Exporting Flash the first time and having trouble understanding the format.

Hi folks, hope this isn't too dumb a question but here goes.

I am doing a project making a lot of short clips for the web, several hundred.
Client has asked for .flv format delivery. It didn't seem to be a big problem to make them although it's the first time for me. I also have the Adobe CS3 Design Collection on my edit system.

I exported them out of FCP using Quicktime conversion and they seemed to process fine.

My questions began when trying to play them back.

They won't play back in Quicktime player.
They won't play back in Flash Player (newest version)
They WILL playback in Flash CS3.
They play in Adobe Bridge.
They play in VLC player fine.

From what info I could gather, I am guessing .flv is more of an interim medial format that you would then use in the main Flash program to combine with other elements and output an .swf format. For instance, you open a .flv file in Flash CS3 and add skins and interactive elements like a play controller. Then you output .swf.

Just trying to understand these formats, what plays where, and what is used for what.

Thanks for any information you might have.

yep, you are on the right track. an flv is not a standalone playable format. you have to build them into a flash page and export into a swf

Wayne, thanks very much.

I was sweatin' having the client call back and say I did something wrong and they won't play but it looks like it worked just the way it was supposed to.

Thanks again!

There are stand alone FLV players out there tho, i think i use WimplyFLV, just google for it.