Tips on encoding videos for Android using Adobe Media Encoder

As a Flash Professional user, you probably have Adobe Media Encoder installed on your computer. This is a great tool to encode videos not only for Flash video player but also for other H.264-enabled devices like iPhone and Android. However, when I tried to encode a video using a random H.264 preset, my phone (a Milestone 2) could not play the video. This means that not every export settings is compatible with the phone’s internal video encoder.

So which preset should we choose for the export settings?

Project Snow Fight

Another internal case-study project of Pyco Flash team to research multiplayer game with Red5. This is a 2D top-view real-time shooting game whose gameplay is similar to CS2D – you control your character moving round with WASD keys and aim and shoot with your mouse. The game showcases real-time synchronization among clients in a precision and fast-pace environment. The team have learnt a lot from the book ActionScript for Multiplayer Games and Virtual Worlds and apply what we learnt successfully to this game.
I designed and proposed the game concept and detailed requirements. I also joint to develop the character control and foundation of client-server synchronization.
My roles: system designer, technical supporter
Tech notes:

• Pyco Flash Framework – based on PureMVC
• Red5
• TweenMax
• Realtime multiplayer synchronization

Click here to try the game. (Because this is a multi-player game, make sure you invite your friends to join).
 

Flash Camp Hanoi 2010

The young and energetic people

It was great honor for me to be invited to the first Flash conference in Viet Nam, Flash Camp Hanoi 2010. The event is a proving fact that Flash/Flex users community in Viet Nam has grown up and stronger than ever. All details and stories can be found at the official website: flashcamphanoi.com.vn 

(Update: the server is temporarily down, please access the overview article on groups.adobe.com or view the event photos on FCH Facebook page)

Me on stage

I brought to the event the presentation about FLARToolKit and augmented reality in Flash. The slide deck (with links to online demos) has been uploaded by the organizer on slideshare.net.

Presentation: Introduction to TDD & FlexUnit

This is a summary of what I studied and practiced with TDD & FlexUnit. This presentation is not for persuading developers applying unit testing but it will highlight benefits & vulnerabilities of TDD objectively.

[Vietnamese tag: Bài thuyết trình về FlexUnit và mô hình phát triển phần mềm dựa trên kiểm thử / kiểm tra]

Using Flash Builder 4 on Ubuntu

So, Adobe has discontinued its Linux version of Flex Builder. That’s sad news for us. Anyway, it doesn’t change much since Linux users already have alternatives long before, e.g. FDT, IDEA. Besides, I have been able to run Flash Builder 4 on my Ubuntu (via Wine) for a while to take advantage of its mxml coding hinting and the unique design view. Let me share some of my experiences of using Flash Builer on Ubuntu so far.