Convert FLV to MP4
About FLV
FLV (Flash Video) is a container format that was used to deliver video over the Internet using the Adobe Flash Player. For many years, it was the de facto standard for web video, used by sites like YouTube and Hulu. However, with the decline of Flash due to security issues and the rise of HTML5 video, FLV is now a deprecated and obsolete format.
About MP4
MP4 is the most widely used video file format in the world. It's a multimedia container that can store video, audio, subtitles, and images. Its success is due to its excellent balance of high-quality compression, which results in relatively small file sizes, and its universal compatibility across virtually all devices, browsers, and platforms. It most commonly uses the H.264 video codec and the AAC audio codec.
FLV vs MP4
| Feature | FLV | MP4 |
|---|---|---|
| Streaming Support | true | true |
| Subtitle Support | false | true |
| DRM Support | true | true |
| Quality Rating | 2 | 5 |
| Patent Status | proprietary | patented |
| Year Introduced | 2003 | 2001 |
| Developed By | Adobe | ISO/IEC |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Flash completely dead?
Yes, Adobe officially ended support for Flash Player at the end of 2020, and all major browsers have removed it. While FLV files can still be played in some media players like VLC, the technology is considered obsolete and should not be used for new content.
Why was Flash replaced by HTML5?
Flash was replaced because it was a proprietary plugin that suffered from poor performance, security vulnerabilities, and a lack of support on mobile devices. HTML5 video is a web standard that is built directly into browsers, making it more secure, efficient, and universally compatible.
Is MP4 the same as MPEG-4?
Not exactly. MPEG-4 is a compression standard, while MP4 is a container format. An MP4 file often contains video compressed with the MPEG-4 standard (specifically, codecs like H.264), but the MP4 container can also hold video encoded with other standards, like H.265.
Is MP4 better than MOV?
For general use, especially for web streaming and sharing, MP4 is better due to its universal support and smaller file sizes. MOV is a professional, high-quality format that is excellent for video editing, especially within the Apple ecosystem, but it is less compatible and results in larger files.
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