quicktime wont play .avi files. - Page 2

psquare11 · Jan 20, 2010, 04:05 AM

I'm running Snow Leo and am also having problems getting QT (w/Perian installed) to play an .avi file. QT keeps generating the following err msg:

"The document 'Castle.2009.S02E13.HDTV.XviD-2HD.avi' could not be opened. The movie is not in a format that QuickTime Player understands."

I'm wondering if the problem lies with the "...HDTV.XviD-2HD...." nomenclature. Could the issue be that QT or Perian doesn't support HD files?

psquare11 · Jan 20, 2010, 04:31 AM

Just reread some old messages in this string. Harley3k had the right answer in his Dec. 2008 entry: After installing Perian, just close and then reopen Q-T and voila! the problem is history. I'm now running HD .avi files in Q-T just fine.

Thanks Harley3K!!

addythebat · Jan 20, 2010, 04:34 AM

I never could get Perian/QT to work with the files I was trying to watch, so I went with another option; VLC player. It works wonderfully.

harley3k · Jan 20, 2010, 11:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by psquare11

Just reread some old messages in this string. Harley3k had the right answer in his Dec. 2008 entry: After installing Perian, just close and then reopen Q-T and voila! the problem is history. I'm now running HD .avi files in Q-T just fine.

Thanks Harley3K!!

Hey, no problem

As someone else noted, VLC Player also works great...the new quicktime interface is better though IMO.

Anats · Mar 31, 2010, 12:19 PM

Great thank you this thread helped!

calliope8muse · May 20, 2010, 08:23 PM

ok here is the question for the gigs.

I am running the latest (10.6.3) snow leopard and latest QT 10.

The strangest thing: I have perian installed since day one I got my Mac (it was 9 monts ago), I have VLC also.

Today I decided to see an .avi movie in QT as usual, but it refuses to open ANY .avi movie.

I re-installed the latest Perian> Still no sign

Any suggestions please?? Much appreciated... in the meantime ~I will have to see my movie in VLC

lornabshaw · Oct 26, 2010, 04:20 AM

Hi -

I have a PowerBook G4 running OSX v.10.4.11 with iPhoto'08 (v.7.1.5),
Quick Time Player (v.7.6.4) - and I have managed to download some video files from my camera. They appear in iPhoto with the movie camera icon and show some seconds of duration to the right. However, when I double click on the photo, nothing happens. I downloaded Perian as suggested but still have no success.

I also tried to download the video files to a folder on my desktop (so that I could then easily attach them in an email) but those files, though they show the .avi extension on the file names, only open as still photos. If I open them via Quick Time, and try to play them, the arrow instantly goes from the left to the right, no video.

These videos are of a friend who is terminally ill. I want to get them to her in working order as soon as possible. Please help.

Thanks,
- lorna

calliope8muse · Oct 26, 2010, 05:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by psquare11

After installing Perian, just close and then reopen Q-T and [I]voila!

try to update your quicktime and do as mentioned in the previous post (quoted here). now go and right click on that file> open with> perian

2. what's the problem with your footage? try to open it with iMovie to edit it.

3.try to open it with vlc anyway see if it plays (if it doesn't play with vlc, then I will start wondering)

4. even if .avi file you can still select to open it with either vlc or QuickTime.

Hope it helps

cher72 · Oct 31, 2010, 04:43 PM

I have the new macbook and couldn't watch avi files. I downloaded Perian as suggested and it worked straight away. Thanks a lot

confussedandnew · Dec 9, 2010, 04:24 PM

I realize how long ago these threads where posted but I am hoping that someone can help me!
I am trying to play avi files while streaming online. However, even though I have downloaded the Divx player and Perian, it still won't play.

Hope someone knows how to help me!

Luxuryoverdose · Feb 28, 2011, 03:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by epochblue

I feel like this bears repeating, since my response was completely glossed over.

Please install Perian. It will solve this problem. It is free. It is easy to install. It WILL work.

Thanks for the advice Michael. I'm about to kick back and watch Black Swan. Very many thanks.

David
Snake Valley, Australia

Rowf · Feb 28, 2011, 02:15 PM

Sorry to butt in but there seems to be some folk who are knowledgable about quicktime here.

