Quicktime Pro vs. VLC Player? Disregard money.

Steve Jobless · Mar 9, 2007, 07:52 PM

Right now I have the option of which to keep. I like VLC (free) but it seems buggy and often crashes making it a dubious task to watch a 20 minute clip. I'm considering quicktime pro since it supports all the media types that VLC supports and is native apple. again disregard the money issue.

thanks

vniow · 09:26 PM

Why not just keep both? VLC is good for some things, QT is better for others.

Could also try Mplayer for ***** and giggles.

http://www.versiontracker.com/dyn/moreinfo/macos/27163

Fearless Leader · Mar 9, 2007, 08:02 PM

VLC seems to do a better job. An HD video stutters in Quicktime at full screen but vlc has no issues. These videos have a flash layer on top so you can click web addresses and stuff, but vlc ignores it.

breakfastcrew · Mar 9, 2007, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Jobless

Right now I have the option of which to keep. I like VLC (free) but it seems buggy and often crashes making it a dubious task to watch a 20 minute clip. I'm considering quicktime pro since it supports all the media types that VLC supports and is native apple. again disregard the money issue.

thanks

I think vlc supports quite a few more format than qt pro.

PkennethV · Mar 9, 2007, 08:52 PM

I personally use Quicktime Pro whenever possible. I just throw anything it can't play into VLC. If you will also be converting/exporting a lot of videos then Quicktime Pro can export to an awfull lot of formats. Quicktime just feels a little more complete and intergrated to me.

M@lew · Mar 9, 2007, 10:10 PM

I reckon Quicktime Pro with all it's plug-ins does a pretty good job of playing video's for me.

TAV · Mar 9, 2007, 11:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Jobless

Right now I have the option of which to keep. I like VLC (free) but it seems buggy and often crashes making it a dubious task to watch a 20 minute clip. I'm considering quicktime pro since it supports all the media types that VLC supports and is native apple. again disregard the money issue.

thanks

QT Pro offers zero in terms of additional media compatibility versus standard QT. QT Pro is just as limited in its ability to decode video and audio as QT Pro.

Are you under the false assumption that the Pro version of QT includes some sort of additional audio and video decoders? If so, you are incorrect.

Anything that doesn't play in QT doesn't play in QTPro. Editing is a completely separate issue, but not one that you raised.

Native QT (without the support of additional codecs) cannot play many of the "media types" that VLC can.

I am a huge fan of QT and its Pro capabilities, but your ability to "play" media files has nothing to do with QT/QTPro, and everything to do with the video and audio codecs you have installed, the player apps you have installed, as well as the ability of your setup to handle video files with various specs.

The Stig · Mar 9, 2007, 11:41 PM

I like QT Pro. It is simple and it looks great. I have VLC but I only use it when QT doesn't play something, which doesn't happen a lot after all the QT plug ins.

The Stig

clevin · Mar 10, 2007, 09:19 AM

VLC only takes 41.4mb on disk, are you in a situation to save that much space?

mkrishnan · Mar 10, 2007, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TAV

Native QT (without the support of additional codecs) cannot play many of the "media types" that VLC can.

All very true....

For what it's worth, I've found that, since Perian came out and F4M became free, videos not working in QT has become basically a non-issue, with some specific exceptions (QT cannot stream TV from my DVR, but VLC can). However, in any event, I don't see any reason to go and delete VLC....

MisterMe · Mar 10, 2007, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Jobless

Right now I have the option of which to keep. I like VLC (free) but it seems buggy and often crashes making it a dubious task to watch a 20 minute clip. I'm considering quicktime pro since it supports all the media types that VLC supports and is native apple. again disregard the money issue.

thanks

Yes, VLC is a work in progress. Also, the VLC user expects the developers to provide all player functionality. You cannot add new functionality.

Stability issues aside, the jist of this question is somewhat akin to asking which is better, Adobe Acrobat Professional or Preview. VLC is multiformat media player, period. The fee paid for QuickTime Pro unlocks the QuickTime Player's media editing and format conversion functions. It does not add playable media formats. With the proper codecs installed, the free QuickTime Player will play darned near everything. If all you want to do is to play video, then paying the QuickTime Pro fee is a waste of money.

eXan · Mar 10, 2007, 11:05 AM

I have both QT Pro and VLC (0.8.6 now) and I absolutely hate VLC. I use it only to play wmv files.

