how do I play .avi files on itunes

you can't import an avi or any other file except the apple formats into itunes.

you need to install perian and then create a reference file to the actual video using quicktime pro. the reference file will be a few kilobytes, and you can import that into itunes. when itunes plays the file, the reference file tells it where the avi file is and starts playing it. a bit convoluted but works well, especially if you want to use frontrow + itunes instead of just frontrow + movies folder.

iTunes can read various types of popular video formats. One popular format that it cannot read are video files with the .AVI file extension. In order to import and play files of this type they must be converted to a universally readable extension.

Related Reviews:

How to convert AVI to iPhone video library on PC

How to convert AVI videos to iPhone MP4 on Mac

I'm having some trouble embedding subtitles and converting the files into one single avi movie. I'm streaming the movies to my Xbox 360, so it has to be one single file, and avi (or MP4, i think that works too).

I've tried Handbrake, but i keep getting an error when i try to export to avi.

It'll only convert into .mov, and it takes forever to convert the .mov file into .avi.

Any suggestions? Thanks!

Well to be honest I don't like using handbrake. I mean it is great because it is universal (Mac & PC) but it doesn't have much to offer. Also, when I was setting it up and decided to stop the installation after watching a review of it, it froze my computer and restarted "Windows Explorer". Which was annoying... -.-

Just so it’s clear, Perian enables you to play .avi in Quicktime but I don’t think it extends to iTunes. Nothing enables .avi in iTunes.

No point converting. I use CineXPlayer to Ay drag and dropped avi files

You should be able to upload the movie to HandBrake then click “Toggle Presets” and then select your iPod Touch option under Devices. Be sure you then select MP4 file under Format. Then you can take it into iTunes and upload it to your iPod. Hopefully that’s all it takes.

Another vote for CineXplayer HD here. Was using VideoMonkey with good results for conversion but the sheer ease of use of dragging and dropping .avi & .mkv into the app (via itunes) saves so much time.

I used to be able to convert videos no problem for my iPhone, iPod touch and iPad. I always used Handbrake, but recently, no matter what I do, it crash the PC about 48% of the way in.

Hey, guy, you can probably use video converter to convert your avi video files to an iTunes file like mp4 or m4v, it is a nifty app that convert almost anything i throw at it, here is a guide about avi to mp4 on mac:

http://www.ilikemall.com/how-to/convert-avi-to-mp4-mac.html

Try it and hope it works well for you.🙂

Regards

Shane.

I like videora. Its free and easy to use

he Only Negative on Handbrake is that it does not encode the audio very loudly and there's no Normalizing option , so even full blast on the Ipad isn't very loud.

he Only Negative on Handbrake is that it does not encode the audio very loudly and there's no Normalizing option , so even full blast on the Ipad isn't very loud.

How much gain do you need? There is a built-in "Gain" control (-5 db to +15 db range) for HandBrake audio encoding which, of course, is disabled during pass-through operation. As to the iPad, if the internal speakers are not loud enough for you try a set of headphones or amplified add-on speakers. Both are available in a wide ragne of quality, sizes, and power options. I use full sized, non-amplified Bose headphones for personal listening and an AC powered Bose 2+1 Ch (stereo satellite + woofer) ampliefied seaker system when I want to "share" the sound when "on the road." And, since most of the files I sync to my iPad also include a secondary AC3 DD5.1 audio track, I can also "AirPlay" the content on supporting devices/platforms/home entertainment systems.

Hi folks, Mountain Lion seems to be even worse for playing .avi files. I can't even get quicktime to play my .avi files much less importing to Itunes. I think I need to fix the Quicktime issue before iTunes will even think about importing. I have tried VLC and Perian both of which don't seem to be supported under Mountain Lion. Should I have stayed at Snow Leopard? I just want to be able to import my .avi files to iTunes then synch to my phone but this is a two day journey so far troubleshooting and searching, what a mess.

i think to get android or surface , cause ios is too close .

it's simple to add this support , itunes suppor mp3 and convert this. why not avi ?

And why haven't we a mini hdmi, a micro sd card port and usb ? it's simple to add an finder on iOs

to read a sd card files.

And more, if you can add a mouse support , it'll be wonderful !