Quicktime Player can't convert .avi files

So I have a project where we have to make a trailer for a book of our choice and I was assigned video editor. A group member sent me some footage we had gotten with an old flip. I downloaded it but quicktime player couldn't open it. It told me to see if addittional software is available that will enable quictime player to open the movie, I clicked on Tell Me More but it provided not very useful as I would have to pay money. Any way I can get quicktime player to open the video so I can view it, save it, then edit it on iMovie?

Try installing Perian even if not prompted. You can also obtain more information by opening it in MPEG Streamclip and choosing Show Stream Info from the File menu; this will say exactly what format the video is in.
(107508)

Similar Messages

  • I recently purchased QuickTime 7 Pro to convert avi files to mov files for editing on Imovie. However, QuickTime won't play the files. How can I get them to play and how can I convert them to mov files?

    I recently purchased QuickTime 7 Pro to convert avi files to mov files for editing on Imovie. However, QuickTime won't play the files. How can I get them to play and how can I convert them to mov files?

    I recently purchased QuickTime 7 Pro to convert avi files to mov files for editing on Imovie. However, QuickTime won't play the files. How can I get them to play and how can I convert them to mov files?
    Both the AVI and the MOV file extensions refer to the file container and not the compressed data the file contains. Both are generic file containers in that each may contain any valid combination of audio and/or video data that is compatible with the codec component configuration of the system on which the file was created. On the other hand, whether a file is playback compatible, conversion compatible, and/or edit compatible depends on the data actually contained in the file container. So, you are basically dealing with two separate issues here—the container and what is inside it.
    Basically, if you want to make your files ediit compatible with iMovie, you must change your file container to one that is acceptable to iMovie and convert the data to edit compatible audio and/or video compression formats as may be necessary. The best approach is to determine what codecs were actually used to create the original AVI files and add them to your system if possible. In most cases a codec package like Perian can be added to your system's codec component configuration to may the AVI file playable. Once they are playable, in the QT 7 app then they can be chnged or converted to file types and compression formats that can be edited in iMovie. (While Perian handles most codecs commonly used to create AVI files, it does not handle all possibilities and, while the Perian codec package still works under cureent Mac OS versions, its development group has decided to drop further development/support of the package.)
    Background: AVI is a file container originally developed by Microsoft back in 1992 but for which official support was discontinued about 11 years. Despite its limitations, Windows users still tend to use this file based on its open source ease of use and generic nature, thus, making its use so popular that most users are unwilling to switch to more modern but less generic file types. Since some AVI legacy compression formats have never been transcoded for the Mac or use beyond OS 9 or OS X PPC platforms, it is often important to know what specific compression formats are contained in the AVI file to know which codecs to add to your system and which not to add in order to avoid possible codec conflicts.
    You can use many different converters to convert AVI files to iMovie edit compatible files. Most third-party apps contain their own buit-in codecs which do not relay on the Mac codec component configuration. Free ones, like HandBrake, usually have limited conversion capabilities while those that have more varied outputs are usually commercial in nature and will cost you additional cash. QT 7 Pro or the free MPEG Streamclip app allow you to access you own system's component configuration and use any available codec component like DV, AIC, MPEG-4, H.264, Photo JPEG, etc.—all of which are iMovie compatible for editing purposes—but only after making the AVI file QT 7 player compatible.
    In order to determine what compression formats wewre used in your AVI files you can
    1) Try checking the Finder "Info" window,
    2) Use the "Inspector", "Media Info", or "Properties" window of any player app that will open the file, or
    3) Use a general media utility app like "MediaInfo" to read the file characteristics.

  • My QuickTime player us not playing .avi files and says I need a codec I can't play no .avi files on QuickTime. How could I fix this because I want to play these files with QuickTime.

    My QuickTime player us not playing .avi files and says I need a codec I can't play no .avi files on QuickTime. How could I fix this because I want to play these files with QuickTime.

    Hmm . . . comes with a Utility MPEG2 Component ML app with no explanation of what it's for?
    The utility app is an "assistant PKG installer." It allows Lion and Mountain Lion users to install the older QT MPEG-2 Playback Component installer PKG file which is not allowed to run on its own under Lion or Mountain Lion since these operating systems already have a QT X only MPEG-2 component embedded in the QT embedded structure. Without this utility you would have to either copy the component from an older system to your Lion or Mountain Lion system, use Pacifist for installation, or manually open the PKG contents and transfer the component to the appropriate component folder.
    As to your "discussion" regarding the playback of AVI file types, there are really only two strategies here:
    1) You can add component support so that QT can play the files natively or
    2) You can convert the file contents to compression formats that are natively compatible with the unmodified QT component configuration.
    Each user should decide for his or her own self which approach best suits their needs for a particular source file. In most cases, conforming the system's codec component configuration to play the source file directly results in higher video quality since no transcoding takes place but this strategy will not work if a codec which is required is not available for the user's operating system. On the other hand, converter utilities tend to support more built-in codecs and are easier to use since the user does not have to concern him or herself with the nature of the particular source compression formats but at the risk of some potential loss in visual quality. As to what converter to use, once again this is a matter of personal choice. In the case of commercial converters like iSkysoft, the codecs are built in while MPEG Streamclip accesses the host operating system's QT codec component configuration. I personally prefer the free HandBrake app for AVI, MKV, TS, MTS, and M2TS conversions since it has an exceptionally full-featured X.264 GUI with some user options that 97% of users are likely to never use.

