The innovators at On2 have been leading the pack in the development of Internet video codecs for years. Flix Pro 8 is an encoding environment that gives the user access to advanced video codecs for converting video files into Adobe Flash compatible FLV and SWF files. The primary use for Flash video is the Web, but it is increasingly used for other digital media applications (cell phones, iPods, etc.). The quality of the video made with Flix Pro 8 is significantly better than what you can get out of the Flash application alone.

While the latest version Flix Pro 8.5 includes the older Flash MX codec (also developed by On2), which is compatible with the Flash 6 Player that’s still on many computers, the real excitement is the VP6 codec. At higher broadband bandwidths, high-quality, large (up to full screen) VP6 encoded video can be delivered to most computers. At lower bandwidths, surprisingly good images at small and medium sizes can be delivered. Because of this, VP6 is gradually replacing MX as the go-to codec for Internet video ads.

VP6 encoded video requires the Flash 7 player installed on the Web browser for viewing. Compatibility is not really a problem, since most computers out there already have the Flash 7 Player installed. (The leading-edge among you, I realize, have already downloaded the Flash 9 Player.) Most Web sites that use Flash are programmed to detect the presence or absence of the Flash 7 player and guide the user into a quick, free upgrade, if needed.

The Flix Pro 8.5 interface is clean and supports both a simple, preset-based workflow and a deeper, highly customizable workflow with several unique features. Taking the simple route is a matter of selecting a source file, a destination folder and an encoding preset, and then clicking the "encode" button. Presets are available for Flash 8 SWF and FLV Video; Flash MX SWF and FLV Video; Flash 3+ SWF Video; Vector SWF Video; and Audio Only SWF and FLV. Each group of presets has a range of bandwidth settings, from very low (dial-up) to very high (CD). The batch processor function is critical, as large files can take a long time to crunch. There are advanced controls for video functions, including cropping and simple editing, that are also essential when preparing videos for encoding.

There are filters for deinterlacing, noise reduction, brightness, contrast, hue and saturation. Other features include fine controls for data rate, streaming parameters and precise two-pass controls. An alpha channel encoding function lets you deliver partially transparent video images to a Web page.

Not ready to shell out $249? Flix Exporter 8 for Flash, a plug-in version, works with apps that accept QuickTime plug-ins, such as Final Cut Pro, Apple Compressor and Adobe After Effects. It lacks some of the advanced controls of the stand-alone application, however. A cheaper stand-alone version is Flix Standard 8, again with fewer features than the full version.