quicktime wont play .avi files.

mhiero · Mar 24, 2007, 10:48 AM

i downloaded a few TV shows in .AVI format, and when I try to play them in quicktime on my iMac it says I need to download the divx codec. these shows play fine in Divx but still wont play in Quicktime. is there any way I can get them to play in quicktime?

epochblue · Mar 24, 2007, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mhiero

i downloaded a few TV shows in .AVI format, and when I try to play them in quicktime on my iMac it says I need to download the divx codec. these shows play fine in Divx but still wont play in Quicktime. is there any way I can get them to play in quicktime?

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

numediaman · Mar 24, 2007, 11:01 AM

Check your QuickTime library (Library > QuickTime). If you don't have the DivX component in there QuickTime will not be enabled.

mhiero · Mar 24, 2007, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by numediaman

Check your QuickTime library (Library > QuickTime). If you don't have the DivX component in there QuickTime will not be enabled.

It's in there but when I click teh file, and quicktime opens up, it just displays a white screen w/ no sound. it will play but it will be blank and soundless.

numediaman · Mar 24, 2007, 11:24 AM

Do you have MPEGStreamclip? If not, get it (free). Along with QTPro its my most valuable software. It will play and convert everything.

Unfortunately, there a lot of "components" that are somethings necessary for QT to play back everything appropriately. Also, not all AVIs are the same, they come in different flavors. So you may have to add more than one component.

mhiero · Mar 24, 2007, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by numediaman

Do you have MPEGStreamclip? If not, get it (free). Along with QTPro its my most valuable software. It will play and convert everything.

Unfortunately, there a lot of "components" that are somethings necessary for QT to play back everything appropriately. Also, not all AVIs are the same, they come in different flavors. So you may have to add more than one component.

so how do I know which codec I need to play each different type of AVI?

mhiero · Mar 24, 2007, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by numediaman

Do you have MPEGStreamclip? If not, get it (free). Along with QTPro its my most valuable software. It will play and convert everything.

Unfortunately, there a lot of "components" that are somethings necessary for QT to play back everything appropriately. Also, not all AVIs are the same, they come in different flavors. So you may have to add more than one component.

i wanna play it in QT. it will play in Divx fine.

numediaman · Mar 24, 2007, 11:34 AM

Damn good question. I guess you know you've got them all when you no longer have problems.

This is why I hate AVIs and other silly files like oggs, rars, etc. Why not just use ZIP and MP3 and AIFF (or FLAC) -- in other words, use some sort of standardization. Oh well, to each his own.

I looked in my Library and found the following:
3ivx D4
AppleIntermediateCodec
Divx 5
Flip4Mac (from Microsoft -- lets QT play windows media files)
oggImport
Save as AVI
Theora (have no idea what this is)
Xvid Codec

These seem to be all I need. If you are missing any you should be able to search for them via Google.

Of course, I also have QTPro instead of the regular free QT -- though I don't know if this matters.

mhiero · Mar 24, 2007, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by numediaman

Damn good question. I guess you know you've got them all when you no longer have problems.

This is why I hate AVIs and other silly files like oggs, rars, etc. Why not just use ZIP and MP3 and AIFF (or FLAC) -- in other words, use some sort of standardization. Oh well, to each his own.

I looked in my Library and found the following:
3ivx D4
AppleIntermediateCodec
Divx 5
Flip4Mac (from Microsoft -- lets QT play windows media files)
oggImport
Save as AVI
Theora (have no idea what this is)
Xvid Codec

These seem to be all I need. If you are missing any you should be able to search for them via Google.

Of course, I also have QTPro instead of the regular free QT -- though I don't know if this matters.

whered u get teh xvid codec? i googled it n DLed from the 1st site that popped up, but its like some word file

epochblue · Mar 24, 2007, 11:44 AM

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.

mhiero · Mar 24, 2007, 11:46 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.

