Converting MP4 to SWF

1 Overview

MP4 videos going forward will be the video format playable in all browsers, but if you are trying to play video in older browsers FLASH video is still the way to go.

For more details on what works and what doesn't try http://www.w3schools.com/html/html5_video.asp

So if you do have an MP4 video, what can you do to make sure it'll play in your older browser. Short answer, convert it.

There are free tools available, but one in particular is something we found exceptionally useful.

2 Converting

First you need your MP4 video to convert. Put it somewhere handy on the desktop. This process also facilitates numerous file converstions.

Now you need a converter. Here is a great free one. http://www.dvdvideosoft.com/products/dvd/Free-Video-to-Flash-Converter.htm#.VZEogUZL7iU

As you install that software, please just watch out for the extra tool bars and optimisation software that you don't need. You can decline them, but please be careful.

DVDVideoSoft do provide a step by step. http://www.dvdvideosoft.com/guides/free-video-to-flash-converter.htm

You install the tool. When installed, open it, then you can drag and drop all your MP4 videos into the main window.

In the bottom left make sure "FLV" is the output type and leave the size setting at "original quality". Click convert in the bottom right. Your converted videos will output to your My Documents > My Videos folder.

Please note that this tool is not a bxp tool but is very handy when supporting older browser and backward compatible content.

3 Further support

If you do need a hand going through this tool and how it works, we can indeed help. We may need remote access to your machine to get you going, which would involve using TeamViewer or similar tool to remote control your machine.