Hi

Today, we provide our users with an embedded ActiveX control to encode video
from any DirectShow-supported input device. We transcode the video on the
client side and upload up to 1-minute video (.wmv).
Users can edit the captured video prior to upload (in/out handles in the UI),
and decide what portion to upload - basic video editing.

I'd like to architect a new system and open our service to all platforms, thus
evaluating Flash.

Before going too deep, it is imperative for me to know whether Flash platform
(Player, Authoring and FMS) can handle the desired video quality I'm looking
for, and whether my users would have some control over the captured video
before uploading.

1) I looked at some samples and the live-view video appears to be very
low-quality. Is it configurable? Can FMS2 record 1-minute video of the
foloowing specs:
320x240, 12FPS, 300kbps, audio: mp3/mono/16bits/22kHz? What codec does FMS2
use to encode the video? Is it On2/VP6 codec?

2) Beside FMS2, do I need to license the codec (whatever it is) separately?

3) Can I program the client-side Flash to provide editing capabilities? In/Out
handles, erase, etc.

Again, I'm interested in the feasibility of the above.
Any information would be appreciated.

Thanks
Jacob

1. The only one of your specs that can't be met using FMS is mp3 audio
encoding. Encoding happens at the Flashplayer, and audio is encoded with the
Nellymoser Asao codec. Video is encoded with Sorenson Spark.

On2 has released a vp6 client for that can publish live vp6 video, but there's
no docs or pricing on their site just yet.

2. If you're just using Flash and FMS, you don't need to license the built-in
codecs.

3. You can program the client side application to provide editing capbilities,
but the actual recording/re-recording of video happens on the server. The
client simply invokes server methods. I should say that "punching in" can be a
bit sloppy when using FMS. It's tough to get the timing accurate.

Thanks Jay.

Is it possible to use the built-in codec in Flash Player to encode the video
w/o FMS? I can take care of the upload (to an FTP/HTTP server) separately. I
don't mind serving progressive video (as oppose to streaming).

The cost associated w/ FMS seems too high.