Launch the video converter ultimate after the installation. Go to the Converter menu and click the Add Files option to import the MOV files that QuickTime won’t open or play. Click the Format icon on the first title to trigger the dialog. Go to the Video tab, choose MOV, and select a proper preset. QuickTime doesn’t support to play AVI files. If you want to play your video using QuickTime, there are two solutions: 1. Convert AVI to other formats that compatible with QuickTime player, like MOV, MP4, M4V. Multimedia Glossary - 2 1 3 4. 3GP, ASF, AVI, MPEG, QuickTime, MOV, RM, WMV, DivX, XviD. 3GP is the MPEG-4 based video format used mostly in mobile terminals, such as mobile phones. This file format is designed for 3rd generation mobile devices. 3GPP is defined by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project and 3GPP is defined by 3rd.
My QuickTime player is not playing .avi files and says I need a codec. I am not able to play any .avi files on QuickTime. How could I fix this because I want to play these files with QuickTime?
Playing AVI files is one of the biggest worries for a Mac user. None of the four major Indeo codecs that are required to decode AVI files have been integrated into QuickTime. In some cases, even if the required codecs are available, the AVI video file does not play due to corruption. So, before we get to know how to play AVI files on Mac or how to fix AVI files that are not playing on Mac, let’s get a quick look at Audio Video Interleave (AVI) format.
Image Source: support.apple.com
Why AVI Files don’t Play on Mac?
Just like any other media player, QuickTime on Mac also examines both the audio and video codecs within the video file whenever you open any file on Mac. If the codecs are not used by the media player it won’t play the video. QuickTime media player does not recognize the Cinepak and ALaw 2:1 codecs used in the AVI video file format. And as a result, when you try to play AVI files in QuickTime, the player doesn’t play the video.
What is an AVI file?
The full form of AVI is Audio Video Interleave. Like any video file format, AVI is a container format that defines how video data is packed into a file. Unlike other video formats, it does not predefine or specify the protocol or procedure involved while recording or creating a file. As an AVI file structure has the organizational format of streams and stream data, it is defined by two lists namely List Chunk and Index Chunk.
List Chunk: The list chunk has metadata, the size of the file, frame rates, and audio/video information.
Index Chunk: The index chunk is responsible for saving the locations of data within the container.
Note: If any of these crucial chunks are missing in your AVI video file, then your AVI file will not play.
What is a Codec?
A codec that is short for compressor and decompressor is responsible for decoding the video and audio tracks that have been encoded or packed in the .avi file.
It is to be noted that an AVI file or any video file does not come with codecs. Codecs are a part of the video player package like QuickTime.
However, if the codec used to encode the AVI file is not available in the QuickTime player, then your AVI file will not play. Thus, you can expand the codec library of the player by downloading the specific codec required to play the AVI video file.
Problems Associated With Running AVI on Mac Using QuickTime
When an AVI file is opened using QuickTime player, it scans the file to see which codecs have been used to encode the data in the container/AVI file.
The AVI format video will play as expected if the video and audio in the codec are compressed using a codec that exists in the QuickTime package. Nevertheless, problems arise while playing AVI files on Mac when the codec does not exist in the library and leads to an unplayable AVI file on Mac. The file may also refuse to play if the AVI file is corrupt. Fix corrupt AVI files on Mac before trying any workaround.
Unplayable AVI Files Return The Following Errors:
- “QuickTime is missing the software needed to perform this operation. Unfortunately, it is not available on the QuickTime server”
- 'You may experience problems playing a video track in 'file.avi' because the required compressor could not be found”
Additionally, the latest version QuickTime X does not have a few major codecs like Indeo or native DivX support and you might end up with the question “How to play unplayable AVI file on Mac?”.
Now that you have understood the complications associated with AVI files that are unplayable on Mac, the following workarounds mentioned below have been provided to help you fix if Mac or MacBook not playing a video.
Methods to Fix Unplayable AVI files on Mac
1. Find the Right Codec to Play the AVI File on QuickTime:
Find the codec used to encode the file using QuickTime by opening the file using QuickTime and select the Show Movie Info option from the Window menu.
The video file information is listed, and you will be able to find codec information after format properties. Check if the QuickTime version supports the codec that is listed in the video properties.
Check on the QuickTime support site if the codec is supported by the player if you don’t find the codec preinstalled with QuickTime. If you don’t find the respective codec or if it is an unsupportive codec, then your AVI video won’t play. In case it is supported then you can go ahead and install the codec after downloading it from the author or the publisher’s site.
Note: Download the codec from genuine and trusted sources to avoid compromising your system security.