VLC is very buggy. It doesnt stop/start at the same time as I press the Play button or the space bar. In VLC when you point to another part of the video in the progress bar, the picture stays at the last frame it played, but slowly, through heavy pixelating daws currect frames. The video starts later than audio when you start playing a movie (but a/v are in sync during playback). The conrol hud in the full-screen mode doesnt work as it should, sometimes it does, but not very often. It usually flickers along with the mouse cursor when you move the mouse, but when you stop the motion, it just says invisible instead of showing up. When openning a movie, an error wondow appears with a list of errors, so you have to clock "Dismiss" all the time. This also occurs when you scroll to another part of a movie with the progress bar.

I dont know if this happens only with wmv videos, but its the only format I'm using VLC for. Hope things get better when 1.0 version is released.

Millwood · Mar 10, 2007, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rokem

An HD video stutters in Quicktime at full screen but vlc has no issues.

I completely agree. I think VLC is generally better, but playing WMV material Quicktime is better (with flip4mac of course).

Fillado · 01:05 PM

DivX + Perian + A52 Codec + Flip4Mac makes Quicktime play everything i've ever thrown at it

iJawn108 · Mar 10, 2007, 03:04 PM

flip4mac and Perian and it plays just about everything :P

slicedbread · Mar 10, 2007, 04:49 PM

any idea how to get QT (+ plugins) to work with .mkv files? They are the only filetype I can't get working in QT, and have to resort to MKV for them.

I have flip4mac and perian installed...

But for the OP, use QT for everything that it can with plugins, and keep VLC for the rare filetypes that dont work with QT.

yudilks · Mar 11, 2007, 01:55 AM

What codec should I install to play real media file in quicktime?

MisterMe · Mar 11, 2007, 01:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slicedbread

any idea how to get QT (+ plugins) to work with .mkv files? They are the only filetype I can't get working in QT, and have to resort to MKV for them.

...

It is amazing what a Google search will reveal.

CaptainHaddock · Mar 11, 2007, 03:13 AM

I agree with those who say VLC is too buggy. It has some issues that always interfere with enjoyable video watching. I keep it around for specialized uses (out-of-region DVDs, unusual video formats) and use Quicktime Pro or Front Row whenever possible.

shidoshi · Mar 12, 2007, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slicedbread

any idea how to get QT (+ plugins) to work with .mkv files? They are the only filetype I can't get working in QT, and have to resort to MKV for them.

I have flip4mac and perian installed...

Get ahold of the nightly builds of Perian - they play far more than the current public build, including MKV containers, subtitle files, High Profile h.264, and more.

Personally, I can't stand VLC. And now that Flip4Mac + nightly build Perian plays pretty much everything I want to play in QuickTime Player, I have almost no reason to even bother with the app.

vniow · Mar 12, 2007, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shidoshi

Get ahold of the nightly builds of Perian - they play far more than the current public build, including MKV containers, subtitle files, High Profile h.264, and more.

Where does one get these nightlies?

shidoshi · Mar 12, 2007, 05:03 PM

From a friend who knows how to get and build them, like I do. *laughs* Unfortunately, I don't know much more than that. I'd say poke around the Perian website and find the source code downloads.

Mar 9, 2007, 07:52 PM	#1
Steve Jobless macrumors 6502 Join Date: May 2006	Quicktime Pro vs. VLC Player? Disregard money. Right now I have the option of which to keep. I like VLC (free) but it seems buggy and often crashes making it a dubious task to watch a 20 minute clip. I'm considering quicktime pro since it supports all the media types that VLC supports and is native apple. again disregard the money issue. thanks

Mar 9, 2007, 07:59 PM	#2
vniow macrumors 603 Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: I accidentally my whole location.	Why not just keep both? VLC is good for some things, QT is better for others. Could also try Mplayer for ***** and giggles. http://www.versiontracker.com/dyn/moreinfo/macos/27163 Last edited by vniow : Mar 9, 2007 at 09:26 PM. Reason: oops. wrong mplayer

Mar 9, 2007, 10:10 PM	#6
M@lew macrumors 68000 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Melbourne, Australia	I reckon Quicktime Pro with all it's plug-ins does a pretty good job of playing video's for me. __________________ My Blog Flickr Photo Blog

Mar 9, 2007, 11:41 PM	#8
The Stig macrumors 6502a Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: On the track	I like QT Pro. It is simple and it looks great. I have VLC but I only use it when QT doesn't play something, which doesn't happen a lot after all the QT plug ins. The Stig __________________ "Steve Jobs invented the world, and then the rest of us came along" - Bill Gates YEAH!! Canadian iPhone!!

