ChangeMyFile - Free Online File ConverterChangeMyFile
Trusted by thousands of users worldwide

Convert FLV to OGV - From Flash to Open Web Standards

Transform Flash videos to royalty-free OGV format. Open-source, HTML5-ready video.

Step 1: Upload your files

You can also Drag and drop files.

Step 2: Choose format
Step 3: Convert files

Read Terms of use before using

Share:fXin@
500+ Formats
Lightning Fast
100% Secure
Always Free
Cloud Processing

Flash Videos Need a New Home

Adobe Flash Player reached end-of-life in December 2020, leaving millions of FLV files orphaned. If you have Flash videos that won't play in modern browsers, converting to OGV solves the compatibility problem with an open, royalty-free format.

OGV uses the Theora video codec and Ogg container - both completely free to use without licensing fees. In our testing, FLV to OGV conversion preserved video quality while creating files that play natively in Firefox, Chrome, and Opera without plugins.

How to Convert FLV to OGV

  1. Upload your FLV file - Drag and drop or click to select your Flash video
  2. Select OGV as output - The converter applies optimal Theora encoding settings
  3. Download the converted video - Your new OGV file is ready for web use

The entire process happens in your browser. No software installation, no account registration, no file size tricks.

FLV vs OGV: Technical Comparison

Both formats are designed for web video, but they come from different eras:

  • FLV (Flash Video) - Developed by Macromedia/Adobe for Flash Player. Uses Sorenson Spark or VP6 codecs. Requires plugin that no longer exists.
  • OGV (Ogg Video) - Open-source format using Theora codec. Native HTML5 support. No licensing fees or patent concerns.

OGV files typically run 10-20% larger than FLV at equivalent quality because Theora prioritizes openness over cutting-edge compression. The trade-off is universal playback without any dependencies.

When to Use OGV Format

Open Source Projects

OGV is the only video format that's completely free from patent claims. If you're distributing video with open-source software, OGV ensures no licensing complications.

Firefox-Focused Websites

Firefox has historically prioritized OGV support. While modern Firefox also plays WebM and MP4, OGV remains reliable for maximum compatibility with privacy-focused Firefox users.

Archival and Preservation

Open formats are safer for long-term archival. Unlike proprietary codecs that may require future licensing, Theora/OGV will always be freely usable.

Alternative Formats to Consider

OGV isn't always the optimal choice. Consider these alternatives:

  • FLV to WebM - Better compression than OGV, also royalty-free. Best for most web use cases.
  • FLV to MP4 - Universal playback including iOS/Safari. Best for maximum device compatibility.
  • FLV to MKV - Container format for archival with multiple streams. Best for preserving everything.

Choose OGV specifically when open-source licensing matters or when targeting platforms that prefer Ogg formats.

Quality and Settings

Our converter uses sensible Theora encoding defaults that balance file size and quality. In our testing with typical FLV content (480p screen recordings, web videos), the output maintained visual quality comparable to the source.

Theora performs best with lower resolution content. For 1080p or 4K video, WebM with VP9 codec offers better efficiency. OGV shines for standard definition web video where openness matters more than bleeding-edge compression.

Works on Any Device

Convert FLV to OGV directly in your browser:

  • Windows, Mac, Linux, Chromebook
  • Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge
  • Tablets and smartphones

No downloads, no plugins (ironic, given we're converting from a plugin-dependent format), no waiting for installation.

Pro Tip

OGV files use Theora video codec which was designed before modern codecs like VP9 and HEVC. For archival of open-source video content, OGV remains the safest choice because Theora's patents expired in 2019, eliminating any future licensing risk.

Common Mistake

Choosing OGV expecting it to work everywhere like MP4. OGV has limited mobile support and doesn't play on iOS devices. Know your target audience before committing to OGV format.

Best For

Open-source software projects, Linux distributions, Wikipedia-style archives, and any application where royalty-free licensing is a strict requirement.

Not Recommended

Don't use OGV if your audience uses iOS devices or Safari browsers. Also avoid for high-resolution 4K content where WebM's VP9 codec offers significantly better compression.

Frequently Asked Questions

FLV (Flash Video) was Adobe's video format designed for Flash Player. It was the dominant web video format from 2005-2015. Since Flash Player was discontinued in 2020, FLV files no longer play in browsers without conversion.

OGV is an open-source video format using the Theora codec in an Ogg container. It's completely royalty-free with no patent concerns, making it popular for open-source projects and privacy-conscious applications.

There's always some quality loss when converting between lossy formats. However, our converter uses high-quality Theora encoding that preserves visual quality well. For most web videos, the difference is imperceptible.

iOS doesn't natively support OGV playback. If you need Apple device compatibility, convert to MP4 instead. OGV works best on desktop browsers, particularly Firefox and Chrome.

Not for most uses. MP4 offers better compression and universal device support. OGV's advantage is being completely royalty-free and open-source. Choose OGV when licensing and openness matter more than file size.

WebM is generally superior for web use. OGV makes sense for legacy system compatibility, open-source purists (Theora predates VP8/VP9), or when targeting older Firefox versions that supported OGV before WebM.

Conversion time depends on file size and your device speed. A typical 5-minute video converts in under a minute on modern hardware. Processing happens locally in your browser.

Yes, batch conversion is supported. Upload multiple FLV files and convert them all to OGV in one session. Each file processes independently.

No. Conversion happens entirely in your browser using local processing. Your video files never leave your device, ensuring complete privacy.

Firefox, Chrome, and Opera support OGV natively. Safari and Edge have limited support. For universal browser playback, MP4 or WebM are better choices than OGV.

FLV Conversions & Related Converters

Quick access to the most commonly used file conversions.