Video file doesn't play correctly on Macbook Air M1

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Level 1

4 points

Video file doesn't play correctly on Macbook Air M1

When I export a video file from Davinci Resolve 16 using the H.264 Master profile, it plays fine on my late 2013 Macbook Pro, but if I send it to two other people who each have new Macbook Air M1, it won't play properly - the audio plays ok, but the video frame only updates about once a second. Also, the file causes iMovie to crash on the M1 (it's fine on my old Macbook).

Here's a 20s test clip to demonstrate the problem:

****

(made using a free stock clip from: https://www.pexels.com/video/people-walking-on-street-853830/)

If it didn't play just fine on Intel Macs I'd blame Davinci Resolve...

Thanks,

Rob.

[Link Edited by Moderator]

Posted on Feb 22, 2021 12:33 PM

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Answer 1

VikingOSX

Level 10

125,686 points

Feb 22, 2021 2:32 PM in response to DrRobNoble

Have just one of those users with the M1 Macs download and install the free arm64 version of VideoLAN's VLC media player. There may be issues with the DaVinci Resolve's video format with an M1 compatible version of iMovie, and if VLC plays the content, you will be closer to the truth. Then check at the DaVinci Resolve site to see if they had to issue a software update for that iMovie compatibility factor.

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Answer 2

DrRobNoble Author

Level 1

4 points

Feb 23, 2021 9:51 AM in response to VikingOSX

I asked the other person to try that and VLC plays the file just fine. So it looks like the codec built into macOS (which QuickTime Player and iMovie will be using) is faulty...?

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Answer 3

DrRobNoble Author

Level 1

4 points

Feb 24, 2021 11:46 PM in response to VikingOSX

I disagree. It's the responsibility of both Davinci Resolve and Apple to adhere to the H.264 standard and the fact that a great many devices (including Intel-based Macs) can play the files produced by DR suggests that the M1 Macbook is at fault here. Expecting DR to work around any fault or quirk of every playback device is unreasonable.

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Answer 4

VikingOSX

Level 10

125,686 points

Feb 25, 2021 11:46 AM in response to DrRobNoble

It will either get resolved or it won't. If there is an issue on Apple's side, then they already know about it, and a future macOS and/or iMovie update may resolve the playback issue. Sometimes, vendors communicate flaws that Apple agrees must be resolved, and then it is a waiting game until the next Apple release cycle occurs.

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Answer 5

VikingOSX

Level 10

125,686 points

Feb 24, 2021 3:51 PM in response to DrRobNoble

Faulty perhaps, but it is the responsibility of DaVinci Resolve to ensure that their exported videos are compatible with the current iMovie codec, or state otherwise.

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Video file doesn't play correctly on Macbook Air M1

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