I installed it, it still doesn't work. You just drag the perian component file into the QT folder in your library right?

thanks for the help though.

siurpeeman · Mar 24, 2007, 12:02 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.

i second this. perian is the only thing i've ever needed to play avi files directly in quicktime.

mhiero · Mar 24, 2007, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by siurpeeman

i second this. perian is the only thing i've ever needed to play avi files directly in quicktime.

hmmmm, it wont work for me, perhaps I installed it wrong? Do you have QT pro? I downloaded it, double clicked the.dmg and dragged the perian.component file into the quick time folder in my library in my HDD

mhiero · Mar 24, 2007, 12:37 PM

problem solved. I downloaded the 3ivx component and the vids play liek a charm

Yuvi · Mar 24, 2007, 03:15 PM

If Perian didn't work for your AVIs, any chance you could send us a sample file that doesn't work? We're always looking to support more where possible.

PNW · 11:24 PM

Well I'm in that same boat. I have most of my DVD collection ripped into either divx or xvid in an .avi container. I used DVD-Rip on my linux box (GUI front end for transcode). The files all play fine in VLC but won't in Quicktime just gives a light grey screen and no sound. I've installed Perian, filp4mac, and Divx player and the files only play in VLC. I wouldn't care but this is a mini I picked up to replace the old P3 Dell I've been using as a MythTV box and I'd really like to play / manage the movies in Front Row. I'm happy to provide any more details about the file if it will help you but since they're 4+ GB and copyrighted I'm not going to post them.

Any help on where to go when Perian doesn't work would be greatly appreciated.

Other options:
Can Front Row be reconfigured to use VLC instead of Quick Time (After all, it seems to be more in line with Apple's "things just work on a Mac" mantra)?
In the event I have to rerun transcode on the VOB short of .mov (not supported by transcode) what is the preferred format for QT?

thanks for any tips/help

Corrosive vinyl · Jun 15, 2007, 10:51 AM

VLC is great, if I can't get something to run in quicktime, it will work in VLC, guaranteed! i think i will look up this xvid codec also.

installingcats · Jun 20, 2008, 07:52 AM

Detailed instructions on how to play avi files in Quicktime.

Simply installing VLC is not the best solution as Front Row won't be able to play the AVI files (encoded with divx) even if VLC can.

mpkh · 03:50 AM

Hi

I am a little late to this, but have just spent a very frustrating 2 hours trying EVERYthing suggested by the other posts - however you might also like to try:

In Quicktime, open an avi file & then on the "window" menu, select "movie inspector" & check what the audio output is.

In my instance the audio output on the files was 48,000 BUT my audio output was set at 44100

Once I realised that, I fixed it by doing the following:

1. Open Audio MIDI Setup (/Applications/Utilities/), then check the Audio Output setting.

2. Change the Audio Output setting to 48000.0 Hz.

3. Quit Audio MIDI Setup.

All avi files now working with audio & video!!

Hope this helps

harley3k · Dec 2, 2008, 01:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yuvi

If Perian didn't work for your AVIs, any chance you could send us a sample file that doesn't work? We're always looking to support more where possible.

I had the same issue - and Perian seemed to not work right away.
The trick was actually quitting out of Quicktime then relaunching it.

G-Com · Dec 2, 2008, 02:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Corrosive vinyl

VLC is great, if I can't get something to run in quicktime, it will work in VLC, guaranteed! i think i will look up this xvid codec also.

VLC rules.

annemac · Dec 8, 2008, 06:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yuvi

If Perian didn't work for your AVIs, any chance you could send us a sample file that doesn't work? We're always looking to support more where possible.

Yuvi do you work on Perian? I have files that won't play in QT or VLC (with Perian installed). Where should I send them?

comictimes · Dec 8, 2008, 07:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mhiero

hmmmm, it wont work for me, perhaps I installed it wrong? Do you have QT pro? I downloaded it, double clicked the.dmg and dragged the perian.component file into the quick time folder in my library in my HDD

I just double clicked the "Perian.prefpane" file and it worked instantly for me... there wasn't even a .component file in the thing I downloaded

edit: ...and I just realized how old this thread is. Oops. In any case, I'm likin the Perian thing

mac68 · Dec 21, 2009, 07:09 AM

Hi, found this great thread, and I have exactly the same problem.

