Iphoto won't play movies

A while back I tried housing my iphoto library on an external drive, but it kept giving me issues when the drive went to sleep and the computer tended to freeze up. So, I finally moved it all back to my local hard drive. But when I did so, I seem to have lost the ability to see all the movie files that we had imported into iphoto from my camera. The movies are still there (when I go into the deeper folders) but they don't seem to play from within Iphoto. Instead I see a black and white exclamation mark inside of a triangle caution sign when I double click on the thumnail and the movie doesn't play. I know it is a movie b/c when I ask for more info, I see its properties.
I have tried rebuilding the library, (which I'm sad to see threw off the orientation of my of my photos) but that didn't seem to help. A further complication is that this also seems to be applying to my RAW photos, except that with those, the caution sign appears (even in the thumbnails) but if I wait for a second, it actually loads to RAW image.
Any thoughts of how to have Iphoto re-recognize the movies as movies in particular?
Thanks,
Robin

The ! turns up when iPhoto loses the connection between the thumbnail in the iPhoto Window and the file it represents.
Option 1
Back Up and try rebuild the library: hold down the command and option (or alt) keys while launching iPhoto. Use the resulting dialogue to rebuild. Choose to Rebuild iPhoto Library Database from automatic backup.
If that fails:
Option 2
Download iPhoto Library Manager and use its rebuild function. This will create a new library based on data in the albumdata.xml file. Not everything will be brought over - no slideshows, books or calendars, for instance - but it should get all your albums and keywords back.
Because this process creates an entirely new library and leaves your old one untouched, it is non-destructive, and if you're not happy with the results you can simply return to your old one. .
Regards
TD

Similar Messages

IPhoto won't import .mov video from iPhone

I just got my wife a new Mac mini. It is running the latest versions of Mountain Lion and iPhoto.
She's recorded some short videos of the kids with her iPhone (4s), and wants to organize these in iPhoto alongside pictures of the kids (she's done this before).
However, since getting her new computer, when she tried to import the videos, she got an error message that said the files were an unrecognized format.
We were able to retrieve the videos and copy them to her hard drive using Image Capture; however, she would still like to import them to iPhoto.
Any help is appreciated.
Thanks.
-tri

There are many, many posts of this nature in these forums. See, for example:
iphoto won’t import mov video
For many, rebuilding the XPC helper cache solves the problem off the bat. In terminal try this, and reboot:
sudo /usr/libexec/xpchelper --rebuild-cache
The above posted by Andy Ball on a thread related to a similar problem with Aperture:
Re: Import video to Aperture library on Mountain Lion
Other things to try:
1. create a fresh iPhoto library and try that. (hold down opt while launching iPhoto)
2. create a new OS X user (in system preferences) and try there.
In my case – and many cases – neither of those things work either, which means the problem is system wide. Again suggesting that the xpc helper solution might work. But for me it did not either.
There are other suggestions that there are conflicts with Perian (on Yosemite) and flip4mac. In my case uninstalling both of those didn't solve it either.
So maybe one of those solutions will work for you, results apparently vary. But this is a huge unresolved issue many others are having as well. I have a case with a senior apple advisor open, still unresolved. His suggestion of course, at this point, is an archive and re-install. I'm not ready to go there yet.
BTW, another thing he had me try was to import the file with Image Capture (which works). Then open it in QuickTime Player X. Then try exporting to 480p. Does QuickTime crash? It does for me.
My summary:
1. Files successfully import with Image Player.
2. Files play with QuickTime Player X.
3. QuickTime Player X crashes when exporting to 480p.
4. Files import with iMove.
5. Files fail to import with iPhoto (unrecognized format as with OP)
6. iPhoto import failure/errors are system wide and not specific to a library or a user.
7. rebuilding xpchelper cache and rebooting in my case does not resolve issue.
8. same videos import fine in iPhoto on a totally different system (laptop running same versions of OS X 10.10 and iPhoto 9.5.1)

