593 votes
FLV File - What is an .flv file and how do I open it?
Learn about .FLV files and view a list of programs that open them.
Languages
Overview
What is an FLV file? An FLV file is a video saved in the Adobe Flash Video (FLV) container format. It stores a short header, synchronized audio and video data streams (encoded the same way as streams in the standard Flash .SWF format), and metadata packets.
More Information FLV file open in VideoLAN VLC media player The FLV format was introduced with the release of Adobe Flash Player 7 in 2003. It is primarily utilized by Adobe Flash Player for delivering video content, such as movies and TV shows, online. However, FLV is an open format that is also supported by various non-Adobe/Macromedia programs. Users may create Flash Video content and export it as FLV files with the Flash Video Exporter plug-in (included with Adobe Animate) or another program with FLV file support. Users can also encode other video formats, such as QuickTime or Windows Media with Adobe Media Encoder. As web technologies improved in the 2010s, Flash became increasingly criticized for its shortcomings, which included performance and security issues. Eventually, the use of Flash Player and the FLV format declined, and Adobe and many web browser developers officially ended support for Flash on December 31, 2020. NOTE: Animate was formerly known as Flash, which was originally developed by Macromedia but then merged with Adobe in 2005. Flash became Animate in 2016.
Adobe Animate CC Icon
Breadcrumbs
DeveloperAdobe Systems
Popularity3.7 | 593 Votes
Previous / Next
In-Depth
.FLV File Extension
Flash Video
| Developer | Adobe Systems |
| Popularity |
3.7 | 593 Votes |
NEW: Open your .FLV file online with File Helper . View Online
What is an FLV file?
An FLV file is a video saved in the Adobe Flash Video (FLV) container format. It stores a short header, synchronized audio and video data streams (encoded the same way as streams in the standard Flash .SWF format), and metadata packets.
More Information
FLV file open in VideoLAN VLC media player
The FLV format was introduced with the release of Adobe Flash Player 7 in 2003. It is primarily utilized by Adobe Flash Player for delivering video content, such as movies and TV shows, online. However, FLV is an open format that is also supported by various non-Adobe/Macromedia programs.
Users may create Flash Video content and export it as FLV files with the Flash Video Exporter plug-in (included with Adobe Animate) or another program with FLV file support. Users can also encode other video formats, such as QuickTime or Windows Media with Adobe Media Encoder.
As web technologies improved in the 2010s, Flash became increasingly criticized for its shortcomings, which included performance and security issues. Eventually, the use of Flash Player and the FLV format declined, and Adobe and many web browser developers officially ended support for Flash on December 31, 2020.
NOTE: Animate was formerly known as Flash, which was originally developed by Macromedia but then merged with Adobe in 2005. Flash became Animate in 2016.
How to open an FLV file
You can open FLV files with Adobe Flash Player (multiplatform). However, Adobe no longer develops the software and recommends that you uninstall it for security reasons.
Some other options for opening and playing FLV files include Adobe Animate (multiplatform), Media Player Classic (Windows), and VideoLAN VLC media player (multiplatform).
How to convert an FLV file
You can use VideoLAN VLC media player (multiplatform), Xilisoft Video Converter Ultimate (Windows), or HandBrake (multiplatform) to convert FLV files to other video formats. For example, HandBrake can convert FLV files to the following formats:
Programs that open FLV files
Sort
Pricing
Program Name
Platform
Reset
X
Windows
File Viewer Plus
—
Get it from Microsoft
Free +
Adobe Flash Player
—
Discontinued
Free
Adobe Animate 2023
Free Trial
Xilisoft Video Converter Ultimate
Free Trial
VideoLAN VLC media player
Free
Media Player Classic
Free
Nullsoft Winamp
Free
RealNetworks RealPlayer 20/20
Free +
HandBrake
Free
Mac
Adobe Flash Player
—
Discontinued
Free
Adobe Animate 2023
Free Trial
Eltima Elmedia Player
Free +
VideoLAN VLC media player
Free
Apple QuickTime Player with Perian component
Included with OS
HandBrake
Free
Linux
VideoLAN VLC media player
Free
RealNetworks RealPlayer Cloud
HandBrake
Free
Web
FileHelper.com
Free
iOS
RealNetworks RealTimes: Video Maker
Free +
Android
antvplayer Media Converter
—
Discontinued
Free
J2 Interactive MX Player
Free
RealNetworks RealTimes Video Maker
Free +
Category: Video Files
Updated: May 2, 2023