how to get flv files to play on windows server 2003

recently i had to figure out why flv files wouldn’t play on one of our windows 2003 servers. i had a feeling the server wasn’t sure how to handle the mime type. sure enough i was correct. here is the fix…

Flash TechNote

Windows 2003 Server does not stream FLV videos

Issue

When Macromedia Flash Player movie files that stream external FLV files (Flash videos) are placed on a Microsoft Windows 2003 server and then viewed in a browser, the SWF file will play correctly, but the FLV video will not stream. These files will work correctly if tested on other operating systems. This effects all FLV files played via Windows 2003 server, including files made with the Macromedia Flash Video Kit for Dreamweaver MX 2004.

This TechNote describes the steps necessary to allow Windows 2003 to stream Flash Video files.

Note: These instructions are provided as a courtesy for customers, and are an issue in Microsoft Internet Information Services (IIS) 6.0 rather than Macromedia Flash.

Reason

With IIS 6.0, Microsoft changed the way streaming media is handled. Previous versions of IIS did not require any modification to stream Flash Video. Microsoft IIS 6.0, the default web server that ships with Windows 2003, requires a MIME type to recognize that FLV files are streamed media.

Solution

Please be aware that these steps do not resolve any issue with Macromedia Flash, but are a configuration step for Microsoft Windows 2003 and Microsoft IIS Server 6.0. Any difficulties in executing those instructions or any errors that may arise from modifying your system settings should be addressed to Microsoft. For more details, please refer to your IIS documentation.

1. On the Windows 2003 server, open the Internet Information Services Manager.

2. Expand the Local Computer Server.

3. Right-click the local computer server and select Properties.

4. Select the MIME Types tab.

5. Click the New… button and enter the following information:
Associated Extension box: .FLV
MIME Type box: flv-application/octet-stream

6. Click Ok.

7. Restart the World Wide Web Publishing service. (iisreset)

Matt

Matt is a Systems Development Director for a multinational franchise. Matt has lived and worked in Hawaii, Chicago, South Florida and currently resides outside of Atlanta. He enjoys his hobbies including Technology, Gadgets/EDC, Fountain Pens, Wetshaving, Clocks, Antiques & Coffee. He even roasts his own coffee weekly.