IPhoto won't import .mov files from iPhone

I'm trying to import the photos and videos from my iPhone and the following screen shows up:
I've only had this trouble since updating to Yosemite. Any help is appreciated.
MacBook Pro (17-inch, Mid 2010)
8GB Memory
2.53 GHz Intel Core i5

There are many, many posts of this nature in these forums. See, for example:
iphoto won’t import mov video
For many, rebuilding the XPC helper cache solves the problem off the bat. In terminal try this, and reboot:
sudo /usr/libexec/xpchelper --rebuild-cache
The above posted by Andy Ball on a thread related to a similar problem with Aperture:
Re: Import video to Aperture library on Mountain Lion
Other things to try:
1. create a fresh iPhoto library and try that. (hold down opt while launching iPhoto)
2. create a new OS X user (in system preferences) and try there.
In my case – and many cases – neither of those things work either, which means the problem is system wide. Again suggesting that the xpc helper solution might work. But for me it did not either.
There are other suggestions that there are conflicts with Perian (on Yosemite) and flip4mac. In my case uninstalling both of those didn't solve it either.
So maybe one of those solutions will work for you, results apparently vary. But this is a huge unresolved issue many others are having as well. I have a case with a senior apple advisor open, still unresolved. His suggestion of course, at this point, is an archive and re-install. I'm not ready to go there yet.
BTW, another thing he had me try was to import the file with Image Capture (which works). Then open it in QuickTime Player X. Then try exporting to 480p. Does QuickTime crash? It does for me.
My summary:
1. Files successfully import with Image Player.
2. Files play with QuickTime Player X.
3. QuickTime Player X crashes when exporting to 480p.
4. Files import with iMove.
5. Files fail to import with iPhoto (unrecognized format as with OP)
6. iPhoto import failure/errors are system wide and not specific to a library or a user.
7. rebuilding xpchelper cache and rebooting in my case does not resolve issue.
8. same videos import fine in iPhoto on a totally different system (laptop running same versions of OS X 10.10 and iPhoto 9.5.1)

MacBook Pro won't play .mov or .wmv files.

Since "upgrading" to Lion my MacBook Pro won't play .mov or .wmv files, all I get is a black screen and the audio. It's so frustrating!!
I've read many other posts all along the same lines and wherever possible I've tried to follow the advice which has been given but nothing works.    I've updated all the drivers I can and I've even reinstalled Lion, nothing makes a difference.
I'm not really looking for any more advice, all I want is someone from Apple to read these posts, realise there is problem and get working on a fix or update.
I had no problems when running Snow Leopard and it would seem, looking at everyone else's problems, that the common issue is Lion.   Seriously, this is one area where Lion is a backwards step.   It should just work (like most things from Apple), but it doesn't.
Personally I believe there is a problem with Lion but from what I've found out from speaking to friends with other Apple kit, this might be a random issue only affecting some people as some have said they've had no problems while others have had the same issues as me.    One guy reinstalled Lion and it resolved the issue for him, I've not been as lucky.
As I say, I'm not really looking for more advice, simply some sort of update from Apple to fix it.   PLEASE!!!

