Flash Video FAQ

Flash Video is a recent development from Macromedia and Flash Version 6 or higher is requred to run it.
If you are not sure whether or not you have Flash Version 6 or higher please click here.
If you know you do not have Flash Version 6 then please click here to get it.
  1. What are the minimum system requirements for Flash Video?

  2. How come Flash Video does not start right away?

  3. What are the advantages of a "progressive protocol" video format?

  4. Do I have to have a broadband connection to view the movies?

  5. Why Flash Video?

1. What are the minimum system requirements for Flash Video?

Microsoft Windows 95, 98, Me

Internet Explorer 4.0 or later
Netscape Navigator 4 or later
Netscape 6.2 or later, with standard install defaults
AOL 7
Opera 6 or later
Mozilla 1.0 or later
Microsoft Windows NT, 2000, XP or later Internet Explorer 4.0 or later
Netscape Navigator 4 or later
Netscape 6.2 or later, with standard install defaults
CompuServe 7 (Microsoft Windows 2000 & XP only)
AOL 7
Opera 6 or later
Mozilla 1.0 or later
Macintosh OS 8.6, 9.0, 9.1, 9.2 Netscape 4.5 or later
Netscape 6.2 or later
Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.0 or later
Opera 5 or later
Mozilla 1.0 or later
Macintosh OS X version 10.1 or later Netscape 6.2 or later
Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.1 or later
Opera 5 or later
Mozilla 1.0 or later
Linux (x86) RedHat 7.3 or later Mozilla 1.1 or later

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2. Why doesn't Flash Video start right away?

Flash Video is not a streaming protocol unless it is used within a Flash Communications server.
Flash Video is what is called a "progressive protocol" which can download and play at the same time.
Flash Video is loaded to your browser cache and played from your hard drive.

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3.What are the advantages of a "progressive protocol" video format?

1) Flash Video is not affected by busy periods on the Internet so you are always assured of perfect playback.
2) After the first load, subsequent plays of Flash Video start instantaneously because they are in your browser cache.
NOTE: If you clear your browser cache these downloaded movies will be deleted.
3) Progressive protocols can be run from servers which do not offer RTSP (Real Time Streaming Protocols) which are not present on all hosting services.

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4. Do I have to have a broadband connection to view the movies?

As always, broadband is preferred but not required. 56k modem users will encounter the following:
1) It will take quite a while to download to your computer on the first load only. Subsequent access will be instantaneous.
2) You will experience several stops in the movie on the first play through only. After that playback will be perfect.

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5. Why Flash Video?

1) Flash Video is a cross platform compatible format which allows it to play on Windows and Macintosh computers.
This allow us to use a single file on the server removing the need for many duplicated movies in different formats and saving a great deal of web space.
2) Flash is one of the most universally accepted plug-ins onthe Internet with very simple upgrade and automatic version detection.
3) Corporate firewalls do not block the transmission of Flash data since it is so integral to the operation of so many web sites.

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