I've been using the FLVplayback component successfully for some time. Recently,
I found that when I uploaded a new application using one of the standard skins,
the controls disappeared. They aren't just hidden, they are totally absent. The
movie is loading (you can see the first frame and it plays if the auto play
setting is true). Also, the controls are present and function normally when
testing on the local computer. I can insert my own buttons to control the movie
(using play, stop, and seek methods) and these work fine on both the local and
remote computers. I cannot figure out why all of a sudden I am getting this
bizarre behavior. I've tested different web servers with identical results and
have created brand new SWFs with just the FLVplayback component as the only
thing in the file. What am I missing? It is acting like some kind of program
corruption.

:embarrassment; Boy, do I feel dumb. I forgot you have to upload the skin's swf
as well. I don't know how I did this the first time but forgot the next time.
Live and learn (and forget and learn again!)