QuickTime not playing .mov files

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Level 1

12 points

QuickTime not playing .mov files

Now, this problem seems fairly wierd, since .mov files are QUICKTIME MOVIES, and QuickTime refuses to play them. I converted a video to .mov filetype via MPEG Streamclip, and after the conversion was finished, I tried to play the video in QuickTime. This is the pop-up window message I get when I double-click on the movie:

"The document “MOV002.mov” could not be opened. A required codec isn't available. To see if additional software is available that will enable QuickTime Player to open the movie, click Tell Me More."

I went to the QuickTime Help page, and it says QuickTime should support .mov files; but QuickTime on my computer doesn't. Anyone have any suggestions?

Also, I am running Mac OS X 10.7.2 Lion, if that helps.

Posted on Nov 6, 2011 1:06 PM

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Answer 1

Nov 6, 2011 1:14 PM in response to STERLINGJS

What settings did you use in MPEG Streamclip?

Any .mov file is just a "container" that holds codecs. If you've used one that isn't part of the standard QuickTime install you'll get a message like the one you're seeing now.

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Answer 2

STERLINGJS Author

Level 1

12 points

Nov 6, 2011 1:35 PM in response to QuickTimeKirk

When I converted it. I selected "Export to QuickTime..." and the only thing I changed from default settings was the video quality: from the standard setting to 1920 x 1080 1080i HD quality. I have done this before, with the exact same settings, and the videos have always played fine in QuickTime. This is my first time doing it with Lion though, whuch leads me to believe that the Lion update has something to do with my problems.

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Answer 3

Nov 6, 2011 1:45 PM in response to STERLINGJS

What was the source format that you started with in MPEG Streamclip?

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Answer 4

STERLINGJS Author

Level 1

12 points

Nov 6, 2011 1:58 PM in response to QuickTimeKirk

The original files were .tod files.

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Answer 5

Nov 6, 2011 2:05 PM in response to STERLINGJS

No. I think they were .mod files, instead. They are really MPEG-2 format.

I suggest you go back to MPEG Streamclip with the source files and export using the H.264 video codec and AAC audio.

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Answer 6

STERLINGJS Author

Level 1

12 points

Nov 6, 2011 2:20 PM in response to QuickTimeKirk

On the camera and after the transfer from camera to computer the files ended in .tod, as they always have. I had originally exported them into H.264, but the video quality was fairly shotty compared to what I typically get when exporting to .mov, and I really need the better quality. My biggest question is really why QuickTime will not play the converted .mov files now when it used to. What's the deal with it?

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Answer 7

Jon Walker

Level 6

19,489 points

Nov 6, 2011 5:56 PM in response to STERLINGJS

On the camera and after the transfer from camera to computer the files ended in .tod, as they always have. I had originally exported them into H.264, but the video quality was fairly shotty compared to what I typically get when exporting to .mov, and I really need the better quality. My biggest question is really why QuickTime will not play the converted .mov files now when it used to. What's the deal with it?

You say you are exporting to MOV. However, as QTKirk previously pointed out, MOV is a file format and not a compression format. So we still have no idea what video format you are converting to when you select the "Export to QuickTime" option. If you are using the default MPEG Streamclip video compression format for this export option, then you are converting the TOD file video to the Motion JPEG A compression format. Although I do not have a problem using it, according to the Apple Web Site, Motion JPEG is supported by Snow Leopard but no longer natively supported by Lion.

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Answer 8

Jakko1

Level 1

0 points

Nov 7, 2011 11:23 AM in response to STERLINGJS

I'm no computer expert, far from it, and all I can offer is sympathy as since "upgrading" to Lion my MacBook Pro won't play .mov or .wmv files either, all I get is a black screen and the audio. It's so frustrating!! I've updated all the drivers I can and I've even reinstalled Lion, nothing makes a difference. Personally I believe there is a problem with Lion but from what I've found out from speaking to friends with other Apple kit, this might be a random issue only affecting some people as most have said they've had no problems while I've only found one friend who has had the same issue which re-installing Lion resolved for him.

You aren't alone with this issue and I suspect it will require some sort of update from Apple to fix.

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Answer 9

STERLINGJS Author

Level 1

12 points

Nov 7, 2011 2:46 PM in response to Jon Walker

Ah. I see what you are saying now. I have been exporting to "Apple Motion JPEG A" compression types all the time. You would say then that if I try changing the compression type the videos might just play? I have many .mov files, and most of them are in iPhoto, and they play in there just fine. I just noticed the problem with QuickTime now because I had fresh videos to convert.

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Answer 10

STERLINGJS Author

Level 1

12 points

Nov 7, 2011 2:48 PM in response to Jakko1

Hm. Your situation is curious. You were trying to play your files in QuickTime, I take it? That's where my problem is basically situated. The .mov files seem to play everywhere else; it's just playing them in QuickTime that has been giving me problems. It probably is a random Lion issue though.

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