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TUTORIAL: Playing Flash Video (FLV) files on the Pocket PC - is it possible?

I always receive questions regarding whether it’s possible to play Adobe/Macromedia Flash Video (FLV) files on the Pocket PC. Therefore, I’ve investigated the question of playing these files.
What are Flash videos?
To put it simply, there are two kinds of Flash-based videos: traditional Flash videos (also having the .swf extension) and enhanced videos having the .flv extension. The former isn’t really suited for Web-based distribution (it, for example, doesn’t support server-supported location change without fetching the entire clip first). The latter is almost exclusively used by large media distribution sites like Google Video or YouTube because of its technical superiority.
The Pocket PC and Flash videos
While .swf video files are played by almost all Pocket PC-based SWF players as can also be see for example in the article Playing Flash Content on the Pocket PC, playing the latter files on the Pocket PC is a lot more problematic.
Much as some people say the latest (version 7) Macromedia Player for Pocket PC, this will not help with the majority of the “production” Flash videos out there. Most of the videos (for example, the Google Video ones; the YouTube videos are said to be Flash 8+-only) are playable neither from remote locations nor from the local file system.
Note that NetFront 3.2/3.3 isn’t able to play these videos either as can be seen in this screenshot. Renaming them to SWF doesn’t help either – as is the case with the Adobe plug-in and PIE/IEM.
(For testing purposes, I’ve visited the Google Video archives (for example, this Shakira - Hips Don't Lie spoof video).)
Convert to be able to play!
You can, however, convert these files to a format digestible by , say, TCPMP, the best Pocket PC-based multimedia player. To do this, download for example Total Video Converter. Download, install and start it; drop the input FLV file in the “Task list” list (it’s in the upper left region), choose MPEG4 Video in the Mobile group and click the Convert Now button; the conversion will start. The output file will be created in the C:\Program Files\Total Video Converter\Converted directory. Note that you’ll also need the AAC codec for the sound of these files to be played; please read this thread on getting and installing it. If you don't want to install it, go for another output format.
Alternatively, you may want to use the free (!) Mencoder as is described here.
Note that some people also recommend the free Super by eRightSoft. Some other people, however, say it's causing synchronization problems.
Finally, you may also want to give a try to the commercial Replay Converter by applian technologies. The homepage of the developer is also worth checking out because they are also offering Replay A/V, which can also help in downloading FLV files (in addition to, say, YouTube, Google Video etc. videos) directly off the Web, in case you don't want to manually look for videos in the browser cache.
Also note that you’ll want to read Playing Flash Content on the Pocket PC on the secrets of acquiring FLV files if they are residing on a Web server like Google Video (if you don't want to go for the above-linked Replay A/V).
Also note that the quality of the resulting video file will be really inferior to that of the source.
Other discussions of this question
AximSite
FlashForum.de
Recommended generic article on Flash & PPC
Playing Flash Content on the Pocket PC
UPDATE (10/24/2006): there is a brand new, free service here allowing for online FLI -> MP4 / 3GP conversions, which, then, can be played with both TCPMP and CorePlayer. Please also see the comments section in here for more info.
I also recommend the following discussions of this article: AximSite; PPCT. I've also elaborated on whether alternate Pocket PC browsers are able to play YouTube videos here. A worthy PPCT discussion of the latter article can be found here.

UPDATE (12/16/2006): if you want to save / convert YouTube / Google Video videos on the PC as easily as possible, make sure you give the free (!) vDownloader a try (current version: 0.3 alpha). Also make sure you read the comments under my blog post here. There is an interesting article here on the manual conversion; you may also want to check it out for a tutorial. Finally, I also recommend this PPCT news item for an Orb-based solution.

you can play flv also with ppc version of vlc without conversion.
But it is a very buggy application and there is no developer at the moment for the pocket pc port. It even has problems with the flv container. if you copy the flv video stream (again without any conversion) in an avi container, the latest nigthly build (from february 2006) of vlc for pocket pc plays it flawlessly.
Maybe someone here gets attracted to compile the latest build of vlc for ppc and work on it a little.

