Blank screens while loading .swf videos

[kcrockett]

I have several .swf movies on a website I am designing. The smaller movies
load fairly quickly but the larger movies just pop up a white screen until the
movie loads and it can take up to 7 seconds. I would like something like a bar
or an animated "Loading..." to pop up until the movie loads. Anyone have any
ideas on the best way to go about this? Thanks!

[smopgirl]

I have the exact same question. I have a keynote presentation which I have
converted to an .swf file and want something to appear on the screen while it
is loading. It doesn't even need to be animated - even ome text would do.
Help please!!!

[xmcfuture1]

You need o create a preloader!

There are millions you can download on google...Search "flash preloader"

[kcrockett]

Hi, Thanks for the info on the preloader. Yup, I know all about optimization.
However, my client cut one of the videos as short as they could, but it's still
pretty long... hence the need for a preloader!!! :-)

[xmcfuture1]

for video you should do dynamic stream. Then there is no latency.. well barely

look at flash 8 help file on video use

[xmcfuture1]

Also with that you could have a 2 hr video it wouldn't matter because it would be streaming vs. downloading

you could also do progressive download.

Id chck the help file

[kcrockett]

Thanks for all the great suggestions. I don't have Flash however. Just SwishMax, which is a night mare, and SwishVideo (plus Dreamweaver of course).