Can flash (.swf) be streamed ?

Does the swf contain an imported video or audio file that plays on the timeline ? I'm guessing it does.

If it's a video file, you can't stream a video file that's embedded in a swf. In order to be able to stream the video you must have the video file *external* to the swf, and use a video player inside your swf that will play the file for you.

If it's an audio file on the timeline you *can* stream it. Click the frame in the timeline where the audio starts playing and look at the properties panel - make sure that 'synch' option is set to 'stream'.

In case you need to ask more on this, please say what version of actionscript (if any) you use in the swf.

I have not embedded any video files. Its a presentation kind of material, in which audio is snyc'ed.
I didnt use adobe tools to create the swf file. I used a tool  called as flash demo builder. Its very easy and similar to power point.  I dont know much about flash, so went with the easiest tool available.

I am not using any action script.  Can that be streamed ? Does it depend on the tool using which we create the swf file.. shouldnt this be a feature of the swf file format ? Please advice. Thanks

It might depend on the tool - are you able to upload the swf ? I may be able to unpack it in Flash and see how it ticks and whether anything can be done.

I will try to upload a sample swf. Meanwhile, i was reading through the help pages of the tool, and it said this

You can publish your project (movie) as

· Flash and HTML File
Streaming Flash SWF and HTML file.

It supported various other format  too. I have written a mail to the help desk asking how can this swf file be streamed.

Till they get back,
Does this mean that, swf file is stream-able ? Is it some new version of swf format which can be streamed ? If yes, should we do something in the hosting page to deliver it to the client in a stream format ?

I am very new to web development, so i am not sure if i am asking the right thing.

Thanks

What i mean by streaming is that it should start playing as soon as possible, without waiting for the whole file. I dont mind if the user can't scroll through time bar. All i want is to avoid the initial wait and make is as less as possible.

CyanBlue - thanks for the correction. I was playing fast and loose with the definition of streaming. You are correct that it uses progressive download and not true streaming.

shajithchandran - Because I don't know how the software tool you use prepares / packages the swf, I can't really suggest anything else than try and post the swf. If there is a reason why you don't want to post the swf here then let me know and I'll see if there's another way we can do it.

I created a dummy swf file. I am uploading it here. I hope this will be good enough for you to debug.

Thanks a lot for your effort.

The support people have come back with some options, i am trying it, but doesnt seem to resolve the issue. Will try again.

By the way, this is the tool that i am using.
http://www.flashdemobuilder.com/download/FlashDemoBuilder300.exe
testing.swf

Thanks for you help.

i am bit confused here ... if the file format is different, how is the flash player able to play it ? Is this a common practice to prevent flash file decoding ? Or is there some layer between the flash file and the flash player which does the translations?

Thanks.

The destination file - the swf - is created to work in the Flash player, but the source file - the bit that you can edit to change the content - is radically different.

Yup...  There are many ways to create the SWF file since its file format is open but the source is just too different and probably closed in this case...  

CyanBlue