Any idea why I keep getting a 'connection failed' message when I try to stream mp4 in quicktime?
I haven't got perian installed but I was under the impression that quicktime played mpeg4 natively.
Its quicktime x on snow leopard if that helps.
I've tried quicktime 7 but that gave the same result.

Thanks

bencnorden · Mar 2, 2011, 04:45 PM

VLC is without doubt the best media player, plays just about any format. Free to download and easy to use.

http://www.videolan.org/vlc/

Rory Bhoy · May 8, 2011, 01:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by epochblue

I recommend installing Perian. It's an _excellent_ codec pack for Quicktime.

I had the very same problem until you quoted the above. It now works fine, thanks for the input EpochBlue, it was very much appreciated.

Proverbs33 · Nov 25, 2011, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by epochblue

I recommend installing Perian. It's an _excellent_ codec pack for Quicktime.

PERIAN works!!!! This guy knows what he's talking about! It takes literally 2 minutes to dload then restart your mac. The program automatically makes the movie compatible with quicktime!

THANK YOU epoch blue for the post!!!

hampshireman · Dec 9, 2011, 10:43 AM

Spotted this while looking for help. Non techie here, but love Apple as it was my first computer.

I have an old Powermac G4 with 10.4.11 and have QT,VLC,Movist, RealPlayer, Perian, Elmedia and MPEG Streamclip, but I can't view a .WMV or .mp4 file without them freezing or jumping rather than flowing. Even FLVs are often freezing or jumping too. I am trying to view short videos downloaded from websites.

When I heard of Perian some time back I put it in Applications, should I have put it into QT (is that possible?) or restarted or what. Not even sure if that's the answer but who knows?

highlander99 · Jan 1, 2012, 04:47 PM

thank u very much..

Quote:

Originally Posted by epochblue

I feel like this bears repeating, since my response was completely glossed over.

Please install Perian. It will solve this problem. It is free. It is easy to install. It WILL work.

hampshireman · Jan 2, 2012, 12:54 AM

Thanks, but now have Mac Mini and everything play either on QT of VLC

colinonthegroov · Jan 20, 2012, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by epochblue

I feel like this bears repeating, since my response was completely glossed over.

Please install Perian. It will solve this problem. It is free. It is easy to install. It WILL work.

Thank you so much epochblue. After 8 years as a PC user, I just bought my first ever Mac (specifically Macbook Pro) in Nov. 2011 and have been struggling with how to play my videos. Problem solved. So easy. Tried ISkysoft for awhile and wasn't too fond of the massive watermark in the top left corner.lol Much obliged.

LesterM · Feb 2, 2013, 04:30 AM

Downloaded in a micro second and working within a minute, so easy thanks!

Jan 20, 2010, 04:05 AM	#26
psquare11 macrumors newbie Join Date: Dec 2007	Why the Perian solution doesn't work(?) I'm running Snow Leo and am also having problems getting QT (w/Perian installed) to play an .avi file. QT keeps generating the following err msg: "The document 'Castle.2009.S02E13.HDTV.XviD-2HD.avi' could not be opened. The movie is not in a format that QuickTime Player understands." I'm wondering if the problem lies with the "...HDTV.XviD-2HD...." nomenclature. Could the issue be that QT or Perian doesn't support HD files?
	0

Jan 20, 2010, 04:31 AM	#27
psquare11 macrumors newbie Join Date: Dec 2007	Boy do I feel dumb!! Just reread some old messages in this string. Harley3k had the right answer in his Dec. 2008 entry: After installing Perian, just close and then reopen Q-T and voila! the problem is history. I'm now running HD .avi files in Q-T just fine. Thanks Harley3K!!
	0

May 20, 2010, 08:23 PM	#31
calliope8muse macrumors newbie Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: London, UK	can't play avi files in quicktime 10, even with perian ok here is the question for the gigs. I am running the latest (10.6.3) snow leopard and latest QT 10. The strangest thing: I have perian installed since day one I got my Mac (it was 9 monts ago), I have VLC also. Today I decided to see an .avi movie in QT as usual, but it refuses to open ANY .avi movie. I re-installed the latest Perian> Still no sign Any suggestions please?? Much appreciated... in the meantime ~I will have to see my movie in VLC
	0

