Converting old .MOV files to something readable in 2024

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Level 1

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Converting old .MOV files to something readable in 2024

I'm transferring photos/videos from my very old 2011 Macbook (OS 10.6.8 Snow Leopard) to a new external hard drive for storage. The QuickTime videos (.MOV) aren't supported by my new(er) Macbook (OS 13.6.3 Ventura).

Any suggestions on how to convert them on the old laptop so they can be read on the new one? The only options to save in another format are iPhone, iPod, Apple Tv, 480p or 720p. Exporting is limited to iTunes, MobileMe Gallery or YouTube. I saw an old comment in the Community that suggested Handbrake, but the app requires an OS of 10.13 (High Sierra) or later. I'm not opposed to trying to "update" to High Sierra and then trying an app, but wanted to see if anyone had a better idea. TIA.

Posted on Feb 28, 2024 5:02 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Matti Haveri

Level 6

16,673 points

Feb 28, 2024 10:44 PM in response to pawsinca

IINA is a nice app that plays almost anything including codecs and wrappers that newer QuickTime Player does not.

https://iina.io/

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Answer 2

pawsinca Author

Level 1

10 points

Feb 28, 2024 6:17 PM in response to BrotherEye

Hi BrotherEye -

First: Thanks for the quick reply. Second: WOW!! I downloaded Elmedia's VLC on my current laptop and it played my iMovie test file. I had to drag and drop it into the app, but it worked! I'm so happy that this was a simple solution!

In your opinion, is it worth me trying to set the VLC as the default media player? It'd be nice to have any video play automatically. On the flip side, I think most of the old videos that I'll be transferring are MPEG files which play fine on my current Macbook. So if it's not worth the hassle of changing the default, I'm happy with this.

Thanks again!!

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Answer 3

Feb 28, 2024 5:33 PM in response to pawsinca

Hello Pawsinca,

Regarding your .MOV files, I'd like to clarify a few points:

The .MOV file format is still very much compatible with modern Macs, including macOS 13.6.3 Ventura. However, the issue might be with the specific video codecs used in your old .MOV files. Modern macOS versions may not support some outdated codecs, which could be why your videos aren't playing.

You mentioned considering an update to macOS High Sierra, but actually, macOS Ventura is a newer version than High Sierra. So, your current system is more up-to-date.

You could use batch conversion software like Compressor, which is designed for macOS, to convert your movies. This would allow you to handle multiple files at once, saving time and effort. Compressor has a free trial that might get you through your task.

Final Cut Pro for Mac - Compressor - Apple

Before converting, you might want to try playing the .MOV files with VLC Media Player on your newer MacBook. VLC supports a wide range of codecs and might be able to play your videos without needing conversion.

If conversion is necessary, I recommend converting to a format like .MP4 with the H.264 codec, which is widely supported and offers a good balance of quality and file size.

Remember, always keep a backup of your original files before starting any conversion process, just in case something goes wrong.

Regards.

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Answer 4

Feb 28, 2024 11:29 PM in response to pawsinca

I downloaded Elmedia's VLC on my current laptop

Elmedia’s video player is not VLC.

VLC media player: www.videolan.org/vlc

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Answer 5

Feb 28, 2024 7:05 PM in response to pawsinca

Absolutely, it's my pleasure to assist you. When it comes to setting the default video player, it really boils down to what suits your needs best. Personally, I tend to stick with the default apps provided by the OS for video playback. However, setting VLC as your default player for .MOV files is a perfectly viable option. VLC is a well-established and widely respected media player with a strong history of support and updates. It's reassuring to know that it's likely to continue being supported in the future. I'm thrilled to hear that the solution worked seamlessly for you. If you have any more questions or need further assistance, feel free to reach out!

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Converting old .MOV files to something readable in 2024

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