  • Can You Convert .avi files to go onto itunes.

    I was wondering if there is anyway to convert avi files to whatever file it needs to put on a ipod?
    Thanks!

    I was wondering if there is anyway to convert avi files to whatever file it needs to put on a ipod?
    Use an application like MPEG Streamclip (free), QT Pro ($30), GarageBand (part of iLife), etc to access the built-in iPod export preset. Specific access instructions vary by application.

  • System file corrupted? FCP and quicktime suddenly can't convert AVIs

    Yesterday I could open an 12 minute AVI file in quick time, go to "Save As" and save it as a MOV file, which would take about 45 seconds, as far as i can see it's a rewrap, not a conversion, but tell me if i'm wrong.
    Ive been trying to find the best way to do this on batch, so i've been trying to do do it using Final Cut Pro's batch export tool (ran very slow, crashed a couple of times) and MPEG Streamclip's batch tool (which worked fine, and speedy, but files came out looking interlaced). But finding out how to do this in batches isn't my problem at the moment.
    The problem is that today, all the programs seem to struggle with the conversion. What would have taken 45 seconds in quicktime yesterday seems to take up to an hour today. MPEG streamclip suffers similar slow down issues. Final Cut Pro can't even start converting today.
    I was just wondering what could have changed to make this happen to all 3 programs at once. I'm assuming that it's a codec, or something that they all reference in the conversion process. I dont know what that would be or where it would be, or how to fix it. If any one could shed any light on any part of this I would be eternally grateful.
    The files are dv pal avis, standard definition. Ive tried re-installing Quicktime, I put in the final cut pro disc to see if there was a repair option but there wasnt one. final cut version 6.0.6, quicktime 7.6.4, streamclip 1.9.2
    Message was edited by: aceswild
    Message was edited by: aceswild

    Are any of the PDFs set to PDF/A already or have security set. I don't think either are allowed when doing the combine function.

  • HT2305 just downloaded quicktime player, tried to play avi file and all I had was a black screen. HELP!

    I'm just after attempting to play an avi file with Quicktime player on windows7 and all I got was a blank screen. Is there any particular reason that this is happening, or is quicktime incapable of playing avi files without going pro?

    The QuickTime Player doesn't have the right codec for that specific AVI. Purchasing QuickTime Pro will make no difference; it doesn't contain any additional codecs.
    (64086)

  • Quicktime Player won't play avi files all of a sudden

    All of a sudden Quicktime Player won't play my avi files. They worked previously. I could play them with Quicktime 7 with or without Perian. I'm running 10.6.4.
    They'll run fine on my MacBook and I don't have Perian installed on it.
    Any ideas?

    I just uninstalled Flip4Mac and everything is working as it's supposed to. Very strange. Perhaps a conflict with Perian? But then again, QT didn't play the avi files with Perian installed. So, I guess the conflict is with Flip4Mac and something else.
    Thanks anyway

  • Quicktime player won't play avi files.

    Hi Guys,
         My MacBook Pro is amazing and all but when I try to watch or open an .avi file it tells me this:
    Yes I did click on the "Tell Me More" button and downloaded the Dvix Plugin but after all the trouble of downloading everything the .avi files still don't play...
    Please Guys help me out....
    Thanks,
    Lucas

    It will be through VLC.  VLC is worth having as it enables you to play lots of media formats that are not otherwise supported on the Mac.

  • HT3775 what if I am trying to open an .avi video format file and, though, I am receiving the message that "QuickTime Player can't open this file because a required codec is not available"?

    Somebody can help?

    There are also other media players with the capabilty.
    Check the Mac App Store.  Some are free, some are not.
    They all have various features you may or may not need.
    Flip For Mac is a pretty basic (the free version) player
    for avi and other Wndows based video formats.

  • How can I convert avi file to mov file for final cut pro?