Oct 26, 2010, 04:20 AM	#32
lornabshaw macrumors newbie Join Date: Oct 2010	help needed to get .avi file (in iphoto) to play/to send via email Hi - I have a PowerBook G4 running OSX v.10.4.11 with iPhoto'08 (v.7.1.5), Quick Time Player (v.7.6.4) - and I have managed to download some video files from my camera. They appear in iPhoto with the movie camera icon and show some seconds of duration to the right. However, when I double click on the photo, nothing happens. I downloaded Perian as suggested but still have no success. I also tried to download the video files to a folder on my desktop (so that I could then easily attach them in an email) but those files, though they show the .avi extension on the file names, only open as still photos. If I open them via Quick Time, and try to play them, the arrow instantly goes from the left to the right, no video. These videos are of a friend who is terminally ill. I want to get them to her in working order as soon as possible. Please help. Thanks, - lorna
	0

Mar 2, 2011, 04:45 PM	#38
bencnorden macrumors member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: England, Brighton	VLC is without doubt the best media player, plays just about any format. Free to download and easy to use. http://www.videolan.org/vlc/ __________________ 21.5" iMac, 3.2GHz, 4GB RAM, 500 GB HDD; 13.3" White Macbook (2010) 4GB RAM, 250 GB HDD; 4GB iPod Nano. iPod Touch 3G 64GB Blackberry Torch 9800
	0

Jan 20, 2010, 04:34 AM	#28
addythebat macrumors newbie Join Date: Dec 2009	I never could get Perian/QT to work with the files I was trying to watch, so I went with another option; VLC player. It works wonderfully.
	0

Mar 31, 2010, 12:19 PM	#30
Anats macrumors newbie Join Date: Mar 2010	Great thank you this thread helped!
	0

Oct 31, 2010, 04:43 PM	#34
cher72 macrumors newbie Join Date: Oct 2010	I have the new macbook and couldn't watch avi files. I downloaded Perian as suggested and it worked straight away. Thanks a lot
	0

Dec 9, 2010, 04:24 PM	#35
confussedandnew macrumors newbie Join Date: Dec 2010	I realize how long ago these threads where posted but I am hoping that someone can help me! I am trying to play avi files while streaming online. However, even though I have downloaded the Divx player and Perian, it still won't play. Hope someone knows how to help me!
	0

Feb 28, 2011, 02:15 PM	#37
Rowf macrumors regular Join Date: Feb 2011	Sorry to butt in but there seems to be some folk who are knowledgable about quicktime here. Any idea why I keep getting a 'connection failed' message when I try to stream mp4 in quicktime? I haven't got perian installed but I was under the impression that quicktime played mpeg4 natively. Its quicktime x on snow leopard if that helps. I've tried quicktime 7 but that gave the same result. Thanks
	0

Dec 9, 2011, 10:43 AM	#41
hampshireman macrumors regular Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Hampshire	Spotted this while looking for help. Non techie here, but love Apple as it was my first computer. I have an old Powermac G4 with 10.4.11 and have QT,VLC,Movist, RealPlayer, Perian, Elmedia and MPEG Streamclip, but I can't view a .WMV or .mp4 file without them freezing or jumping rather than flowing. Even FLVs are often freezing or jumping too. I am trying to view short videos downloaded from websites. When I heard of Perian some time back I put it in Applications, should I have put it into QT (is that possible?) or restarted or what. Not even sure if that's the answer but who knows? __________________ Hashed the world over and still come back to England. Please take a look at my website www.dereksnowdon.com
	0

Jan 2, 2012, 12:54 AM	#43
hampshireman macrumors regular Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Hampshire	Thanks, but now have Mac Mini and everything play either on QT of VLC __________________ Hashed the world over and still come back to England. Please take a look at my website www.dereksnowdon.com
	0

Feb 2, 2013, 04:30 AM	#45
LesterM macrumors newbie Join Date: Feb 2013	Thanks for Perian info Downloaded in a micro second and working within a minute, so easy thanks!
	0

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