not due to slow loading of the file either.

Thanks!

What you're doing when you create an MPEG is you're compressing the video (and
audio). Then, when you export it from Flash as an .flv you're compressing it
again. This may contribute to the choppiness of the video because it's been
instructed to drop frames for playback twice - once from your video editing
software, once from Flash. If you're able, export the video from your video
editing software and select "None" for both video and audio codecs. Set the
target size (ie 320x240 px) and let Flash compress it for you. Better yet, save
the video in Quicktime and post that on your site bypassing Flash's codec
altogether. I have yet to get near the quality and compression of video in
Flash as I do in Quicktime.

You can either call in the Quicktime file dynamically or link to the .flv, as
it appears you have done on your site, and stream or progressively download the
video. The key is to only compress once. Video compression for web is a tricky
thing, and is really trial and error based on some calculations and logic. I
have yet to compress a video perfectly on the first try. I usually have to
experiment two or three times per video before I get something acceptable.
Flash's video codec improves with each new release of Flash, but has yet to
come near Quicktime's quality. You may want to consider bending your rule of
Flash only if the video is going to be the focus of your site. Check out
book(s) by Ben Waggoner for tips on video compression for the web. Best of
luck. Video on the web is the coolest.