RichFLV

Online videos are usually kept in specialized formats for better compression and integration with the specific web requirements. Downloading might be under that peculiar format, which might require a special playback tool. For FLV in particular, RichFLV comes with a decent amount of features to view and edit FLV files.

The application runs smooth, even on modern iterations of windows. It gets quickly deployed, with the intuitive design making you feel at home in no time. However, before you get to see what it can do, you need to make sure Adobe AIR is installed on your system, both to be able to deploy and run.

The interface resembles a common video editor, with most of the space being used for preview, a side properties panel for metadata, and cue points, as well as a progress slider, with the possibility to trim on the spot. All elements are held together by polished elements that make visuals quite appealing.

Needless to say that the main target here are FLV files. It doesn’t mean that support is limited to this format, but other types are rather ambiguous and questionable. For instance, there are several export options that let you save snapshots of different formats, extract audio, convert into SWF, but no option for other video formats.

Simple editing can be done from the side panel. Stored in different tabs, a few areas let you add custom metadata entries, manage existing cue points or create new ones, and jump to specific important keyframes. Moreover, you can import an audio layer and replace the original, or make the new one play as soundtrack.

Unfortunately, the amount of operations you can perform is rather poor, with the lack of a built-in playlist to at least counter on the playback part. There aren’t any color management options, not to mention special effects or other visual layers.

To end with, RichFLV isn’t necessarily anything now on the block, coming with support for a poor amount of videos, both for import and export. Editing leaves a lot to be desired, covering a few technical details, and little to no visual effects.You can only play a file at a time, which also has a considerable impact on overall practicality, and many are tempted to look for alternatives.