I'm not really looking for any more advice, all I want is someone from Apple to read these posts, realise there is problem and get working on a fix or update... As I say, I'm not really looking for more advice, simply some sort of update from Apple to fix it.   PLEASE!!!
This is a peer-to-peer user forum. Perhaps you would see more action if you and others would file a formal "Bug" report with Apple QuickTime technical people rather than repeatedly reporting a possible problematic problem which may or may not affect others on a random basis. QUICKTIME PRODUCT FEEDBACK
Since you aren't seeking further advice here is what I have observed. Not being a regular WMV file user, I had to create my own sample file to test—a WMV 9 file containing WMV3 compressed video and WMA2 compressed audio. Since I normally use QT 7 as my primary media player, I also stored the WMV data in its partially decompressed form in an MOV file container to avoid pre-playback delays in "classic" player routines and also provide a secondary playback test of MOV wrapped content. These files play as follows using the Flip4Mac component/player support and uncoded URL uploads:
QT 7.6.6 "Open File" - both files play correctly.
QT 7.6.6 "Open URL" - both files play correctly.
QT X.1 "Open File" - WMV file plays correctly. MOV file plays video without audio.
QT X.1 "Open Location" - WMV file appears to open but plays with "black" screen and no audio. MOV file plays video without audio.
VLC "Open File" - WMV plays correctly. MOV file doesn't open,
VLC "Open URL" - WMV file plays correctly. MOV file appears to open but nothing plays.
MPEG Streamclip "Open File" - both files play correctly.
MPEG Streamclip "Open URL" - both files play correctly.
GarageBand - WMV file will not import but MOV file does.
iTunes - WMV file will not import. MOV file container is accepted but as soon as iTuness sees the compression formats, it aborts import.
Safari - WMV file URL auto-downloads and playes in the QT X.1 Player. The MOV file URL opens and plays in Safari.
As you can see from these results the files do play but are subject to many different constrints based on old/new video technology support, independent QT subsets and/or container trapping constraints. In short, individual user results will depend on presence/absence of component support, actual compression formats, file container, application being used, and how the application is being used. Unfortunately, most users here can't or won't provide the prerequisite information or a sample file for independent examination. This makes it next to impossible to give advice in these matters or categorize the specific nature of the problem.
SAMPLE WMV FILE
SAMPLE MOV FILE

IMac 2008 OS10.9.1 external dvd won't play movie DVD's

iMac 2008 OS10.9.1 external dvd won't play movie DVD's. Other DVD/CD's are recognized.
My internal DVD/CD p-layer/burner stopped working 3 years ago like many other iMacs did.
Any help would be greatly appreciated. This is all red because I am ******!

I have discovered, no thanks to Samsung techs, what the problem is, and it might be revealing for others, as well. It seems that DVD Player, which is the app Apple provides in OS x for (naturally) playing videos, doesn't work with external drives if the computer has an internal drive – even when, as in my case, the internal drive is dead.
I have learned, however, of the existence of a couple of alternative, free applications that run video and audio disks with external optical drives, and one of them, at least (VLC), seems to be widely acclaimed. Does anyone know whether bypassing DVD Player could be a bad idea? There were some gripes from one or two reviewers about awkwardness with playing audio DVDs with iTunes, but I'm not sure what they meant when they said that you have to click on individual items in a selection. Would that mean, for example, having to click on each movement of a Mozart trio? That I couldn't play an entire album's contents of another kind of music without clicking on each song?
Getting the internal optical drive replaced would be prohibitive, even if the parts could be obtained, so I guess I'm stuck trying to deal with the external drive I have and finding the best replacement for DVD Player that I can find. The interesting thing is that the drive works beautifully with a MacBook Air I tried it with, so I guess that is because the Air doesn't have an internal drive?
Wouldn't you think that Samsung techs would know all this? The one I spoke to told me to make sure that my system preference for CDs and DVDs was set to open automatically with DVD Player and sent me all kinds of FAQs, plus a way to get an RMA number for a return. Not a word about difficulties with Macs having an existing internal drive. And all after spending a very long time talking with me about what was going on, what the error message was, and so on. I guess the message hasn't gotten to them.
I hope this information will be helpful to someone.

IPhoto won't play videos (with QT7), after renaming video files in Finder

Hi folks,
My iPhoto9 played video files with Quick time when double clicking the video files in iPhoto. Yesterday I renamed approx 50 video files in Finder (double clicked and renamed them). Now iPhoto won't play them when double clickling. The only way to play them is to a) drag/drop to vlc or b) double click them in Finder.
How can I tell iPhoto to play the video files (interesting fact: the meta data still shows the video old file names)?
Can anyone help me? Thanks!!!!
Thanks
AS

I have not changed default seetings, so I assume I'm running Managed libary.
The yes, that's the case. So, to do this you had to access the Package File and then rename the files. Wasn't the fact that the files are not directly accessible a hint?
I tried overwriting iLife09 (without deleting the version that was on -> it didn't help!!)
Nor would it. That might restore the applications (though without removing the receipts it won't be very effective) but the problem isn't the Applications. The problem is that you have corrupted the Library.
What if I delete iLife and reinstall it. Will iPhoto then be able to play the videos (that I previously renamed with Finder)?
No. Because, again, it will not undo what you did in the Library folder.
As you have no back up, you no have exactly one option: Create a new Library and start over from scratch, importing the originals from the Library you trashed.
Regards
TD

My 3 year old MacBook Pro, with OS 10.7.1, won't play movie DVDs I burned on Panther. Why?