How exactly do you stream a video file into another container.
I really hope someone would pick up the thread on the developement of VLC for PocketPC. It's a great player. And now TCPMP is no longer under development, VLC would make a nice alternative. (not that TCPMP doesn't get me by).

You can download Adobe Flash 7 for PPC which has worked with the latest youtube videos here. A bit jerky, but not bad.
Device: HTC TyTN

keethar said:
How exactly do you stream a video file into another container.
I really hope someone would pick up the thread on the developement of VLC for PocketPC. It's a great player. And now TCPMP is no longer under development, VLC would make a nice alternative. (not that TCPMP doesn't get me by).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Now a more than a year has passed since the last nightly build...
Hope some developper picks it up...

UPDATE (04/02/2007):
the brand new, 8.65 version of the great Windows Mobile Web browser Opera Mobile is able to directly play back YouTube videos (if you do install the standard, free (!) Macromedia (Adobe) Flash 7 plug-in in addition to Opera Mobile). See "YouTube support?" row in the comparison chart of my forthcoming Windows Mobile Web Browsing Bible for some real screenshots. Also note that I've posted screenshots of the latest alternative Web browsers (including, unfortunately, even PIE in WM6) NOT being compatible with YouTube. Do check the screenshots out - and remember: I'll publish the Windows Mobile Web Browsing Bible really soon!
Another great piece of news: YouTube Mobile is slated to launch in May / June as is stated at engadget. Also see this PPCT thread.
There is another online converter service to convert videos online without having to have access to a desktop computer (which is a very bad problem with the ORB-based approach), making watching YouTube videos comparatively easy (albeit not as good as with Opera Mobile 8.65 or the forthcoming, above-mentioned YouTube Mobile). Also see this thread for a complete explanation of the process.

I had a really good read on this, very detail, and very useful information.
Thanks.

You're welcome
BTW, here are the YouTube tests: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=301009

thanks for info, great article and updates.
Young

A new article on playing back YouTube:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=1298093
A new article on the latest Opera Mobile / NetFront versions:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=310637
Do check them out. They also contain extensive MS Smartphone-related info; something I’ll even more generally address in a later Smartphone Web Browsing Bible.

YouTube Mobile (No plug-in required)

http://m.youtube.com/
It works on my HTC Advantage and Palm Treo 700P but not on my Dopod 818 Pro
. You click the watch video link, it will bring up windows media player for the clips.
The disadvantage is that YouTube Mobile doesn't have all contents converted yet.

lol..i was just gonna start the same thread...lucky u hve posted first
I have tested the site on my hermes and found the site is functioning properly without any problem. The video is loaded onto the HTC Streaming Software.

Will it work through WIFI?
When I try to open a video it says 'media file type not supported' .. anyone know whats up with that?

In my case after I have pressed the link to play the movie, the windows media player is activated, tries to connect for a few seconds but then a message box pops up "Unspecified Error". My device is a imate Jasjam.
Regards

mine doesnt even go to windows media player.. it opens .. REALplayer?

mine is working fine over wifi.
when i press the link to play the videos then HTC Streaming Media software appears and it plays the video fine. i think the files are played through the rtsp protocol.

Results on HTC-UNI (02EXEC)
Media player comes up with unspecified error, changed file associations in TCPMP (allow 3gp etc) error = RTSP protocol not supported! hope this helps peple to find a work around and yes i was using wifi as a connection)

mine doesnt open media player.. it opens REAL player... and says file not supported.. I dont get it

I also try to see why I cannot open link on my HTC Prophet. Maybe it needs at least WM5 to work?
It runs on my HTC Advantage with Wifi, ActiveSync, Bluetooth DUN to Sprint EV-DO, and T-Mobile Edge.
Funny thing is my Treo 700P works fine.
I will try my different HTC devices tonight to see if any of those is working with Youube Mobile.

unknown error (using activesync 4.5 on wm6). but that will get fixed. once its in google's hands its golden.

works on my trinity orange uk rom thru wifi. it uses pvplayer which i think is a version of realplayer/htc streaming media.

