There are two options for delivering FLV files: progressive download or streaming the video with Adobe Flash Media Server. While progressive download is widely used, streaming offers several advantages, including better content protection and the option for encrypted streaming; live video support; greater network efficiencies; logging of usage; a richer playback experience with instant-on, rapid seek to any point in the video; and bandwidth and player detection for more reliable playback.

Content protection

Video streamed to Adobe® Flash® Player is more secure than progressive download delivery, maximizing protection and monetization of your content. Take advantage of new protection capabilities, including encrypted streaming and content verification.

Live video streaming

You cannot deliver live video through progressive download; it requires a streaming delivery method. By using Adobe Flash Media Encoder in conjunction with Flash Media Server 3 software, you can provide live video feeds for news, events, and social media sites 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Network efficiencies

Unlike progressive download, Flash Media Server streaming uses only the bandwidth required, since only the bits that are viewed are transferred to the client over the network. This translates into more clients served for a given amount of outbound bandwidth and potentially lower overall bandwidth costs.

Logging

W3C-compliant ASCII logs, a real-time usage monitor, and a complete application programming interface (API) for server and stream events help ensure that you have all the tools you need to track and generate reports on your audience's content usage. With progressive download, once the file is delivered, you have no way of knowing how it is being viewed or used.

Best way to deliver video to Flash Player

Capabilities such as bandwidth detection and serving up the appropriate video for a given player, quality-of-service monitoring, and the ability to jump into any point within the video and instantly start playing make streaming with Flash Media Server the best way to deliver great online video experiences.

Deep interactivity

Precise stream control enables developers to create extensive interaction with streaming video content. Possible applications include allowing users to select camera angles and video branching, which is useful for switching to alternate endings or other interactive storytelling devices.

Multiuser capability

Among the many features of Flash Media Server 3 is the ability to stream live video and audio from one or many users to multiple users, enabling video communication. Live video and audio streams can be captured, so that live events such as videoconferences can be archived. This capability also helps enable video blogging.