2. Download and Install Standardized Video Encoders
There are two major industry-standard codecs for Mac that can extend the playback capabilities. The following codecs have been referred to as the most preferred codecs that enable you to open .avi files on Mac:
- Install 3ivx D4 codec:
This codec enables greater video quality at lower file size values up to fifty percent when compared to the MPEG-4 standard designed by Apple. This decoder increases the efficiency of the video storage and transmission of files that are rendered too large. It is an integration of a huge set of video and audio codecs that allow playback of almost all the AVI files with AAC audio and video of MPEG-4. You can fix your unplayable AVI file by installing 3ivx D4 on your Mac. Further, there is no need to download any other components like plug-ins to play the AVI file unless a proprietary codec is used to encode the file.
- Install DivX for Mac free codec to fix AVI files in Quick time:
While you can play the majority of AVI files after you install this free codec for Mac, its major disadvantage is that the audio sometimes might be distorted or only the video is played. For this reason, the DivX codec for Mac is a secondary option when compared to 3ivx D4 codec.
Note: Only one among the above two codecs are to be used at once as they share the same set of library files to decode the video. Hence it is recommended to install only one codec to avoid malfunction of the QuickTime player.
3. Use an Alternate player to Play AVI files on Mac:
VLC or Video LAN Client is a cross-platform media player that supports a wide variety of AVI video and audio codecs. Therefore, choosing VLC as an alternative media player to play the unplayable AVI file on Quick Time is one of the easiest ways.
Because of its large library of free encoding and decoding libraries, you will no longer need any additional codec download or proprietary plug-ins.
4. Play AVI Files By Converting Into QuickTime Supported MOV Files:
Another workaround to fix the unplayable AVI video on Mac is to convert the AVI file into a QuickTime supported file format like MOV.
Post conversion, the file will be playable on Mac. However, most of the converters break the index of the AVI file while conversion, this method is least recommended. Lastly, if the converted video file stops playing halfway try AVI index repair on Mac.
Note: Have a copy of your AVI file before converting them to any other compatible format as your AVI file might get corrupt due to improper conversion and leads to permanent inaccessible AVI files.
AVI Still Not Playing In Mac?
If the AVI video file remains unplayable even after getting the correct codecs, using the compatible player, or converting to MOV, it is probably because the video file is corrupt. The only solution to this is to try an AVI video repair software. Choose a professional AVI video repair tool like Remo AVI Repair.
Remo Repair AVI fixes and works on a duplicate version of your original AVI file to prevent modification on the original file. The self-explanatory interface helps you to fix the video in just 3 clicks. Download the Remo Repair AVI tool now to fix your unplayable video and preview it for free before saving.
Remo Repair AVI Can Also:
- Repair AVI files that are corrupted
- Repair AVI files if their index is corrupted
- Repairs AVI files if there is no audio or playing only audio in the video file
Conclusion:
With the mentioned free workarounds or by using the above-mentioned AVI repair tool, you must have fixed your unplayable AVI videos on Mac. However, you can always make use of Remo Software’s technical assistance team as they will guide you with the repairing process of the software if needed.
When you exported an edited video in Adobe Premiere as MOV format, you might find the QuickTime Player can’t open MOV. The converting bar fills up nearly all the way with an error message. How to fix QuickTime won’t play MOV files?
QuickTime Player is the Apple media player distributed over Windows and Mac. It supports MOV, MPEG-4, MPEG-2, MPEG-1, 3GPP, 3GPP2, AVCHD, AVI, and DV video formats. But why QuickTime Player can’t open MOV? Just learn more about the reasons and troubleshooting from the article.
Part 1: 5 Solutions to Fix QuickTime Player Can’t Open MOV
Solution 1: Re-open QuickTime
Corrupting file system can lead to QuickTime won’t open MOV video files. However, you can fix this issue and enable the QuickTime player to work again by reopening the Media Player.
On Mac:
Open the Applications folder and open the Utilities folder, and then run the Activity Monitor app.
Find the QuickTime Player option under the Process Name column and select it. After that, click the Quit Process button, which is located at the top left of the window.
When prompted, click the Quit option again to confirm it. Next, you can restart Mac and check if the QuickTime player opens MOV videos.
On Windows:
Go to the Start menu at the bottom left corner, find and open the Task Manager on Windows 10.
Click the More details option on the popup dialog to display all processes. Highlight the QuickTime Player and click the End task button to quit the video player.
Restart your PC and open a MOV in QuickTime once again. This time it should work as usual.