Have tried all the solutions, but can not get any sound in my .AVI films in QT.

I have QT Pro 7.6.5 as well as QT 10.

The films play WITH sound in my VLC player but want them to work in QT as well so I can watch them is sound via my Apple TV.

I run the latest Mac software, versions etc. I have installed Perian as well as 3ivx (have a 30 day trial version that is still in the trial period so should work).

What is further getting on my nerves is that my mother in law has the same MacBook Pro as me with the same programs and she GETS the sound in her QT Pro 7.6.4.

I have checked her settings and downloads and can not find any differences (even copied her QT to my MacBook in case there was an error with mine)...

ANY help or advise highly appreciated.

Merry x-mas,
Kenneth

<a href="http://www.understandhairloss.org/" >hair loss review</a> and <a href="http://www.understandhairloss.org/hair-loss-treatment.html" >hair loss treatments</a>

addythebat · Dec 23, 2009, 05:06 AM

I downloaded and installed Perian to no avail. I've tried multiple files and I've removed and reinstalled twice, still with no effect. Am I daft?

Mar 24, 2007, 10:48 AM	#1
mhiero macrumors member Join Date: Mar 2007	quicktime wont play .avi files. i downloaded a few TV shows in .AVI format, and when I try to play them in quicktime on my iMac it says I need to download the divx codec. these shows play fine in Divx but still wont play in Quicktime. is there any way I can get them to play in quicktime?
	0

Mar 24, 2007, 11:44 AM	#10
epochblue macrumors 68000 Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Nashville, TN	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. __________________ -- epochblue rolls with a 20" Rev. D Intel iMac, a 15" Rev. C PowerBook, an 80GB iPod classic, 2G shuffle, and a 4GB iPhone.
	0

Jun 14, 2007, 11:17 PM	#16
PNW macrumors regular Join Date: Feb 2007	Well I'm in that same boat. I have most of my DVD collection ripped into either divx or xvid in an .avi container. I used DVD-Rip on my linux box (GUI front end for transcode). The files all play fine in VLC but won't in Quicktime just gives a light grey screen and no sound. I've installed Perian, filp4mac, and Divx player and the files only play in VLC. I wouldn't care but this is a mini I picked up to replace the old P3 Dell I've been using as a MythTV box and I'd really like to play / manage the movies in Front Row. I'm happy to provide any more details about the file if it will help you but since they're 4+ GB and copyrighted I'm not going to post them. Any help on where to go when Perian doesn't work would be greatly appreciated. Other options: Can Front Row be reconfigured to use VLC instead of Quick Time (After all, it seems to be more in line with Apple's "things just work on a Mac" mantra)? In the event I have to rerun transcode on the VOB short of .mov (not supported by transcode) what is the preferred format for QT? thanks for any tips/help Last edited by PNW; Jun 14, 2007 at 11:24 PM. Reason: oh and one more thing
	0

Jun 15, 2007, 10:51 AM	#17
Corrosive vinyl macrumors 6502 Join Date: Sep 2006	VLC is great, if I can't get something to run in quicktime, it will work in VLC, guaranteed! i think i will look up this xvid codec also. __________________ "Technological progress is like an axe in the hands of a pathological criminal." "Nationalism is an infantile disease. It is the measles of mankind. " -Einstein
	0

Jun 20, 2008, 07:52 AM	#18
installingcats macrumors newbie Join Date: May 2008 Location: near Paris, FR	Avi Mac Quicktime Detailed instructions on how to play avi files in Quicktime. Simply installing VLC is not the best solution as Front Row won't be able to play the AVI files (encoded with divx) even if VLC can.
	0

