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Convert FLV to AVI - Play Flash Videos Anywhere

Convert legacy Flash videos to universally compatible AVI format.

Step 1: Upload your files

You can also Drag and drop files.

Step 2: Choose format
Step 3: Convert files

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Flash Videos That Won't Play?

FLV files were the internet video standard during the Flash era, but Flash Player is now discontinued and most devices can't open these files anymore. If you have old FLV videos from YouTube downloads, online courses, or archived content, you need a way to play them.

Converting to AVI solves the problem. AVI is one of the oldest and most widely supported video formats, playing natively on Windows Media Player and countless older devices that struggle with modern codecs.

How to Convert FLV to AVI

  1. Upload your FLV file - Drag and drop or click to select your Flash video
  2. Confirm AVI output - AVI is selected for maximum compatibility with older systems
  3. Download your video - Your converted AVI file is ready to play anywhere

The entire process happens in your browser. No Flash Player needed, no software to install.

FLV vs AVI: Technical Differences

Both formats have been around for decades, but they serve different purposes:

  • FLV (Flash Video) - Developed by Adobe for web streaming. Required Flash Player which was discontinued in December 2020. Uses VP6 or H.264 video codecs with MP3 or AAC audio.
  • AVI (Audio Video Interleave) - Microsoft's container format from 1992. Works natively on Windows without additional codecs. Supports virtually any video and audio codec combination.

In our testing, AVI files converted from FLV maintain the original quality while gaining native Windows support without requiring any additional software.

When to Choose AVI

Older Windows Systems

Windows XP, Vista, and Windows 7 machines handle AVI natively. If you're working with legacy systems that can't be updated, AVI ensures playback without codec hunting.

Legacy Video Editing Software

Older versions of video editing programs like early Premiere, Movie Maker, or Sony Vegas have better AVI support than newer formats. For archival editing projects, AVI keeps things simple.

DVD Authoring

Creating DVDs from old Flash content? Many DVD authoring tools expect AVI input. Convert first, then author your disc.

Hardware Media Players

Some standalone DVD players and media streamers from the 2000s support AVI but not modern formats. If your living room setup includes older hardware, AVI is often your best bet.

Consider Alternatives

AVI works great for legacy systems, but consider other formats for modern use:

  • FLV to MP4 - Best for smartphones, tablets, and modern devices. Smaller files with excellent quality.
  • FLV to MKV - Ideal for archiving with multiple audio tracks or subtitles.
  • FLV to MOV - Better choice for Mac users and Apple devices.

Choose AVI when your priority is compatibility with older Windows systems and legacy software.

Convert Multiple Files

Have a collection of old Flash videos? Upload multiple FLV files and convert them all to AVI in one batch. No need to process files one at a time when you're archiving an entire folder of legacy content.

Works in Any Browser

Our converter runs entirely in your web browser:

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

No plugins, no downloads, no Flash Player required. The conversion happens right on your device.

Pro Tip

If you're archiving old FLV files from a website backup, check for multiple quality versions. Flash video players often stored 240p, 360p, and 480p versions separately. Convert the highest quality source available.

Common Mistake

Trying to install old Flash Player versions or sketchy codec packs to play FLV files. This creates security risks. Converting to AVI or MP4 is the safe approach for viewing legacy Flash content.

Best For

Playing old Flash videos on Windows XP/Vista/7 machines, legacy video editing projects, DVD authoring, and hardware media players that only support classic formats.

Not Recommended

If you're using a modern computer or smartphone, convert to MP4 instead. AVI is ideal for legacy compatibility but creates larger files than necessary for current devices.

Frequently Asked Questions

FLV (Flash Video) was Adobe's streaming video format used extensively on the web from 2002-2020. Websites like early YouTube, Vimeo, and countless others used FLV before switching to HTML5 video. Since Flash Player's discontinuation in December 2020, FLV files can't play in browsers.

Adobe discontinued Flash Player at the end of 2020, and browsers removed Flash support. FLV files required Flash Player to play in web browsers. Converting to AVI or another modern format lets you watch these videos again.

For playback compatibility, yes. AVI works natively on Windows and most media players without requiring any plugins. FLV requires discontinued Flash technology. For file size, FLV was typically smaller due to better compression, but AVI's universal compatibility makes it more practical today.

We convert at high quality settings to preserve the original video. FLV files are typically already compressed, so the converted AVI will maintain that same quality level. You won't see noticeable degradation in the output.

Not by default. Windows Media Player can't play FLV files without installing third-party codec packs, which can be risky. Converting to AVI gives you a format Windows Media Player handles natively without any additional software.

Use AVI for older systems (Windows XP/Vista/7), legacy editing software, and hardware media players from the 2000s. Use MP4 for modern devices like smartphones, tablets, and current computers. MP4 has better compression but AVI has broader legacy support.

AVI files are typically larger than FLV due to less efficient compression. Expect your converted file to be 20-50% bigger than the original FLV, though this varies based on video content and duration.

Yes. Upload multiple FLV files and convert them all to AVI in one batch. This is useful when archiving old Flash video collections or processing content downloaded before Flash's end of life.

Yes. The conversion happens in your browser on your device. Your FLV files aren't uploaded to any server. Everything is processed locally, so your videos remain private.

No. Our converter works without Flash Player. The conversion uses modern browser technology to read and convert FLV files, even though Flash is no longer available.

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