Converting .flv to avi

[SupaDupaGamer]

I'm trying to convert the Transformers teaser trailer which is in .flv, and I've searched this forum for answers, but nothing has helped. The tools I've tried are:

Riva FLV Encoder
Super (which Baldrick has recommended over and over again...)
Total Video Converter
vsoConvertXtoDVD

None of these have worked. I'm on Windows XP.

[Ai Haibara]

SUPER can only convert/view FLVs that use the FLV codec. It can't convert FLVs that use other codecs, such as VP6. I don't know about any of the others, such as Riva, as I haven't tried anything other than SUPER, really.

However, you can also try VLC. If the FLV plays in VLC, you can use its streaming/transcoding abilities to convert the FLV to an AVI. (Load the FLV, then select File > Wizard (or press Ctrl-W) and pick "Transcode/Save to file" in the Streaming/Transcoding Wizard, then press Next>. You can then pick the output options.

There are other methods, of course, but I haven't really tried any of them (the few FLVs I've tried to convert all worked with SUPER).

[jagabo]

I use VirtualDubMod and AVISynth (DirectShowSource) along with an FLV splitter.

[SupaDupaGamer]

I tried VLC, but that didn't work.

And I don't know how AVISYNTH works because those kind of tools are too advanced for moi.

[jagabo]

Just install AVISynth. You don't have to do anything directly with it. Use VirtualDubMod's "Open Video Files with AVISynth" function, select "DirectShowSource" as the template. Then open the FLV file. VirtualDubMod will create and use its own AVS script.

You may need to install an FLV Splitter like this one:

http://sourceforge.net/project/showfiles.php?group_id=82303&package_id=183318

You might also need codecs depending on what was used in the FLV file.

[DarrellS]

I use VirtualDubMod and AVISynth (DirectShowSource) along with an FLV splitter.

It ain't workin'

The only way to do this is with a screen capture software like Snagit.

Nothing will convert a vp6 flv to any other format.

[SupaDupaGamer]

Oh my God! I'm trying to install AVISYNTH, and it keeps telling me it can't write to the system32 folder, I tried to give it write permission, but nada. I'm throwing my computer out the ******* window in two seconds...

[jagabo]

Oh my God! I'm trying to install AVISYNTH, and it keeps telling me it can't write to the system32 folder, I tried to give it write permission, but nada. I'm throwing my computer out the ******* window in two seconds...

Do you have administrator priveleges?

[jagabo]

Nothing will convert a vp6 flv to any other format.

Even if you have a VP6 codec installed? Is it a DRM issue?

[celtic_druid]

You don't need VP6 installed. Gabest's splitter includes a decoder. Converting works fine here. Should also be possible to remux to avi using ffmpeg or mencoder.

[DarrellS]

Here is the avi file.

http://media.putfile.com/Transformers-56

After you play it, look in your temporary internet files and save it to your desktop.
It will be called 18022050570[1].avi

You used to be able to just right click and save target as but it looks like they changed the site to not allow right click.

It was screen captured with Snagit as uncompressed and saved as XviD. Like I said, to my knowledge, there is no way to convert these types of FLV files to avi. I've been searching for months and have found no way to do it.

[jagabo]

Here is the avi file.

http://media.putfile.com/Transformers-56

After you play it, look in your temporary internet files and save it to your desktop.
It will be called 18022050570[1].avi

You used to be able to just right click and save target as but it looks like they changed the site to not allow right click.

Direct link to the AVI file:

http://uploadfile.putfile.com/videos/18022050570.avi

[DarrellS]

Thanks Jagabo. How did you get the link?

Oh, you used url snooper.

[jagabo]

Thanks Jagabo. How did you get the link?

Oh, you used url snooper. :D

No, after following your link I used View -> Source (IE) and saw the link there.

[DarrellS]

Wonder why it would let you right click but it wouldn't let me.

Nevermind. You said you used view. I never knew that option was there. You learn something every day.

[mhorse]

I got the solution at https://www.videohelp.com/forum/archive/t259578.html

the software is released by moyea software.

[setedivento]

i think it's best the free way--no need for sharewares like moyea's one:after all it does not convert .flv files so properly,because it alters the video resolution and bitrate and creates besides a sort of white background at its back.
now,i've tried all the freeware solutions listed above,virtualdub and avisynth,riva flv encoder,super etc.,but at the very end i've caught me asking to myself:
well,why making things so difficult?
always the free way,i've done it by installing the last full version of k-lite codec pack(which includes not only the vp6,but also the vp7 codec:you can get it through a quick search with google),then extracting both audio and video streams from the .flv file with this tool:
flv extract.
[find it here:http://www.moitah.net/#FLVExtract]
then muxing audio and video together with a program that would have used the direct show codecs installed by the k-lite pack.But windows movie maker,especially if you just have simple cut purposes,is enough.so just a codec pack,a little tool and windows movie maker.

ps:the little tool requires .net framework 2.0! ;-p
bye!

[Ai Haibara]

If that's the case, why not just go to On2's site (http://www.on2.com/) for the VP7 and VP6 packages, rather than risk installing a codec pack?

[setedivento]

which in fact i've done with no result.the video stream extracted by flv extract couldn't be read by on2's official codecs.quite disappontingly,i must say.
anyway you're right,a codec pack is potentially dangerous,but this one seems to be a serious one because:
1 on my system (xp sp2) has not caused any damage at all,and i have been using it for ages
2 you can select which codecs to install or,if harmful,disable,so you can virtually leave just the vp6 codec on

then i've thought that was the best way.

{for the record,i have tried converting .flv files also by importing them as incorporated videos in flash 8 and re-exporting them in avi format,but this method has 2 inconveniences:
1 if you have large files,you must first use a flv splitter,but i have found no valid one and that's why i aborted this strategy
2 the sound is lost,so you must use flv extract the same}

pslease excuse my bad english...bye!

[celtic_druid]

I would assume that codec packs just bundle On2's own decoders. The only alternate VP62 decoder is libvp62 and On2 claim that that is using stolen code.

Didn't On2 remove the VP62 personal edition from their site though?

[setedivento]

i'm not an expert,so i guess you're right when saying codec packs just bundle on2's own decoders...stills remains the fact i've not found any useful nor working free stuff on their site(i've tried two codecs with no goal reached).but maybe i'm simply mistaken,and some of you guys can post a neat link to the official but working avi codec.
in short,just hope the way i've shown can help,but i have no idea of stolen code or whatsoever.i don't know about vp62 personal edition too(i've forgotten and i'm too lazy to begin a research now).
greetings again

[setedivento]

last thing to say,to set my conscience at rest:
if you install that codec pack,make a restore point first.codec packs often replace windows' drivers and if you want to come back(e.g. you need that stuff only for the conversion process but you want then to get rid of it),you'll have to do complex operations or install windows again.
if you don't know what you're doing,unselect all the options during setup and just leave the vp6 and vp7 on.
that's all folks

farewell