My 3 year old MacBook Pro, with OS 10.7.1, won't play movie DVDs I burned on Panther.
Why?

But to answer your question, you might be able to create a ISO of the DVD and burn that to a new DVD.
Insert your DVD.
Open /Applications/Utilities/Disk Utility.app.
In the left side of the window, select the “DVD”.
Click “New Image” from the Disk Utility toolbar and select where you want to save the temporary image. For “Image Format”, choose “DVD/CD master” and for “Encryption”, choose “none”.
The image extension in the “Save As” box will be .cdr (this is what you want) — click “Save”.
Once the temporary image is created, it will show up on the left side of the Disk Utility window. Select it.
Insert a blank DVD (I prefer Verbatim discs).
Click “Burn” from the Disk Utility toolbar.
Another problem could be that you burned the DVD using a codec that your new machine doesn't have.
Install Perian, VLC and Flip4Mac, that combination will play anything.
Also install Flash for web content and Silverlight for Netflix.
http://flashbuilder.eu/flash-player-version.html

IPhoto won't import movies (.mov, .mp4) into the library since last upgrade to 9.5.1 (902.17)

iPhoto won't import movies (.mov, .mp4) into the library since last upgrade to 9.5.1 (902.17). Error message is "File format not recognized". Before that, no problem. Had them first on SD-card over USB, tried then to copy to the HD (Desktop) and import from there, but didn't work. Imported successfully into iMovie and exported as .mp4, but even this is not recognized.

As a Test:
Hold down the option (or alt) key and launch iPhoto. From the resulting menu select 'Create Library'
Import a few pics into this new, blank library. Is the Problem repeated there?
Post back with the result.

QT won't play .mov files any more

After a complete system re-install, QT player won't play .mov files any more. It tells me, some components were missing. Hey, this is its own file format!
MPG files run OK.
Thanks a lot for a good idea!
Peter

What format are the videos that don't play.
WMV...Windowa Mwdi Videos you'll need the flip4mac component. Free trail:
http://www.telestream.net/flip4mac-wmv/overview.htm
Other codecs, Perian and it's free:
http://perian.org/
Flash videos like the one on youTube. Adobe Flash comonent and it's free.
http://get.adobe.com/flashplayer/?promoid=DXLUJ
You should download all three and install. Remember to rebuild your Permission after install any or all of the above.

Is this beta? The image for Yosemite is a very big rock, appropriate as this OS sends your mac back to the stone-age. iTunes crashes on open, iPhoto won't download, movies won't play, Safari won't show graphics, wifi down to speed of crippled snail.

Is this beta. The image for Yosemite is a very big rock, appropriate as this OS sends your mac back to the stone-age. iTunes crashes on open, iPhoto won't update, Safari shows text without graphics, can't get Java 8 'cause Safari "can't find server". Wifi slower than a crippled snail. Does anyone know how to uninstall this rubbish?

travellingbirder wrote:
Is this beta ?
You tell us Finding the OS X version and build information on your Mac.

Iphoto won't import mov video

Iphoto 9.5.1 (mac mini, mavericks) suddenly stopped playing some mov videos. With iphoto library manager I found out that unplayable mov files are indicated in iphoto as pictures. When I press «reveal in finder» I still can play all the mov files via quicktime. But when I try to delete and re-import them into iphoto library I always get the message «The following files could not be imported. The file is an unrecognised format». I deleted perian, quicktime 7, fip4mac, I did rebuild and repair of the library. Nothing helps (sorry for my English).

