Trying to play a .avi video file on MacBook Pro

I am converting a .wmv video file to a .avi file. The .wmv file plays just fine, however the avi file will not play. A message keeps poping up stating I do not have the correct codecs. How do I fix this?

If you wish to play the AVI file in QT, then your system's codec component configuration must include whatever audio and video compression formats were used to create your AVI file. Since AVI is a file container format and does not have a fixed audio and video compression format combination associated with it, only you, as the person creating the AVI file knows for sure what specific codec components are actually needed here.

AVI is not a readable format on QuickTime in Macbook Pro by default

Not totally true. As a file format (i.e., container), it has been supported by QT for decades. Unfortunately, most of the AVI compression formats (i.e., codecs) popularized by PC/Windows users over the years are not supported natively by QT. Only a relatively few, like DV, Cinepak, and MJPEG are natively supported which is why you need to install third-party codec component packages like Perian or use third-party media players like VLC which have their own built-in codec support. Even then it is sometimes possible (albeit rarely) to run across an unsupported codec. (Read ARTICLE HT3775 to see what file, video and, audio formats are natively supported by the QT player.)

You first have to change the security settings and allow downloads from anywhere as opposed to only from the Apple Store.

Okay... Now I understand what you are referring to here.

Many users will find that daunting, if not dangerous.

Apple seems to consider it a security issue. Since I rarely download new applications without researching them, I had forgotten that I'd turned this setting off when I could no longer remember the temporary override keyboard shortcut under Yosemite.

It seems crazy not to provide a way to play AVI files without circumventing/compromising security?

AVI is an open file container originally developed/adopted by Microsoft who later abandoned it (about a dozen years ago) in favor of its more modern Windows Media product. The container is still supported by QTX but files are only playable if encoded with Motion JPEG video with almost any form of PCM encoded audio. Unfortunately, the QTX embedded AVFoundation structure is not programmed to play any other AV content even if the codecs are QTX supported. With the release of QT 7 in April of 2005, Apple made the decision to adopt MPEG-4 audio and video content as the "default" format for Mac operating systems and has since been busy degrading/removing support for third-party proprietary and/or hybrid, as well as, Apple's own "legacy" codecs. (Apple programmers even forgot to support its own "Pro" codecs in the initial release of Mavericks which created quite a stir among professional and "prosumer" users.) Basically, like most purveyors of video media, Apple is consolidating codec use to a small number of easily supported compression formats having the widest possible range of targeted uses—in effect forcing users to employ other players like VLC that continue to support older, third-party, non-proprietary media formats by embedding the codec support directly in the player. Apple appears to feel that if you opt to use third-party or unsupported codecs in supported files containers, then you should use alternative players for their playback and, thus, Apple avoids any potential copyright and/or codec support issues .

You can add Perian component to your QuickTime to enable it play AVI movies. And if it still does not work, just convert the AVI files to MOV. click here to get the video converter: MOV to AVI Converter

Hi there, as I know, many Mac users have problem playing .avi files. You might as well try the VLC which can play many videos in many file types. If you prefer to do conversion, it's fine. Which converting software are you using? Hope you've chosen a right one. You know there are many so-called the best on the web. By the way, I am using iOrgSoft video converter. So far, it works good. And are you using QuickTime on your Mac? If so, you'd better convert your file to QT MOV format instead of .avi. Just for your information. Good luck, mate.

AVI is not a readable format on QuickTime in Macbook Pro by default, you need to install a QuickTime component like Perian, or downoad another player like VLC, a universal player supports just almost every file format. Or even convert it a Mac format like .mp4, .mov, or m4v.

Check: http://www.appgeeker.com/how-to/play-avi-video-file-on-mac.html

I downloaded the VLC player, it was free. I played AVI video on my old 2008 Macbook Pro without a problem. Thank you for the tip. I must admit that I paid $5.95 for flip for Mac and it didn't work. I wish I would have seen this earlier. My loss, but hopefully this helps someone else.

Downloading VLC is also not easy on e.g. a MacBook Pro with El Capitano. Is Apple delivberately trying to make it difficult to share videos between the platforms?

Can you elucidate? I have no problem downloading/using VLC under EL Capitan (or IOS 9).

You first have to change the security settings and allow downloads from anywhere as opposed to only from the Apple Store. Many users will find that daunting, if not dangerous. It seems crazy not to provide a way to play AVI files without circumventing/compromising security?

Downloading VLC is also not easy on e.g. a MacBook Pro with El Capitano. Is Apple delivberately trying to make it difficult to share videos between the platforms?

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