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Encode FLV with Alpha Channel
Hello,
So, I have done this in the past, but this time around I am experiencing some issues…
I am looking to have an FLV encoded with Alpha Channel, the FLV will load and play on a web page with a transparent background, so that the viewer will see the subject delivering a message with the web page as the background.
I have edited and keyed the video in FCP 6. Exported the QT file as Animation Codec with Million Plus colors. Once the QT file has been exported, I have then brought that file back into the FCP timeline to ensure the Alpha Channel has been preserved. To further confirm that the Alpha Channel has been preserved, I have also opened the QT file up in QT, previewed the Video Properties, selected the drop down that will allow for me to view the alpha channel with a white background. So, I know the Alpha Channel is in the QT file.
Then, I drop the file into the Flash CS3 Video Encoder. Select the ‘Encode Alpha Channel’ checkbox. I am encoding with the On2VP6 codec. The Alpha Channel is being lost on this step…
Any help out there???
Thankfully, my client has been very kind and patient, but I need to wrap this up as I am way over the due date that I set. I did not foresee this issue as I have done this in the past with no hitches…
Your help is greatly appreciated!
Jason
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3 Replies
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How are you checking if the movie has an alpha or not?
I just did a trial exactly as you did. Even reimported the Animation millions colors+ movie back into FCP and it showed alpha.In the FLV export dialog box too I could see a white background where alpha exists. When I exported the FLV is opens with a black background. So how does one check if there is an alpha or not?
I could upload my movie to you to check.
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Neil Sadwelkar
neilsadwelkar.blogspot.com
twitter: fcpguru
FCP Editor, Edit systems consultant
Mumbai India -
To check if the QT file has preserved the Alpha Channel, I imported that QT file back into FCP, dropped it in the timeline on V2 and slid another layer behind it on V1, then I could easily see that the Alpha Channel was preserved.
To further confirm, you can also open the QT file in QT, press keyboard shortcut Command + J, select Video Track, in the lower left you’ll see a drop down, you can select ‘Straight Alpha’ in that drop down and see a white background where the Alpha is.
So, from there, I’ve imported the QT file, with Alpha Channel into Flash Video Encoder, selected my settings (with the ‘Encode Alpha Channel’ box checked), the Flash Video Encoded loosed the Alpha Channel on the encode. In the initial preview mode (big window when selecting encode settings), the Alpha is present, as soon as I press the button to encode, the Alpha is lost and a black background is there.
Really stumped on this one. Any help is greatly appreciated.
In the back of my mind I keep thinking that maybe the pixels need to be changed from square to rectangle or visa-versa, any thought on that???
Jason
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Hey there Jason.
Maybe I can help you out. my final cut pro export worked as well with an alpha channel. however when I converted it to .flv I also thought my alpha channel was lost.
In my case I turned out to be wrong. the alpha channel was not lost, its just not visible in flash media player etc. its hard to figure out since FCP doesnt import .flv and neither does After Effects. But It turned out that Adobe Premiere Pro does import .flv so by putting another video behind my footage with alpha layer I found out that my alpha layer was actually there.
I hope I helped anybody.
Sorry for the crappy english
-tjoeme-
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