Two Flash associations

[Sam_Zen]

In Properties / Extensions there's the line to choose 'Macromedia Flash format' as SWF/FLV.
I think these two formats should be separated to enable each format as association.

Sometimes IV handles a .swf file well, while a .flv file shows an error dialog about wrong version.
Quite logical it seems, because these two formats are basically very different as construction.

This split can also make sense, because other mediaplayers can claim to be the default player
of each of these formats seperately. So improvement to avoid conflicting rights..

[Skippybox]

Although I believe the two formats to be vastly different, yet very related (both encode audio/video the same), I agree they should be kept separate when it comes to associations. In fact, IrfanView makes it easy to do just that. Instead of checking the combo SWF/FLV line, check Other, and type the one you really want.

If IrfanView ever plays F4V which is quite different than FLV, it should get its own line as well.

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BTW, are you really still using SP1 on XP in your profile, Sam_Zen?

[Sam_Zen]

Thanks for the tip. Should have known that.

I dunno F4V, is this something like MP4 ?
As far as video is concerned, I think it's maybe better to be compatible with the coming Theora format

..are you really still using SP1 on XP.. ?

Good question. Just checked my sysinfo. Yep, still SP1, and I have no plans to go any further.
Some years ago I was running NT4, which was a very unstable OS. It took me months to get it tuned.
The service packs came up to SP6 and every time I had to do the tuning and tweaking again..
Besides this, I have a mix of precaution and paranoia, so I don't allow M$ to have access to my set.

That's why I also ignore any new safety patches. I prefer to maintain my own security.

[Skippybox]

Thanks for the tip. Should have known that.

While IrfanView does have a convenient association's configuration panel, you could also use the Folder Options>File Types editor in Windows. Oddly, this very important dialog has been removed in later Window versions. In a pinch, I suppose you could also use Open with>Choose program in the context menu to set an association.

I dunno F4V, is this something like MP4 ? As far as video is concerned, I think it's maybe better to be compatible with the coming Theora format

Kind of. It is based on MPEG-4 Part 12, whereas MP4 is MPEG-4 Part 14. What is the difference between Flash Video (FLV), F4V and H.264

Completely open-source is probably best, if Theora truly proves to be superior in all ways.

Yep, still SP1, and I have no plans to go any further. That's why I also ignore any new safety patches. I prefer to maintain my own security.

Just wondering, since many products/programs seem to have a minimum requirement of SP2. Surprisingly, some even now only support Vista and Seven. Not really a problem if you run less stringent software, though.

I remember how quick the Gold release of XP was until I started updating. The patches may be annoying, but I still would install them. Even the best security can't help against the holes in the OS.

[Sam_Zen]

Normally I use the association dialog of TC to set them, but that was difficult because of this conbination.
There, I also can choose a different IV icon for each graphic format.
The main icon is only used for BMP and TIF.
But thanks to your workaround I can associate SWF with IV and FLV with KMPlayer now.

Even the best security can't help against the holes in the OS.

I don't agree, but it's not an advice to others.
I don't even use a virusscanner for some years, and didn't had any trouble so far (knock, knock..)
The only holes in my OS are the ones permitted according to the very tight rules of my personal firewall.
But the best security starts with not being ignorant or stupid, when navigating the inet.

Check the articles by Marcus J.Ranum about security.
He wrote "About ignoring the patch-hype", but I can't find that article anymore there.