private function playVideo():void {
  //create connection
  var nconn:NetConnection = new NetConnection();
  nconn.connect(null);
  //create netStream object
  var nStream:NetStream = new NetStream(nconn);

  // add onMetaData listener else u get error
  var client:Object = new Object();
  client.onMetaData = function(metadata:Object):void {
    trace(metadata.duration);
  }
  nStream.client = client;
  //add video component to display video
  var myVid:Video = new Video();
  myVid.attachNetStream(nStream);
  stage.addChild(myVid);
  //select file to play
  var myFile:File = new File("/tmp/myVideo.flv");
  ns.play(myFile.url);
}