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Level 1

36 points

MOV files won't play on Windows computers

I have a number of MOV files (shot in full 1080 resolution) that won't play on a Windows PC. When I attempt to open them I get a warning stating that Quicktime may need extra files (or plugins?) in order to play the file. When I select the link it takes me to a page with all sorts of other providers such as DivX. With that said, what is the best format to enable smooth playback on a Windows machine?

MacPro (Tower), Mac OS X (10.6.2), Final Cut Studio

Posted on Jan 10, 2010 3:26 PM

17 replies

Studio X

Level 7

27,229 points

Jan 11, 2010 8:50 AM in response to Andy Drefs

Yes, you will lose resolution. The only way you won't, is to export something using the exact same settings as the original material. And that won't work on the web.

H.264 does a good job but, like all things involving compression, is a bit of a dark art. If the material is headed to the web, you are dealing with three things - image size, data rate and image quality - with data rate the most restrictive. Only you can find the balance between the three that works for your clients.

x

h4rdy

Level 1

1 points

Jan 11, 2010 11:42 PM in response to Andy Drefs

I am still a little shocked that nobody has made an ICOD codec for windows. Maybe in the future?

MOV files won't play on Windows computers