Convert SWF to MP4?

[robcat2075]

Does anyone know a way to convert this example SWF to a conventional MP4 video file?

 

There are several Hash Tech Talks in SWF format, which can no longer be played in browsers now that Flash is gone.

I've tried several converter sites but they all fail in some way.

One site I found will intelligibly play the SWF video but doesn't enable any scrubbing of a timeline.

We need some way to convert these to regular video.

[robcat2075]

Never mind!

I've found an official Adobe player that can put up the video with a timeline slider.

[Ganthofer]

Bump...

So, as I ease back into AM, there are a few "bumps" - like all the old .swf files I am finding while searching through my old hard drives and the AM Extra's I had collected back in the day.

New PC, Windows 11, don't want to install all sorts of old software (that might be questionable. VLC fails, as does irfanview, because it required that Adobe flash Player already be installed. Of course, that hasn't been around for a while now and is not available from Adobe.

I tried a couple of Online converters, similar results you mention above.

Any recommendations?

[robcat2075]

Hi Glenn,

I have used SWF File Player to display a SWF and then I captured that with screen capture software to make a video of it.

I have done that to convert old TechTalks to MP4

[Ganthofer]

No go, it also requires that you have (or have had) flashplayer installed.

[robcat2075]

Hmmm. I wonder how i have it then, since I haven't installed Flash.

Does your dir look like this?

[robcat2075]

Well, nevermind, my player doesn't work anymore either. It may be hopeless

[Rodney]

I've had problems converting .swf file and have to remind myself what approach to use... particularly with the .swf files created by Hash Inc with Camtasia which uses the proprietary Techsmith video codec.

THIS program will allow viewing of those .swf videos:

https://ruffle.rs/#downloads

 

That's a start.

If worse comes to worse that program (or similar) could be used to play the .swf files while recording them and saving into a different format.

BUT...

There's surely another solution.

 

Aside:  When I use converters such as FFMPEG the result is cropped imagery that likely is the result of Techsmith's codec which only records changes (cursor locations etc.)

 

Also:  FFPLAY (the player that comes with FFMPEG) will play .swf videos such as the TechTalks and the audio is fine.  It's the cropped elements of the screen that are problematic.  They play but... the visuals are chaotic (see above).

 

Added:  A screenshot from the playback of the Composite TechTalk:

[Rodney]

Ruffle has a demo site that .swf file can be loaded into:

https://ruffle.rs/demo/

 

[robcat2075]

1 hour ago, Rodney said:

Ruffle has a demo site that .swf file can be loaded into:

https://ruffle.rs/demo/

 

Hey, that seems to work well.

I put one of my old all-vector (no video) SWFs  into it and it played back just right

present.swf

[Ganthofer]

@Rodney - great find - I'm trying out the Edge extension. so far, it's promising. Thanks.