Solution 2: Update QuickTime
If you were using an outdated player and QuickTime won’t play MOV, it is time to update the program. Just keep in mind that Apple has stopped support QuickTime for PC. For Mac users, follow the steps below to update your player.
Open your QuickTime Player and go to the Help menu on the top menu bar of the program.
Select the Update Existing Software option and follow the instructions to install the latest version on your computer.
After that, you can restart your computer and launch the media player to fix QuickTime Player can’t open MOV files.
Open Avi With Quicktime
Solution 3: Up macOS to Date
The Outdated software is another factor that makes QuickTime Player not playing MOV or other video files. It is simple to fix the problem. You can just update your macOS to the latest version.
Go to the Apple menu, choose the System Preferences option, and then click the Software Update to check for updates.
If there is an update available, click the Update Now button to install it. When prompted, enter your administrator password.
When it is done, your computer will power off and turn back on again. Now, QuickTime can open MOV normally.
Solution 4: Use Another MOV Player
When MOV is not playing on QuickTime Player, you might be asked to use another MOV player on Windows and Mac. VLC, for example, is a versatile media player that is available on both Windows and Mac OS X. Moreover, it integrates a wide range of codecs. The open-source media player lets you enjoy any video file easily.
Solution 5: Check Video Extension
QuickTime won’t play MOV if your file extension is not correct. MOV is not only the video container, but also the file extension of QuickTime movies. Sometimes, you may leave a wrong file extension or delete the dot by mistake. Then QuickTime cannot decode the video file. Hence you’d better check the file extension and make sure it is correct.
Part 2: The Ultimate Ways to Fix QuickTime Won’t Play MOV
Method 1: Convert MOV for QuickTime on Desktop
Can Quicktime Open Avi Files
When QuickTime Player cannot open MOV, chances are that the media player cannot decode the codecs, you can convert MOV to compatible formats with Video Converter Ultimate. It also enables you to tweak the video/audio codec, trim the desired part, and compress the video file.
- * Convert the MOV with the desired video/audio codec for QuickTime.
- * Provide the in-built MPEG4 video codec to play MOV files directly.
- * Edit the MOV file, such as cut, merge, add watermark, and more.
- * Enhance the video quality with resolution upscale, remove noise, etc.
How to Convert MOV for QuickTime Player
Launch the video converter ultimate after the installation. Go to the Converter menu and click the Add Files option to import the MOV files that QuickTime won’t open or play.
Click the Format icon on the first title to trigger the dialog. Go to the Video tab, choose MOV, and select a proper preset. Click the Gear icon and change the codec and other options based on QuickTime.
After that, you can set the output destination at the bottom left side. Click the Convert All button to initiate the MOV conversion. It might take a few minutes before playing MOV in QuickTime.
Method 2: How to Convert MOV for QuickTime Online
Free Online Video Converter is another way to convert MOV files for playing in QuickTime. It enables you to convert 1080P MOV without size limitations. Moreover, you can also tweak the video/audio codec, bitrate, frame rate, channel, and sample rate to convert MOV to QuickTime compatible video formats within clicks.
Open Avi With Quicktime Pro
Go to the online video converter with your browser. Click the Launch Free Converter button to import the MOV files to the online converter that can’t play with QuickTime Player.
Once you have uploaded the MOV files, you can select MP4 or MOV as the output format. Click the Gear icon to tweak the video codec as MPEG-4 for the QuickTime Player.
Press the Convert button to start converting MOV files to QuickTime compatible format. After that, you can download the converted files and import them to QuickTime Player again.
Part 3: FAQs about QuickTime Not Playing MOV
1. Is It Possible to Repair MOV Files for QuickTime Player?
Yes. You can copy the original MOV that can’t play on QuickTime Player and change the extension of the copied MOV as AVI. Launch the VLC player and click the Preferences menu, and select the Input or Codecs. Select Always Fix next to corrupted MOV file.
2. How to Check Whether the MOV Files are Damaged?
You can simply add the MOV file to another video player, such as the online video player or VLC Media Player. It still does not work, the file might be damaged or virus affected. To fix MOV files won’t play on QuickTime Player; you should use the anti-virus program or have another download.
Can Quicktime Open Avi
3. Why MOV File Plays Audio But No Video in QuickTime?
If you have already used the above methods to fix the MOV can’t play on QuickTime Player, but the problem still exists. You should pay attention that the improper way of transferring MOV files might damage the movie. Just have another download to find whether it works.
Conclusion
What can you do when QuickTime can’t play MOV? The article shares 5 solutions to fix this problem. Moreover, you can try video converter ultimate to re-encode your video files. If you have any query about this, you can share more details in the comment.
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