I think I have the EXACT same problem. (Everything also up to date)
I can't view movies that were viewable just days ago. (So, I am guessing this happened for me with the most recent OS update a day or so ago.)
Some videos from my (non iPhone) cameras will play. But LOTS don't. Some have audio and no video. iPhone movies won't play at all.
I can't import videos from my iPhone 5 into a library -- not even a brand new library. It gives me the same message that it is an unrecognized format. In fact, I can't import .mov files from two new Canon cameras that I imported from just days ago! I get the same error message.
This happens with some variation in both Aperture and iPhoto. Actually, iPhoto shows many of my videos (except iPhone vids), unlike Aperture which lets me view very few.
I have repaired and rebuilt the library/database. As I said, I have created a new library. No change - same problem occurs.
iPhoto won't even let me export video.
But, if I view the original movie file in finder, everything works fine, no problems - I can Quick Look it, open it in Quicktime, etc. etc.
** This is THE ERROR MESSAGE that I am getting TONS of in the console whenever I try to do just about anything with movies: **
Any help greatly appreciated.

Quicktime V7.4 won't play movie rentals

I upgraded to QT 7.4 and now iTunes won't play my movie rentals. It just somes me the movie with no sound. I have even gone so far as to uninstall 7.4 and install 7.1, but then the movie won't play at all, just goes to the iTunes store and then stops, doing nothing. Can anyone help? Much appreciated.
Larry

I was having the same problem but just found a solution for IE. You need to make sure the QuicktimeCheck Class addon is enabled. Tools>Internet Options>Programs>Manage Addons. (Addons currently loaded in Internet Explorer)
I am not sure how this got disabled but enabling it got rid of the "Get the latest Quicktime" message and allowed me to view trailers once again.

Quicktime x won't play movies

I have snow leopard, mac os 10.6.2 and quicktime x. Ever since I upgraded to snow leopard whenever I put movies into my mac they won't play. They use to automatically play but now they don't. I can't manually make them play either. When I open quicktime it won't even recognize a movie is in. When the movie pops up on the desktop and I open it, it opens as the audio and video file folders and not the actual movie. Any help?

Ever since I upgraded to snow leopard whenever I put movies into my mac they won't play. They use to automatically play but now they don't. I can't manually make them play either. When I open quicktime it won't even recognize a movie is in. When the movie pops up on the desktop and I open it, it opens as the audio and video file folders and not the actual movie. Any help?
Are these movies employing legacy codecs and/or require a third-party component package like Perian? If so, have you updated the needed components that will work under the QT X/7 combined structure/QTkit?

QT 7 and higher won't play .mov data that QT 6 used to play.

I got several .mov files along with a biochemistry book. After having updated to QT 7, QT Player won't play some of these files. The progress bar displays a progress as it used to under QT 6. There is neither audio, and the screen stays black. However, the files are still played by older versions of QT, so they aren't corrupt. The movies feature a track type "flash".
Thank you for any helpfull info.

I also have this problem - loads of mov files with flash content that will no longer play. Using an older version of QT isn't an option as I wan't to play these at work.
Does anyone know of a converter that will play these files and convert them to another format?

QUICKTIME WON'T PLAY MOVIES???

Does anyone else have the problem with Quicktime 7.4.5 not playing any type of movies (mov/mp4/avi)? Until the latest update for itunes/quicktime I had no problem playing the movies. Now I keep getting "Error -50: An unknown error occurred (name of movie.extension)". Most of my movies were converted from .flv to .mp4 then saved with quicktime to .mov. I used "Replay Converter". Again until today, quicktime had NO problem playing any of these files...now it can't play any of them.
Any suggestions?

For a long time, there was a bug in the conversion of .flv's to .mp4 in the ffmpeg libraries. This caused any app that used ffmpeg to create non-standard .mp4 files. This bug has now been fixed and everything should work as normal. However, those older files that were not created according to the .mp4 standard won't play when they have an .mp4 extension.
On the Mac side, an app to fix these have been released, I don't know about the PC side. Others have noticed that if they change the extension to .3gp, they will play (and they're reported to play in iTunes as well).

Iphoto won't play movies

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for