4 Steps to Free Flash Video Encoding

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Originally published at Internet.com

There are free Flash video encoding options and there are easy Flash video encoding options, but a new open source tool from Editopia aims to combine the two. nCode lets people create user-generated video sites at a fraction of the cost.

A server video directory created with nCode.

Editopia, based in the United Kingdom, started two years ago to create open source professional video editing tools. Under its previous name, Visual Media, it was a sponsor of open source video editor Jahshaka and the OpenLibraries project, free resources for building rich media applications.

With nCode, the company is taking aim at FFmpeg, an open source project that offers the same bulk encoding abilities, but that nCode marketing says is harder to use. nCode offers documentation and support options that should have anyone with a little server knowledge hosting a user-generated site in minutes.

To install nCode, follow these steps: 1. Download
Download the binary file from Editopia.

2. FTP
FTP the file to your server. nCode works on Redhat Enterprise Linux and Fedora Core Versions 5 to 7 only. The company chose to start with open source servers since their users would more likely embrace an open source encoding tool. They plan to support other OSs in the coming weeks.

3. Extract
Extract the file and run the setup application. The program will guide you through the steps of creating the necessary files on your server. You can set customization options to determine the quality of the encoded Flash video files.

4. Test
The nCode download comes with a sample video file, so that you can make sure the program is working.

That's all there is to it. Once done, you can create a custom upload page for your site, so that viewers can upload their own videos. There's no limit on the number of users who can upload or the amount of data that can be encoded.

Easy documentation is important for Editopia, so user can also download a clear nCode manual from the site. If you get stuck, the company promises some free e-mail support to get you going. As the program is new, the support options aren't completely ironed out yet, but the representative we spoke with promised a few hours of free help on an as-need basis. Paid help is also available, although the company hasn't set the price yet. The representative stressed that it would be set at a market rate. Other paid services include assisting with encoding customization and plug-in installation. Rates should be posted in the next few weeks.

nCode has already attracted some major site interest. Vzaar, a site that lets eBay posters include video in their listings, will be using it. Editopia also says that a "top ten video site" will switch to nCode soon, and they'll announce which site in a couple weeks.

If you're more interested in local encoding, you'll be happy to know that Editopia has plans to release a desktop application. Keep checking back to the Editopia site for more information.