When developing a streaming video file, an important step is naming the file. Using an appropriate file name will help organize and manage the file on the video capture station and on the streaming video server.

There are three (3) part in naming a file:

1. File Description
2. Episode Number
3. File Extension

File Description

The first part of the file name, the File Description, should be based on the title or topic of the video program.  The file description should use the following requirements:

• Make a file name intuitive.
• Use lowercase letters for a file name when possible. If necessary, use Title Caps when words run together
• Do not use blank spaces, underscores, or hyphens.
• Do not use special characters such as *, ', !, #, $, &, <, >.
• Do not exceed sixteen (16) characters.

Note: The 16 character limit is for the file description portion of the filename.

Flash Video Example: FileDescription.flv

Episode Number

In a video series, use the same file description for each file and identify each file with the episode number. The number should use a two (2) digit identifier such as 01, 02, 03, 04, and so on.

Flash Video Example: FileDescription01.flv, FileDescription02.flv

File Extension

When creating a streaming video file, it is required to use the appropriate file extension.  The appropriate file extension to use when developing the streaming flash video file is .flv.