views:

1520

answers:

5

This question is pretty straight forward, I literally just want to stream video of a user's computer. Just like recording from a webcam, but with the source coming from the desktop (think "screencasting tool".) I specifically want to do this in pure Flash, no downloads or add-ons.

This would be an easy question for Google, but it is confused by all of the standalone screencasting tools that "export to Flash", making it impossible to find anything useful.

Thanks in advance!

+3  A: 

I sure hope it's not possible. This would be a huge security flaw. Imagine visting a rogue web site with a tiny (unnoticeable) swf that streams video of your desktop back to the rogue site.

jdigital
It would still have to ask for permission, obviously, in the exact same way as Flash currently asks for permission to record from your webcam/microphone.
lorennorman
A: 

You cannot as the comment above said. Security reasons apart, Flash could not record what's outside the Flash player, let alone the browser.

Don't think it's possible at all.

Zárate
A: 

I agree with what jdigital said but have noticed on some websites that a popup appears from flash asking if it can have access to a webcam to stream that up, also You tube and the likes let you record from your webcam straight up to the web ( i haven't tried it but presume they use flash for that ), I'm guessing here but if you could substitue the video stream for a vid of the desktop then this should be possible in some way or another.

HTH

OneSHOT

OneSHOT
+5  A: 

This is not possible due to security restrictions. If you check out Adobe's "ConnectNow" product, you'll note that you have to install a special helper application called the "ConnectNow Add-In" in order to use their screen sharing feature. The Add-In is actually an executable file that has the elevated privileges necessary to share / record your screen.

If you're looking for ways to add this kind of functionality to a Flash application, your best bet is to use a signed Java applet with the java.awt.Robot class (which support screen capturing) or a native ActiveX / Browser plug-in. You can then integrate these with Flash using the ExternalInterface / Javascript bridge.

cliff.meyers
A: 

I think to record the computer to screen, you get to download some screen recorder that can export your screen recording as Flash. DemoCreator is a nice tool to make Flash screencast, and it is with powerful editing features. The free version of Jing Project only produces the SWF file, but that is what you want.