Search Forum Home   WGD Forum  Book Reviews  Flash 8 Video...  Flash 8 Video    3/27/2007 5:09:22 PM Mariette 13 posts Flash 8 Video Book Review by Mariette Van Garderen on Flash 8 Video (2006), by Tom Green and Jordan Chilcott (Peachpit Press). The Flash 8 Video book is intended for both the amateur and professional Flash enthusiasts. This book would help the beginner to understand how Flash 8 video works and help the professional gain more understanding with the video capabilities of Flash.  Flash 8 Video is a must read for developers who wish to grow in their understanding of this upcoming standard for the web. The book begins with a witty introduction to the frustrations that Internet users experience accessing streaming video on the web. Since many problems exist with other web streaming applications for the web, the need for the power of Flash encoder is growing. Other media players are slow, buggy, and are browser dependent. Flash, on the other hand, works well with a variety of browsers, and has a huge advantage on video compression when compared to other existing media players. If a developer is serious about using video technology for the web, then Flash 8 is a necessary tool to overcome these video streaming challenges. In the first few chapters, the authors explain and illustrate the advantages of the Flash 8 encoder. They also discuss the power of using Flash to convert movies created in other applications. They offer practical step-by-step exercises demonstrating how to create a FLV file from a .mov file from other applications such as QuickTime and Movie Maker. The writers also give detailed information on other FLV creation applications and encourage experimentation to achieve the developer’s desired results. This process provides optimal video compression and is one of the most powerful features of Flash 8. In addition, the book contains a good balance between technical information for more “seasoned” professionals and easy to understand language for those not yet acquainted with the power of Flash video. The authors include plenty of examples using screen shots and highlighted text to emphasize important techniques and features of Flash 8. This book integrates Actionscript into the technical directions for the amateur learning the language behind the application. Furthermore, it provides a variety of Flash projects from simple to advanced. The more advanced techniques are in the latter half of the book, but other approaches are also written for the individual who would like to increase his or her skill using Actionscript. In chapter four, one of the most important chapters according to the authors, details are given on how to build a custom video controller using built-in components in Flash 8 and using Actionscript for custom effects. There is content for all skill levels in this chapter! Another important feature in the Flash 8 Video book are the several interesting examples of using other Adobe applications with Flash like After Effects 7, Premiere Professional 2 and Flash Professional 8. Additionally other features shown in the book include basic instructions on creating, encoding and streaming Flash video for the web. More advanced capabilities of the application are also included like “keying out” the background using alpha channels. Another aspect of the book shows how to use the power of Actionscript to apply blend modes, create masks, and a variety of other effects for Flash video. The creative potential is limitless with Actionscript behind the Flash 8 application. This book was one of the most entertaining technical books that I have read. Although the authors do not proclaim to be experts, their helpful explorations with the video encoder within Flash 8 give insight to the amateur and professional developer using Flash as a web application for video content.  They have a knack for bridging the gap between the “freak and geek” worlds. This book would appeal to designers as well as developers and hopefully help individuals from both worlds to communicate better with each other! By using the common language of Actionscript, perhaps this is more possible. Enough said, Flash 8 Video is a resource and an inspiration for all skill levels.  Page 1 of 1   WGD Forum  Book Reviews  Flash 8 Video... Flat View Tree View Oldest To Newest Newest To Oldest