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Convert AVI to FLV - Legacy Flash Video Format

Transform AVI files to FLV format for Flash players and video archives.

Step 1: Upload your files

You can also Drag and drop files.

Step 2: Choose format
Step 3: Convert files

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Working with Legacy Flash Video Systems?

You have AVI files that need to work with older Flash-based video players or legacy content management systems. While Flash is no longer actively developed, many archival systems and legacy platforms still require FLV format for playback.

Converting AVI files to FLV creates smaller, streaming-optimized videos that work with Flash Video players. In our testing, FLV files are typically 40-60% smaller than equivalent AVI files while maintaining reasonable quality for web viewing.

How to Convert AVI to FLV

  1. Upload your AVI file - Drag and drop or click to select your video
  2. Confirm FLV as output - FLV is selected as your target format
  3. Download your FLV video - Save the converted Flash Video file

The entire process runs in your browser. No software installation, no account required.

AVI vs FLV: Technical Comparison

Understanding these formats helps you decide when FLV conversion makes sense:

FeatureAVIFLV
Developed byMicrosoft (1992)Adobe/Macromedia (2002)
Primary useLocal playback, editingWeb streaming
File sizeLarger (less compression)Smaller (optimized for web)
Codec supportMultiple (DivX, XviD, etc.)Sorenson Spark, VP6, H.264
StreamingNot optimizedProgressive download
Current supportUniversalLegacy systems only

AVI was designed for local storage and playback. FLV was built specifically for early web video delivery with quick progressive playback and smaller file sizes.

When AVI to FLV Conversion Makes Sense

Legacy Content Management Systems

Some older enterprise CMS platforms and internal video systems were built around Flash. If you are maintaining these systems, FLV remains the required format for video uploads.

Archival Preservation

Organizations with existing FLV archives may need to add new content in the same format for consistency. Converting AVI source files to FLV maintains format uniformity across the archive.

Flash-Based Training Modules

Many corporate training systems built in the 2000s-2010s use Flash for video delivery. Adding new video content often requires FLV format to match existing infrastructure.

Vintage Gaming and Interactive Media

Flash-based games and interactive experiences that include video cutscenes typically require FLV format. Developers maintaining or updating these projects need FLV conversion capability.

File Size Reduction

One practical benefit of AVI to FLV conversion is significant file size reduction. In our testing with standard definition video content:

  • A 100MB AVI file typically converts to 40-50MB FLV
  • Reduction is greater with longer videos
  • Quality remains acceptable for web viewing purposes

This compression comes from FLV's streaming-optimized encoding, which prioritizes efficient delivery over maximum quality preservation.

Important: Modern Alternatives

Before converting to FLV, consider whether a modern format would work better for your needs:

  • AVI to MP4 - Universal compatibility, works everywhere including web, mobile, and desktop
  • AVI to WEBM - Open format optimized for HTML5 video
  • AVI to MKV - Flexible container for high-quality video archiving

Adobe discontinued Flash Player in December 2020. For new projects, MP4 with H.264 encoding provides the best combination of quality, compatibility, and file size. Only choose FLV if you specifically need Flash compatibility.

Playing FLV Files After Conversion

After converting your AVI to FLV, you will need appropriate software to play the files:

  • VLC Media Player - Free, open-source, plays FLV without issues
  • Standalone Flash players - Legacy software still available for download
  • Web-based FLV players - Some still exist for specific use cases

Major platforms like YouTube and Facebook can accept FLV uploads and will transcode them automatically. However, most modern video players and browsers no longer support native FLV playback.

Batch Conversion for Large Collections

Need to convert multiple AVI files to FLV? Upload your entire collection and convert them all at once. This is particularly useful when:

  • Migrating a video library to a legacy system
  • Preparing content for Flash-based archives
  • Processing surveillance footage for older viewing systems

Each file converts independently, so you can download them as they complete.

Works on Any Device

Our AVI to FLV converter runs entirely in your browser:

  • Windows, Mac, Linux, Chromebook
  • Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge
  • iPhone, iPad, Android devices

No plugins, no downloads, no waiting. Just upload your AVI file and get FLV output.

Pro Tip

If you are converting for a legacy Flash-based system, check what video codec the system expects. Older Flash players (pre-Flash 8) only support Sorenson Spark, while newer ones handle VP6 and H.264. Codec mismatch causes playback failures.

Common Mistake

Converting to FLV for new web projects when MP4 would work better. FLV was the standard before 2015, but HTML5 video with MP4/H.264 is now universal. Only use FLV when legacy Flash compatibility is specifically required.

Best For

Maintaining legacy content management systems, Flash-based training modules, or archival collections that already use FLV format. Useful when format consistency matters more than using the latest standards.

Not Recommended

Do not convert to FLV for new projects, mobile apps, or modern websites. Flash is discontinued and FLV has no advantages over MP4 for current use cases. Convert to MP4 instead for universal compatibility.

Frequently Asked Questions

FLV (Flash Video) is a video container format developed by Adobe for use with Flash Player. It was the dominant web video format from 2002-2015 before HTML5 video became standard. FLV files use Sorenson Spark, VP6, or H.264 video codecs with MP3 or AAC audio.

The main reasons are legacy system compatibility and archival consistency. Some older content management systems, training platforms, and Flash-based applications still require FLV format. Organizations maintaining these systems need AVI to FLV conversion to add new video content.

Adobe discontinued Flash Player in December 2020, so native browser support for FLV is gone. However, media players like VLC still play FLV files, and legacy systems that were built around Flash continue to use the format. The files themselves remain valid.

FLV files are typically 40-60% smaller than equivalent AVI files. A 100MB AVI video often converts to 40-50MB in FLV format. This reduction comes from FLV's streaming-optimized compression, though some quality loss occurs.

Yes, some quality reduction occurs because FLV uses lossy compression optimized for web streaming rather than maximum quality. The reduction is usually acceptable for web viewing but noticeable compared to the original AVI source file.

Yes, but you need a media player that supports FLV. VLC Media Player is the most reliable free option and plays FLV files without issues. Modern web browsers no longer support native FLV playback since Flash was discontinued.

Use MP4 for all new web video projects. MP4 with H.264 encoding works in every browser, every device, and every major platform. FLV is only appropriate when you specifically need compatibility with legacy Flash-based systems.

YouTube and Facebook accept FLV uploads and will automatically transcode them to modern formats. However, most other platforms do not accept FLV. For the widest compatibility, convert to MP4 before uploading to social media.

FLV supports three main video codecs: Sorenson Spark (the original Flash video codec), VP6 (better quality, used in Flash 8+), and H.264 (added in 2007 for HD content). Audio is typically MP3 or AAC.

Yes, our converter supports batch processing. Upload multiple AVI files simultaneously and convert them all to FLV in one session. Each file processes independently, so you can download completed files while others are still converting.

Basic metadata like duration and dimensions transfer during conversion. However, some AVI-specific metadata may not have FLV equivalents and will be lost. For archival purposes, keep your original AVI files alongside the FLV conversions.

Yes, conversion happens in your browser using client-side processing. Your video files are not uploaded to external servers. They remain on your device throughout the conversion process, ensuring privacy and security.

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