Create Flash 8 FLV or SWF video using the On2 TrueMotion VP6 video codec with On2's line of software (Flix Pro, Flix Standard, Flix Exporter, Flix Pro Power Players). The VP6 codec from On2 provides superior video quality at a much smaller file size and is what makes video in Flash 8 so powerful.

With Flix Exporter 8.0, you'll have access to 2-pass On2 TrueMotion VP6 Flash 8 video encoding. You can also export your video to FLVs for Flash player 6 and up, and to SWFs for Flash 3 and up! (Flash 4 required to play MP3 audio track).

Flix Pro 8.0 for Windows and Mac offer the same features as Flix Exporter 8.0 and much more, including Flash 8 Alpha Channel SWF video output, video editing capabilities, and projector exports for Windows and Mac. The Windows version also allows you to export Linux projectors and Windows screensavers.

Flix encodes the following formats:

• Video: .avi, .dv, .mov/.qt, .mpeg, .mp4, .3gp, (Windows only: .asf/.wmv)
• Audio: .mp3, .wav, and for PC only: wma., (Mac only: .aiff)
• Still Image: .jpg, .gif, .png, .bmp, .psd, .tif, .pic, .tga

For more information on the products, including tutorials, check out On2's website.

If you're 18 or older and a US resident, be sure to check out the Scion Flash 8 design contest. Scion is looking for original interactive computer compositions featuring Scion "assets" using Flash 8. The "assets" will be provided to you after registering for the contest. Entries must not exceed 2 minutes in length or 10MB in size. Other than those requirements, you have free range in what you can create.

Grand prize is a brand-new 2006 Scion (winner picks the model, transmission, and color). First place is a copy of Studio 8, and the other 8 runners up receive a Scion gift pack.

Also included at the contest website are Flash 8 demos from Guy Watson, Andy Hall, DNA Studio, and Grant Skinner (Guy, Andy, and Grant are part of the judging panel as well).

You can download a free 30-day trial of Flash 8 from Macromedia, which should give you enough time to learn the new features and create your entry.

Contest ends 11/07/2005 11:59 PM, Eastern Daylight Time, so get designing!

FYI, if you've never heard of Scion, think Toyota but geared towards a younger demographic.