September 7, 2004
New Flash Online Video Possibilities
With the entrance of Macromedia Flash 2004 Professional, new online video possibilities have opened. Currently, the main multimedia products for integrating video online are the Real Player, Quicktime 6, Windows Media Player and the new Flash Video. While Real and Windows Media essentially follow a 'television' model with limited interactivity, both Quicktime and Flash allow more robust models with new possibilities for film/video, information architecture, interactivity and online multimedia possibility. This entry explores a few new Flash video possibilities for multimedia and online digital libraries.
The Flash Video gallery essentially presents a contact sheet interface with a 6x6 set of thumbnails of various Flash video projects. The database can be queried (filtered) in one of two way (by industry, by region) through a series of radio buttons and checklist submenus. Interactively, the database responds interactively visually 'alphaing' (whitening out) thumbnails that are not in picked categories. When a thumbnail is pressed, an elegant larger information window opens on the left hand side of the interface with a miniaturized version of the website and a brief description of the site and link to developer. The website can then be launched in a large window if further examination is warranted. To abstract, the innovation is the 'searching' capabilities enabled in online video with a combination of 'thumbnails' and database querying mechanisms.
Technically, the video gallery is made up of an SWF file, actionscript files, XML to supply external data and the videos that are stored in separate files. This application is deconstructed and source code provided at http://www.macromedia.com/devnet/mx/flash/articles/vidgal_structure.html
Another innovative model presents, a spokesperson type video presentation with a synchronized graphics powerpoint style presentation. On the left, a presenter caught in video close up speaks while a Powerpoint style presentation occurs frame right illustrating points. Underneath, a set of thumbnails chronologically stamp the presentation's progress. Again, this presentation combines audio video and animation and is captivating as a learning tool.
A third possibility combines video with thumbnails of various sequences of a longer narrative (say, a wedding) with accompanying metadata describing events (i.e. arrival of guests, ceremony, etc.). This methodology is useful for longer chronological videos. It effectively combines 'text' and iconic based (thumbnails) navigation. Text is able to be 'embedded' directly onto the video through an alpha layer which relates to the different 'chapters of events' and could be used both as 'metadata' or commentary. The other example here (Sports video showcase) effectively presents a large amount of video in an elegant and easily navigable information space.
In all examples presented, the key difference with previous antecedent video technologies is the enhanced interactivity and opened 'search capabilities'. Medium possibilities of the computer in tandem with a digital video library are used more effectively. Technically, videos can be streamed, embedded or made into progressive downloads. To stream, either the Flash communication server or a publicly available service is available. In short, further experimentation with this technology should be pursued as the possibilities here seem a clear direction towards the future.