So what can be done about unsupported items? Does one have to buy something or revert to the seemingly more versatile and user friendly PC?

I seem to have an inordinate amount of trouble using video on the Apple Mac and it is all down to Quick Time Player which seems to want to be the default programme for these things but because of codec absences and format limitations fails to be able to do so. Can anyone recommend a programme which will perform the simple task of running MPG format video derived from a Sony Handycam DCR SR35. Grateful of any help on this.