Staroip said:
http://m.youtube.com/
It works on my HTC Advantage and Palm Treo 700P but not on my Dopod 818 Pro
. You click the watch video link, it will bring up windows media player for the clips.
The disadvantage is that YouTube Mobile doesn't have all contents converted yet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
so you're saying it brings up windows media player and now windows streaming? how do i make internet explorer call wmp instead of streaming.

rzanology said:
so you're saying it brings up windows media player and now windows streaming? how do i make internet explorer call wmp instead of streaming.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am not sure about what "call wmp instead of streaming" means.
Do you mean you want WMP not to streaming? Which means save target link first instead of playing.
Or, get wmp to be the program to play video from YouTube?
YouTube Mobile uses .3gp format for its video instead of flash.
3gp is a simplified version of the MP4. (Which is supposed to be std. for 3G phones)
Basically, whatever program associated with .3gp will take it over when you click the "watch video" link.

I too get the "unspecified error" in WMP.

Viatorx, use TCPMP.

I also had the problem of it trying to open realplayer and not working. I did a hard reset and voila, it works through the streaming player now. I am slowly re=adding my apps and I'm starting to think it may be the Custel Cingular Apps program.... I hope not, as I like the programs. I'm using 3g's take on lvsw rom..... fyi

HI
If i am not mistaken basically you need to load an appropriate media player that supports the YouTube streaming format and it will work. i believe that RSFTP is what u get on WMP10, so if the format coming out on YouTube is not RSFTP u not gonna b able to play it off WMP!

HTC Streaming Media
The mobile YouTube video site { works best with the HTC streaming media player v2.10 build 1025.621} It comes on most wm6 rom. I have this player on my MDA, running Core 2.0, it works great and connects fast after you get to http//m.youtube.com using wifi.

Youtube launches the Stream Player and the player gives the error message "unable to find network" after a few seconds. Any suggestions?

rawmean said:
Youtube launches the Stream Player and the player gives the error message "unable to find network" after a few seconds. Any suggestions?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
same with me.

unable to view rtsp video on my o2 xda

hi all,
i have installed real player in my ppc to view the rtsp video stream. now the link of the stream in on a web page. when i open this web page on my ppc and click on the video stream link.....it automatically opens windows media player(which does not support rtsp video stream).
i want that upon clicking the video stream real player should open and start playing the stream.
is there any solution for this problem. in case this issue has already been addressed before in this forum, can someone point me in the correct direction
TIA
Manmay

manmay said:
hi all,
i have installed real player in my ppc to view the rtsp video stream. now the link of the stream in on a web page. when i open this web page on my ppc and click on the video stream link.....it automatically opens windows media player(which does not support rtsp video stream).
i want that upon clicking the video stream real player should open and start playing the stream.
is there any solution for this problem. in case this issue has already been addressed before in this forum, can someone point me in the correct direction
TIA
Manmay
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1, welcome to xda-dev
2, always search the Wiki first when you have a question. Your answer is at http://wiki.xda-developers.com/inde...nt (RealAudio and RealVideo) on my Pocket PC?

hello sir.
thnx for the response.
the problem is a bit different from what i think you have perceived.
i'm able to play the streaming video (rtsp) if i put the url "rtsp://xyz" directly in the player itself.(i'm using platform4 player). so that means the network is not the problem.
when i click on the link in web page (that contains the url "rtsp://xyz")....it opens the windows media player(which is obviously unable to open rtsp stream).....
what i want is, on clicking the link, instead of opening windows media player i want it to open platform 4 player..
i hope i'm clear enough.
thanks again
Manmay

Problems opening youtube videos

hello all,
i have the htc polaris(touch cruise) and i installed the flashvideobundle and the TCPMP player for playing youtube video's because the streaming media player isn't so good..the first time i opend a video it was played by the TCPMP player but now its opening with the streaming video player...i looked in the option etc.. but i can't see a way to open the videos with the TCPMP player..
reinstalled bundle and core player and still it opens with streaming video player.
Does anyone have an idea how to do this.
thanks

In TCPMP going to Options->Settings, Select page->File associations and marking Flash video checkbox might help..

