Ask an FMS Guru #11: How do you use FMS2.0 to detect which version of Flash and then what FLV file to play depending on users connection?

Here's a good one that I've actually answered quite well in one of my presentations that are online.

The question: How do you use FMS2.0 to detect which version of Flash and then what FLV file to play depending on users connection
speed?

The answer:

To start off, there are 2 things that need to be done about this, first you need to figure out the bandwidth of the user. You can find out how to do that from this article on Adobe's site from Stefan Richter of Flashcomguru.

Next up is the key to getting the right FLV to a user with minimal setup and future maintenance. Use virtual keys. Rather than explain it in detail again in this post, here is a link to the presentation and you can follow the links to the presentation files that have an example on how to use virtual keys with FMS2.

I will quickly note though what you will be looking for in the preso and the files. You need to do the following:

1. Set the virtual stream directories and keys for each type of user you think you'll have. This is done in the XML setup files for FMS2.

2. Figure out the bandwidth of the client, once you know that you set the virtual key for the client

3. Then just play the FLV file and FMS2 will figure on which FLV file it should play based on the virtual key of the user.

Also now with FMS2, you can detect the users flash version and automatically set the users virtual key, but in this case we need to also check bandwidth. This means we have to manually set the key. But keep in mind it is possible to have FMS do everything for you if all you are trying to do is test the flash player version.

It's that easy thanks to the new functionality in FMS2. I hope that helps.

Posted by Graeme at July 7, 2006 02:59 PM