HT201290: If QuickTime Player can't open an audio or video file

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youngd1977
Level 1 (0 points)

Q: I have just loaded a .mov file onto my imac and cant get it to play - do I need to convert it?

I have just loaded a .mov file onto my imac and cant get it to play either in Itunes or quicktime - do I need to convert it to another format?

iMac (17-inch Flat Panel), Mac OS X (10.7.3)

Posted on Jul 4, 2013 8:26 AM

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youngd1977

Q: I have just loaded a .mov file onto my imac and cant get it to play - do I need to convert it?

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  • by babowa,

    babowa babowa Jul 4, 2013 10:52 AM in response to youngd1977
    Level 7 (32,357 points)
    iPad
    Jul 4, 2013 10:52 AM in response to youngd1977

    Can you be a bit more specific please:

     

    where did the file come from (homemade DVD, commercial DVD, camera, camcorder)?

     

    Your machine is not the quite old 17" flat panel as it would not run OS 10.7.x - so please update your model and confirm which OS version you are running.

  • by youngd1977,

    youngd1977 youngd1977 Jul 4, 2013 11:24 AM in response to babowa
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jul 4, 2013 11:24 AM in response to babowa

    I had a VHS tape that I had an outside firm convert into a .mov file with size about 5 gigs; orginally they said they were going to convert it into a DV file but when I received it, the format was .mov; in any event, I have not been able to play this file or import it either into Itunes/movies or videos or Imovie.  The error message I receive is that Quicktime can not play this file in its current format and that I may need some additional software to make it playable.  Is there there some other conversion or software I need to make this file playable on my Imac and then I want to sync it with my ipad so I can play it off the ipad.

     

    Thanks.

     

    Jim

  • by youngd1977,

    youngd1977 youngd1977 Jul 4, 2013 11:26 AM in response to youngd1977
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jul 4, 2013 11:26 AM in response to youngd1977

    Also I am using the Mac 10.6.8 operating system.

  • by babowa,

    babowa babowa Jul 4, 2013 2:46 PM in response to youngd1977
    Level 7 (32,357 points)
    iPad
    Jul 4, 2013 2:46 PM in response to youngd1977

    Okay, I'd try either MPEG Streamclip (you may or may not need the MPEG 2 Playback Component from Apple - see the Streamclip website for info) or HandBrake. You should be able to play it either and convert it to a Quicktime/iMovie readable format with them.

     

    As for syncing it with the iPad, I can't help with that, but if you get it into iTunes, then it should be easy to do.