Do you actually browse the full desktop version of youtube or do you use the mobile version?
Clips from the mobile version are NOT flv (=flash) files but 3GP video files which always open in streaming media. Use the "Video Sites" shortcut in your startmenu to navigate to youtube. If you still end up at the mobile version, see at the very bottom, there should be a link saying something like "take me to the desktop version." It should work that way.

johnsonc said:
In TCPMP going to Options->Settings, Select page->File associations and marking Flash video checkbox might help..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The checkbox is marked.but no good

schaggo said:
Do you actually browse the full desktop version of youtube or do you use the mobile version?
Clips from the mobile version are NOT flv (=flash) files but 3GP video files which always open in streaming media. Use the "Video Sites" shortcut in your startmenu to navigate to youtube. If you still end up at the mobile version, see at the very bottom, there should be a link saying something like "take me to the desktop version." It should work that way.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tried both.with opera browser it always opens the mobile version could not get it to open de desktop version.with the regular internet browser i opend the desktop version and it stil uses the streaming media player.

Ok i found something..i used 3G to connect(before i connected with WIFI) and i was able to play the videos at the desktop version with the TCPMP player.using my wifi it plays with streaming media player.
But connected with 3G on the youtube mobile it stil uses the streaming media player..its a shame because mobile version is damn faster...
But still any recomendations are wellcome....
thanks schaggo and johnsonc

hi,
i used to have the same problem than yours it was my provider sfr that blocks streaming in daylimotion and whan i connect with wifi all works.

I have the same problem. TCMP (with flash-video-bundle) doesnt start if I click a video at http://m.youtube.com. I tried several options, but it didnt help.

mastra said:
I have the same problem. TCMP (with flash-video-bundle) doesnt start if I click a video at http://m.youtube.com. I tried several options, but it didnt help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Because videos on m.youtube.com are NOT FLASH VIDEO FILES, they are re-encoded to 3gp format. Every cellphone with GPRS, even the most stupid Nokia and Motorola can play 3gp files off m.youtube.com.
Go to http://www.youtube.com/?nomobile=1 with Pocket Internet Explorer, Opera doesnt work.
If it still doesnt work: uninstall the FlashBundle, softreset, reinstall the FlashBundle (be sure to use the lastest version from their homepage) and it'll work.
Again:
m.youtube.com = stupid for all cellphones, NOT the same as regular youtube, almost no movies, re-encoded to 3gp by youtube
Opera doesnt work, it doesnt support the FlashBundle plugin
I suggest to unset Opera as default browser and then use the Video Sites shortcut in your Programs menu.

[Q] Watch Internet Streams on Omnia?

Hi,
Is it possible to watch internet Streams (like Justin TV) on the Omnia?
I tried to watch the stream directly in the browser (Opera 10, Internet Explorer) , but that does not work
At the site where the video is usually, is nothing.
It would be nice if someone could answer me.
Sorry for my English

I've seen someone who has watched with his IPhone Internet streams, he said that he had a special app for that.
There should be something like this also for the Omnia

No one knows?

Are you talking about using flash within the browser to watch videos? Because that can be done on the Omnia. You can use Coreplayer to watch streams though, and TCPMP I think can also stream with right plugins.

Well.. when I open the site with my PC and click with the right mouse button on the stream stands there, that this is an Adobe Flash Player 10 Plugin.
And yes, it is in the browser.
I already have a stream player on the Omnia, it's from Samsung and will open For example when I click a video on Youtube.
The only problem is that I can not identify the direct URL of the stream, so i cant enter it in the Player...