    Hi
    I have source files which are captured by Canous Edious system.
    I want to edit these files on final cut pro 5.1, However, I got the audio but no image at all. Although I tired to use Discreet Cleaner 6.5 in my apple computer, it did not work. What sall I do with this problem?
    Someone told me that it should work with Cleaner, so I purchased.
    Is there any special setting for Cleaner?
    If anyone knows about this, plseae let me know.
    thanks you .
    system G5 2.3/4.5GB Final cut ST 5.1
    Discreet Cleaner 6.5

    This may assist:
    http://www.divx.com/divx/mac/?hp3macmoreinfo

  • Quicktime 10.1 not playing .avi files

    My quicktime player isn't playing .avi files properly. I have perian installed and have been playing .avi files on my MacBook Pro fine now for over 2 years. However, I resently installed Lion and it doesn't seem to be working now. I've looked around and it seems there are some bugs with Perian and Lion, however I haven't seen mine. Quicktimes loads, loads the video, I can click anywhere on the timeline and see the video, however when I hit play, it immediately pauses itself and won't play. Sometimes it will play very brieftly, about 1/10 of a second, and then flicker back to paused. Is there any other integrated solution to Perian? Was hoping to not have to get VLC player.

    I had this same problem and someone on here helped me solve it.
    As stated, I did not have any problem and could not duplicate the original poster's problem.
    See if you have DIVX For Mac installed.
    Negative. I do not have any DivX components installed and am using Perian for playback. AVI (DivX5/MP3) files were created using Visual Hub under Snow Leopard. And, if I cannot get Visual Hub to work under Lion (PPC version is not Lion compatible), then I will drop AVI altogether since I only use it to send my sister clips.

  • How to convert AVI-files to work on the Nano

    How can I convert AVI-files to work on the Nano? What file-type does it support and what software do I use to convert the files?

    Hello RoyalOak,
    Compatible video formats for your iPod can be found on your iPod's specs page, which can be found below. However, I decided to include the long list in this thread anyways, so here it is.
    _*Compatible Video Formats*_
    H.264 video, up to 1.5 Mbps, 640 by 480 pixels, 30 frames per second, Low-Complexity version of the H.264 Baseline Profile with AAC-LC audio up to 160 Kbps, 48kHz, stereo audio in .m4v, .mp4, and .mov file formats; H.264 video, up to 2.5 Mbps, 640 by 480 pixels, 30 frames per second, Baseline Profile up to Level 3.0 with AAC-LC audio up to 160 Kbps, 48kHz, stereo audio in .m4v, .mp4, and .mov file formats; MPEG-4 video, up to 2.5 Mbps, 640 by 480 pixels, 30 frames per second, Simple Profile with AAC-LC audio up to 160 Kbps, 48kHz, stereo audio in .m4v, .mp4, and .mov file formats
    http://www.apple.com/ipodnano/specs.html
    There are several third party applications available to help convert your movies to a more iPod friendly format. Here are a few.
    [HandBrake|http://handbrake.fr>
    [MPEG Streamclip|http://www.squared5.com>
    Once you have the videos in an iPod friendly format, import it into iTunes, configure your iPod to sync videos, and then be on your way.
    B-rock

  • Can't import .AVI files in QuickTime Player

    Hi there - Okay,,I'm a real Noob,,but I can't understand why I can't import .AVI files when apparently I should be able to. I have just purchased a Toshiba Camelio S20 and have taken some test movie shots and when I've tried to open them in iMovie or just open them in finder I get the following message
    'The document “IMAG0002.AVI” could not be opened. The movie is not in a format that QuickTime Player understands.'
    The Quicktime player I'm using is Version 10 and I'm working with MacOS X V 10.6.4.
    What am I doing wrong ?
    Pls help ?
    Thanx

    Heya - thank you so much - have done what you suggested and now i can import the clips into iMovie - no problem!
    But,,,,and,,golly,,don't know if I'm being really really stupid but by converting to DV or MOV I lose all audio from any of the clips that I'm importing...
    Can you help some more - sore to be pain in buttocks !! Am completely new to iMovie so am struggling a bit!!!
    Thanking you

  • Converted .avi files to .mov in quicktime, can't transfer to ipod.

    so i recently converted .avi files to .mov using perian in quicktime. i imported them into itunes, and they play just fine there. unfortunately, they won't load onto my ipod. i get an error that the format is not recognized by my ipod. has anyone had this issue? if so, am i doing something wrong, and/or how can i correct this? i'm using a 2 ghz powerpc g5, and a 160 gb ipod classic. thanks!

    You need to convert to MPEG-4.
    (55389)

  • Quicktime converting .avi files

    Hi
    Most times when I try and play .avi files in Quicktime I get a message saying 'converting'.
    It takes ages to do so and when or if it finally does convert the sound is severely out of sync.
    I am running a new Macbook Pro and have Quicktime 10.3 and have installed Perian for codecs.
    Can anyone help?

    Files encoded using modern and standards-based codecs such as H.263, H.264,  MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, JPEG, and Apple ProRes open in QuickTime Player without being converted. When opening media files that use older codecs, QuickTime Player in Mavericks automatically converts them into a new QuickTime movie.
    You can use QuickTime Player 7 that plays many older media files without conversion, but it's recommended that you convert important older files to newer formats whenever possible. Download QuickTime Player 7 for Mavericks from here.

Maybe you are looking for