Image Transition - flash or javascript

[csk123]

Hello,

I have a jsp page where in there are 3 images which are rotating with a delay of 5 secs. This is done using a java script and calling setInterval("swapImages()", 5000).
Now I need to do a fading effect on the images when they actually change. I tried using the CSS filter "blendTrans(duration=2)" and then calling filter.apply() and filter.play() when the image src is changed.
This works fine, but the point is this works only on IE. I need something similar to work on all browsers.
Can you suggest how this could be done?

Also an other question is can we use flash in such cases? Which is better - a javascript or a flash?
I am new to web development, and if you could advice me when to go for flash and when for a javascript?

Thanks in advance!