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

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B.Alexandra
Level 1 (0 points)

Q: trying to play a .mov file

I am trying to play a .mov file that I transferred to my macbook from my camera. I have tried itunes, quicktime and VLC and can not get it to play. I thought .mov was supported by quicktime, does it need to be converted?

MacBook Pro with Retina display, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.4)

Posted on Jul 22, 2013 9:57 PM

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B.Alexandra

Q: trying to play a .mov file

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  • Helpful answers

  • by Topher Kessler,

    Topher Kessler Topher Kessler Jul 22, 2013 10:48 PM in response to B.Alexandra
    Level 6 (9,866 points)
    Jul 22, 2013 10:48 PM in response to B.Alexandra

    The movie file may be corrupted, or contain an encoding with a bizarre codec (though the former is more likely the case). The .mov format is just a container that can hold a number of different encoding formats, and any can be corrupted or use an encoding that your system does not support even if the file is not corrupted. Do you get any errors or alerts that accompany the lack of ability to play?

  • by B.Alexandra,

    B.Alexandra B.Alexandra Jul 23, 2013 11:22 PM in response to Topher Kessler
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jul 23, 2013 11:22 PM in response to Topher Kessler

    When I try to play the file in QuickTime it says "this format is not supported by QuickTime" and gives me a link to the page informing me of all the supported formats and codecs.

  • by nbar,

    nbar nbar Jul 23, 2013 11:25 PM in response to B.Alexandra
    Level 5 (6,980 points)
    Jul 23, 2013 11:25 PM in response to B.Alexandra

    Can you test with a different .mov file? Quicktime certainly supports .mov files. You tested with VLC as well. Test with a different .mov file, as the file itself could be corrupt.

  • by B.Alexandra,

    B.Alexandra B.Alexandra Jul 24, 2013 7:59 PM in response to nbar
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jul 24, 2013 7:59 PM in response to nbar

    Well there were 60 movie files that I pulled off my camera's memory card, none of them extremly long. None of them will play. What is weird is that when I play them through the memory card when it is connected to my macbook they will play, but only briefly. After about the 3rd clip I try to play it stops playing and I get the same warning. But I worded it wrong on my last post. It is actually telling me that this format is not recognized. I do not know if that makes a difference or not.

  • by nbar,

    nbar nbar Jul 24, 2013 10:01 PM in response to B.Alexandra
    Level 5 (6,980 points)
    Jul 24, 2013 10:01 PM in response to B.Alexandra

    And this occurs when using VLC as well? Below is a link to test different video types, including .mov files.

     

     

    QuickTime: Sample files - Support - Apple

  • by B.Alexandra,

    B.Alexandra B.Alexandra Jul 25, 2013 9:17 PM in response to nbar
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jul 25, 2013 9:17 PM in response to nbar

    Well the sample worked when I tested it. And as far as VLC, there is no message that pops up. It just shows up in the playlist, but the duritation time is set to 0 for some reason and therefor there is no footage to be played. I have come to the conclusion that my memory card is the problem. I can no longer get my laptop to even register the card anymore, nor can my roommate on her mac. My camera will not read the card either. Yet we were able to transfer all the footage from the card on to my other roommates pc with no problem. The footage plays on the pc, I am going to try to transfer them via flashdrive and see if the footage still plays.

  • by nbar,Helpful

    nbar nbar Jul 26, 2013 12:22 AM in response to B.Alexandra
    Level 5 (6,980 points)
    Jul 26, 2013 12:22 AM in response to B.Alexandra

    I have come to the conclusion that my memory card is the problem. Yet we were able to transfer all the footage from the card on to my other roommates pc with no problem.

     

    You can reformat the SD card for OSX compatibility using Disk Utility. Either format it as FAT, for universal compatibility, or Mac Os Extended for OSX only compatibility. Note that all current data on the card will be deleted once it is reformatted. 

     

    How to Format an SD Card for a Mac

  • by Topher Kessler,Helpful

    Topher Kessler Topher Kessler Jul 26, 2013 6:46 AM in response to nbar
    Level 6 (9,866 points)
    Jul 26, 2013 6:46 AM in response to nbar

    A quick addendum to nbar's comment: If the memory card is used in the video capture device, then it may need a specific format (likely FAT for the most compatibility). However, formatting it manually may clear some odd problem it is having. If you use a format that is incompatible with your device then you may have to re-format it, or the device itself may have this ability and reformat it. Either way, performing this routine manually may clear out whatever formatting issue was causing the problem, and result in both your computer and the video device using the SD card properly.

  • by B.Alexandra,

    B.Alexandra B.Alexandra Jul 26, 2013 10:36 AM in response to B.Alexandra
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jul 26, 2013 10:36 AM in response to B.Alexandra

    I have had this card for a long time and have used it with my mac many times, I don't understand why it would just now stop reading it. I usuasly have mostly pictures on it not so much film, maybe that has something to do with it. When I transfered the data to my roomates pc that was the first time I ever used the card with a pc. Nontheless, I will deffinatly try that, thank you for all your help!