Why do I need Quick time 7 and Quicktime 10 ?

Question

I have just migrated from iMac5 (2.16 GHz) Mac OS 10.4.11 Quicktime 7.6.4 to a new imac 3.06 Mac OS 10.6.2 Quicktime 10.0.
Some of my quicktime files play ok but others prompt me to download quicktime version 7. Why do I need to do this ? (There seem to be a lot of problems with this looking at the forums). All the files play on the old mac. Why isn't Quicktime forward compatible or why is there no import facility so that you can make your old files compatible ?
Or am I missing something ?

Answer 1

Some of my quicktime files play ok but others prompt me to download quicktime version 7. Why do I need to do this ?
Because your system thinks you are missing specific codecs required for the playback of certain compression formats. In some cases this may be an installation problem in which the codec was "lost" or "orphaned" during the update process. In others it may be a need to update the component to work properly under the dual QT X/7 framework installed under the Snow Leopard OS. You need to check the Inspector/Finder Info or similar window to determine what specific codec is causing the problem and then re-install or update that specific codec/component/package.
(There seem to be a lot of problems with this looking at the forums).
Most of the problems are "self-inflicted" by individuals who, rather than studying the problem symptoms, analyzing them to determine their cause, and then fixing the problems, elect to immediately delete and re-install software -- often attempting to mix components from different operating systems and/or update versions of the software in their haste.
All the files play on the old mac. Why isn't Quicktime forward compatible or why is there no import facility so that you can make your old files compatible?
I am running both Leopard and Snow Leopard variations of QT v7.6.6 and all of my "old" files have remained compatible -- to include MPEG-2 video and a limited number of third-party supported compression formats. Since my configurations continue to work properly, my first guess is that you have an unresolved configuration problem or inability for your QT X 64-bit routines to communicate/switch properly with the 32-bit routines as required for your content.
Why do I need Quick time 7 and Quicktime 10?
Technically, you probably don't. However, as an old QT 7 Pro user who likes many of the QT 7 Player controls/options/features better than QT X's new but more basic features, I maintain both in active service and tend to use QT 7 as the default player of most of my work flows. Still, this is up to the individual. I am in no hurry to rush the changeover from an older but still more reliable QT technology to a more modern, but as yet, less mature and well tested "new" QT technology. In short, I feel it best to make the most of both dispensations during the development of this "new" version of QT.