Mar 10, 2007, 09:19 AM	#9
clevin macrumors 601 Join Date: Aug 2006	VLC only takes 41.4mb on disk, are you in a situation to save that much space? __________________ New features of Firefox 3! Pt 1 & 2. Pt 3, Pt 4, Pt 5 Firefox Extensions Recommendations

Mar 9, 2007, 08:02 PM	#3
Fearless Leader macrumors 68020 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Wonderland	VLC seems to do a better job. An HD video stutters in Quicktime at full screen but vlc has no issues. These videos have a flash layer on top so you can click web addresses and stuff, but vlc ignores it.

Mar 9, 2007, 08:52 PM	#5
PkennethV macrumors 6502a Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Toronto	I personally use Quicktime Pro whenever possible. I just throw anything it can't play into VLC. If you will also be converting/exporting a lot of videos then Quicktime Pro can export to an awfull lot of formats. Quicktime just feels a little more complete and intergrated to me.

Mar 10, 2007, 11:05 AM	#12
eXan macrumors 68040 Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Near Korea, Japan and China.	I have both QT Pro and VLC (0.8.6 now) and I absolutely hate VLC. I use it only to play wmv files. VLC is very buggy. It doesnt stop/start at the same time as I press the Play button or the space bar. In VLC when you point to another part of the video in the progress bar, the picture stays at the last frame it played, but slowly, through heavy pixelating daws currect frames. The video starts later than audio when you start playing a movie (but a/v are in sync during playback). The conrol hud in the full-screen mode doesnt work as it should, sometimes it does, but not very often. It usually flickers along with the mouse cursor when you move the mouse, but when you stop the motion, it just says invisible instead of showing up. When openning a movie, an error wondow appears with a list of errors, so you have to clock "Dismiss" all the time. This also occurs when you scroll to another part of a movie with the progress bar. I dont know if this happens only with wmv videos, but its the only format I'm using VLC for. Hope things get better when 1.0 version is released. __________________ My Web-Site 20" iMac alu 2 GHz \| 4 GB \| 250 GB \| Radeon 2400 XT 15" MacBook Pro classic 2.4 GHz \| 4 GB \| 250 GB \| GeForce 8600m GT

Mar 10, 2007, 01:00 PM	#14
Fillado Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006	DivX + Perian + A52 Codec + Flip4Mac makes Quicktime play everything i've ever thrown at it Last edited by Fillado : Mar 10, 2007 at 01:05 PM.

Mar 10, 2007, 03:04 PM	#15
iJawn108 macrumors 65816 Join Date: Apr 2006	flip4mac and Perian and it plays just about everything :P __________________ Black MacBook \| Core Duo 2 GHz \| 2 GB Ram \| 320 GB HDD \| OS X Snow Leopard 10.6 - iPod Touch \| 16 GB Camino OpenSolaris

Mar 10, 2007, 04:49 PM	#16
slicedbread macrumors regular Join Date: Nov 2006	any idea how to get QT (+ plugins) to work with .mkv files? They are the only filetype I can't get working in QT, and have to resort to MKV for them. I have flip4mac and perian installed... But for the OP, use QT for everything that it can with plugins, and keep VLC for the rare filetypes that dont work with QT.

Mar 11, 2007, 01:55 AM	#17
yudilks macrumors regular Join Date: Jan 2006	What codec should I install to play real media file in quicktime?

Mar 11, 2007, 03:13 AM	#19
CaptainHaddock macrumors 6502 Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Nagoya, Japan	I agree with those who say VLC is too buggy. It has some issues that always interfere with enjoyable video watching. I keep it around for specialized uses (out-of-region DVDs, unusual video formats) and use Quicktime Pro or Front Row whenever possible. __________________ Japanese for Life View my Flickr photos!

Mar 12, 2007, 05:03 PM	#22
shidoshi macrumors regular Join Date: Jun 2004	From a friend who knows how to get and build them, like I do. laughs Unfortunately, I don't know much more than that. I'd say poke around the Perian website and find the source code downloads.

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