Convert FLV to WEBM
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 WEBM
WebM is a video format sponsored by Google, designed specifically for the web. It is royalty-free and open-source, created to provide a high-quality, efficient alternative to patented formats like MP4 (H.264). It typically uses VP8 or VP9 video codecs and Vorbis or Opus audio codecs. WebM is optimized for streaming and is used heavily by YouTube.
FLV vs WEBM
| Feature | FLV | WEBM |
|---|---|---|
| Streaming Support | true | true |
| Subtitle Support | false | true |
| DRM Support | true | false |
| Quality Rating | 2 | 5 |
| Patent Status | proprietary | royalty-free |
| Year Introduced | 2003 | 2010 |
| Developed By | Adobe |
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 WebM better than MP4?
For web use, WebM can provide better compression (smaller file sizes at the same quality) than MP4 (using H.264). However, MP4 still has broader hardware support. For maximum compatibility across all devices, especially Apple devices, MP4 is often the safer choice, but WebM is an excellent, open alternative.
What is the main advantage of WebM?
Its main advantage is that it is a completely royalty-free and open-source format. This means developers and companies can implement it in their products without paying licensing fees, which is a major issue with codecs like H.264 and H.265.
Transform Your Videos with AI Subtitles & Closed Captions
Get started with 10 minutes of free transcription. No credit card required.