Flash 8 poised to take on Web video

Macromedia plans to unveil its Flash 8 software early next month with an emphasis on video capabilities that some think could up-end the Web video market.

Macromedia is expected to announce the latest version of its signature Flash software Aug. 8, or 8/8, and release the software a few weeks later, said a source familiar with the company's plans. Macromedia, whose shareholders will vote on a proposed acquisition by Adobe Systems on Aug. 24, released the Flash 8 public beta, a test version, earlier this month.

Flash, originally a Web site animation tool, has emerged as a potentially formidable competitor in the race to build powerful Web-based applications. Macromedia has officially re-designated it as a platform for application development.

News.context

What's new:
Macromedia next month plans to launch Flash 8, the latest version of its signature software, with an emphasis on video capabilities.

Bottom line:
Flash, which has emerged as a potentially formidable competitor in the race to build powerful Web-based applications, could challenge Microsoft, RealNetworks and Apple and up-end the Web video market with Flash 8.

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But it is the software's video capabilities that are stirring the most interest, particularly among those who think the new version's improved codec, which is its particular video compression format, and various other advantages could make it a significant threat to Microsoft's Windows Media technology, RealNetworks' Real format and Apple Computer's QuickTime format.

"This new version of Flash is quite an improvement," said Tim Bajarin, an analyst with Creative Strategies in Campbell, Calif. "If positioned more as a media engine, then it could cause Real, Apple and Microsoft some concern since it will evolve into a competitive platform for streaming video."

Macromedia, which has penciled in a summer release date for Flash 8, declined to comment further on its timetable for the release.

The company has promised big changes in Flash 8, and many of them center on its video capabilities. Flash 8 boasts a new codec, On2 Technologies' VP6, that both companies claim will provide dramatically improved quality over the Flash 7 video codec. Flash 8 also supports alpha transparency, which lets authors combine Flash video with text, vector graphics and other Flash elements.

But while Macromedia touts Flash 8's new video bells and whistles, those betting on a Flash video ascendancy point to longstanding Flash benefits, particularly its cross-platform reach.

Because of its small size and its being bundled with Microsoft Windows and other operating systems, Flash is almost universally distributed. More than 98 percent of personal computers connected to the Web have some version of the Flash player installed, according to Macromedia, and more than 100 equipment manufacturers are building Flash into their devices.

In several demonstrations of Flash video in recent months, Macromedia has mocked the experience that some Web surfers go

"Over time I can see Flash eating away at the market."

--Chris Swenson, analyst,
NPD Group

through when trying to access RealNetworks or Windows Media video clips. In the demonstration, the people trying to access the video are confronted with dialogue boxes prompting the download of large players. Then they have to choose bandwidth speeds and other options.

Flash video, by contrast, is "playerless." That means video clips play embedded in the Web page, and Flash developers can design their own interfaces and determine their own buffers and other technical settings.

Macromedia's potential competitors say the software is too lightweight, failing to offer an array of features important to both media purveyors and consumers.

"Flash doesn't have digital rights management, and studios care about DRM," said Michael Schutzler, senior vice president of media for RealNetworks. "We are focused on intellectual property that has value, where DRM matters. Flash is fine for ads, but none of the studios are going to do this."

Microsoft defended the comparative bulk of Windows Media Player, saying the software does a number of things Flash couldn't. The

[aabcdefghij987654321]

Irritate and annoy

I hate flash. Its overarching purpose is to make irritating and annoying advertisements that move and make noise. The best improvement that they could make is giving users the ability to turn it off and on easily.

By the way, I use FlashBlock and AniDisable extensions in Firefox. It usually works great, but there are occaisions when flash gets through.

[jaximflash]

Despite annoying ads, Flash is Useful

Although I agree with you that many, MANY flash ads are EXTREMELY annoying, I would have to disagree with you that just because of a few bad apples, the entire Flash community should be casted as annoying and pointless.

I use Firefox's Adblock extension to block both annoying images and Flash ads. This allows me to keep seeing Flash which in many cases are very useful and adds to my viewing experience of the Internet.

Software Bloat Now a "Feature"

>Microsoft defended the comparative bulk of Windows Media
> Player,

This is perhaps the funniest comment I have EVER read in a Cnet article. Man, my side is splitting. Those monstrosities up in Redmond make nothing but bloated software. Now they've finally admitted as much and are actively touting it as a FEATURE! OMG. this is getting surreal.

[Andrew J Glina]

Errr....

Calm down. It was not quoted. Thus you could just be reading Paul Festa's atitude.

[Earl Benser]

Flash does seem like....

... too little, too late. There is also an impression that Flash 8 might
be a ploy for the upcoming sale to Adobe, if it happens. But then, if
Adobe does buy Macromedia, Flash should bulk up like all the rest
of Adobe's products. That should be the end of Flash, whatever the
version is by then.

Huh?

The Adobe sale is fairly recent news, and I'm sure Flash 8 has been
in development for quite a while. Also, if you're familiar with all the
new features being added to version 8 (even aside from the video
stuff), it's pretty obvious that this release goes far beyond a fresh
coat of paint and a version increment. Also, I don't see how Adobe
will bloat Flash to death... They've been 'bloating' Photoshop for
awhile now. C'mon nobody uses THAT app. :)

[zabadak]

SEO

Flash will never be accepted as a major platform while Search Engines cannot deal with it. When will Macromedia address this issue?

Flash and search engines

More on that subject here:

http://news.com.com/Flash+authors+ponder+Google+pitfalls/2100-1032_3-5657666.html

[JuggerNaut]

It's about time!

It's good to see Macromedia and On2 deliver Flash for video
streaming. One thing that's annoying about the other media
players (except for Real Player) is the lack of cross-platform
compatibility. Ever since Flash started doing video (check out
FOXNews.com), no matter what system your using (Mac, Windows
and/or Linux), you can view the video without getting snubbed by
some proprietary technology that only works on a single operating
system.

[Trane Francks]

Let's hope ...

So far, I've been less than thrilled with c|net's use of Flash for video content. No matter that I have 1.5 Mbit ADSL, c|net content always seems to rebuffer during viewing. Flash 8 better be a whole lot leaner before I'll be happy with it.

No standalone player...

If you happen to get your hands on a Flash Video file (.flv) you
can't just double-click and play it. Until those play in a
standalone way, Flash will never hold a candle to QT, Real, or
WM with the general public. I strongly support Flash and its
video features, but lack of stand alone playability is not wise.

[Frank Madaio]

Flash 8 Video

Flash 8 video files, flv files, do not post well online, my videos
do not show up??? Anone run into this problem, I have the
player!!!!