QuickTime Player v QuickTime 7 v QuickTime Pro

Yes, Perian works with 'all three'.

Mac OS X 10.6 includes QuickTime versions 10.0 and 7.6.3. The QuickTime 7 player will only be present if a QuickTime Pro key was present at the time of installation, or if specified as part of a custom install, or individually downloaded.

http://support.apple.com/kb/dl923

Snow Leopard update 10.6.4 included an update to 7.6.6 (if installed). You can install it from the above link even though it says for 10.6.3. It's the same version of QuickTime Player 7.6.6.

Only QuickTime Player 7.6.3 or 7.6.6 can be updated to "Pro".

QuickTime X is only found on Mac's that run the Snow Leopard OS (10.6).
No Windows version. Not supported on older Mac OS's.

Can someone describe the differences?

QuickTime is a framework structure now embedded in the current OS. The QT X Player, QT 7 Player, QT 7 Pro, iTunes, iMovie, FCE, FCP, GarageBand, etc. are all GUIs/Apps/utilites that access various routines contained in this structure. As to a QT file, it is, generally speaking, any compatible compression format(s) placed in the generic MOV file container. To be QT playback compatible with any end user's system, the end user's system must be configured with the same components as were used to create the original file.

Only QuickTime Player 7.6.3 or 7.6.6 can be updated to "Pro".
Hi Klaus,
My quicktime player 10.0 has such a bad image quality that I just thought I upgrade to QT Pro. When I got QT pro I realised that it is only for QT 7. So another purchase for nothing due to frustration with bad image. When I open a clip with Compressor the image is clear & sharp whereas with Quicktime 10 it's simply too bad to watch. Any settings I can play around with ?
regards H

I'm confused. Why do you not just install QuickTime Player 7, as per the instructions in Klaus's post, register your Pro key there, and use that version of QT Player?

Please understand, though, that the purchase of a Pro key adds nothing to the formats QuickTime can play nor the image quality. All a Pro key does is unlock the editing and export features of QuickTime 7 Player.

As to whether there's anything that can be done to improve the playback quality in QuickTime Player X, without knowing details about the movie format, it's difficult to say. I'd suggest you start a new topic with your question and those details and perhaps someone can help.

Regards.

Hi again,
for what it's worth I installed QT 7 for mac & typed in the pro licence key & presto, lovely clear image.
When I put QT 10 & QT 7 side by side there just isn't any comparison, QT 7 is simply miles ahead in Image quality.
cheers all
H