Mar 24, 2007, 11:01 AM	#3
numediaman Banned Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Chicago (by way of SF)	Check your QuickTime library (Library > QuickTime). If you don't have the DivX component in there QuickTime will not be enabled.
	0

Mar 24, 2007, 11:24 AM	#5
numediaman Banned Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Chicago (by way of SF)	Do you have MPEGStreamclip? If not, get it (free). Along with QTPro its my most valuable software. It will play and convert everything. Unfortunately, there a lot of "components" that are somethings necessary for QT to play back everything appropriately. Also, not all AVIs are the same, they come in different flavors. So you may have to add more than one component.
	0

Mar 24, 2007, 11:34 AM	#8
numediaman Banned Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Chicago (by way of SF)	Damn good question. I guess you know you've got them all when you no longer have problems. This is why I hate AVIs and other silly files like oggs, rars, etc. Why not just use ZIP and MP3 and AIFF (or FLAC) -- in other words, use some sort of standardization. Oh well, to each his own. I looked in my Library and found the following: 3ivx D4 AppleIntermediateCodec Divx 5 Flip4Mac (from Microsoft -- lets QT play windows media files) oggImport Save as AVI Theora (have no idea what this is) Xvid Codec These seem to be all I need. If you are missing any you should be able to search for them via Google. Of course, I also have QTPro instead of the regular free QT -- though I don't know if this matters.
	0

Mar 24, 2007, 12:37 PM	#14
mhiero Thread Starter macrumors member Join Date: Mar 2007	problem solved. I downloaded the 3ivx component and the vids play liek a charm
	0

Mar 24, 2007, 03:15 PM	#15
Yuvi macrumors member Join Date: Jun 2006	If Perian didn't work for your AVIs, any chance you could send us a sample file that doesn't work? We're always looking to support more where possible.
	0

Jul 14, 2008, 03:48 AM	#19
mpkh macrumors newbie Join Date: Jul 2008	Amend Audio Midi Hi I am a little late to this, but have just spent a very frustrating 2 hours trying EVERYthing suggested by the other posts - however you might also like to try: In Quicktime, open an avi file & then on the "window" menu, select "movie inspector" & check what the audio output is. In my instance the audio output on the files was 48,000 BUT my audio output was set at 44100 Once I realised that, I fixed it by doing the following: 1. Open Audio MIDI Setup (/Applications/Utilities/), then check the Audio Output setting. 2. Change the Audio Output setting to 48000.0 Hz. 3. Quit Audio MIDI Setup. All avi files now working with audio & video!! Hope this helps Last edited by mpkh; Jul 14, 2008 at 03:50 AM. Reason: added extra
	0

Dec 21, 2009, 07:09 AM	#24
mac68 macrumors newbie Join Date: Dec 2009	Same problem... Solutions don't work Hi, found this great thread, and I have exactly the same problem. Have tried all the solutions, but can not get any sound in my .AVI films in QT. I have QT Pro 7.6.5 as well as QT 10. The films play WITH sound in my VLC player but want them to work in QT as well so I can watch them is sound via my Apple TV. I run the latest Mac software, versions etc. I have installed Perian as well as 3ivx (have a 30 day trial version that is still in the trial period so should work). What is further getting on my nerves is that my mother in law has the same MacBook Pro as me with the same programs and she GETS the sound in her QT Pro 7.6.4. I have checked her settings and downloads and can not find any differences (even copied her QT to my MacBook in case there was an error with mine)... ANY help or advise highly appreciated. Merry x-mas, Kenneth <a href="http://www.understandhairloss.org/" >hair loss review</a> and <a href="http://www.understandhairloss.org/hair-loss-treatment.html" >hair loss treatments</a>
	0

Dec 23, 2009, 05:06 AM	#25
addythebat macrumors newbie Join Date: Dec 2009	I downloaded and installed Perian to no avail. I've tried multiple files and I've removed and reinstalled twice, still with no effect. Am I daft?
	0

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