Quick Look doesn't work for .mov files in 10.9

By the way, what is a DV/DV file?

I am referring to a DV file container in which the audio and video data are multiplexed within the same data stream. This was always a source of confusion when evaluating statistics with the QT 7 "Inspector" since QT 7 reads the same DV track twice—once as compressed audio and a second time as compressed video as seen here:

You will note that the above image for my test DV-25 file indicates a total data rate on the order of 57 Mbps (about 28.5 for DV audio + another 28.5 for DV video) and a total file size of 272.83 MBs. However, if you check the actual file size according to the Mac OS Finder—the DV file container only takes up about 143 MBs of actual hard drive space as seen below.

Older (pre=QT X) versions of iMovie even had an option to demux the audio to separate audio and video data streams for editing. In a similar manner, DV content can also be stored in an MOV container as multiplexed DV audio and video or as demultiplexed DV video and PCM audio. This brings up another point of possible confusion. The DV/DV multiplexed data stream contains DV video and DV (PCM) audio. Unfortunately, there are many PCM formats—DV, WAV, AIFF, Big Endian Integer, Little Endian Integer, etc. When I refer to a DV/PCM MOV file, I am really referring to an MOV file containing demultiplexed DV video along with one of the "standalone" PCM compression formats as seen here:

You will also note in the above image, the save DV video track plus demultiplexed Big Endian Integer PCM audio track together now provide a total data rate of only 29.80 Mbps for a file size on the order of only 141 MBs—which is more realistic in terms of the space required for file storage. In any case, this brings up the question of whether your MOV file contains multiplexed or demultiplexed DV video and PCM audio since multiplexed DV file data can be be copied to/stored in an MOV file container. In my tests, the data was always multiplexed when referring to a DV sourced file container and demultiplexed when referring to an MOV sourced file container.

Please clarify they type of content actually stored in your MOV file containers.

I also selected a *.mov file imported using iMovie 10. If I rename it to *.dv, QT 10.3 does not play any more and rather wants to convert it.

As implied above, results would likely depend on whether the MOV file contains multiplexed or demultiplexed DV data which I also cannot test under Mavericks at this time. Also, can you clarify what you mean by "file imported using iMovie 10?" I tend to think of adding a file to iMovie from the Finder as an "imported file" but still consider a file "imported" from a camcorder to be a "file capture." The specific workflow used can affect iMovie stored file results.

First, I'd like to correct my original posting with respect to the following sentence:

" I remuxed my *.mov files into *.dv using ffmpeg and also tried *.mov *.dv files imported captured through iMovie '09. "

(i.e. while iMovie '09 captures video from a DV camera into *.dv files, iMovie 10 writes captured video into *.mov files.)

Regarding your question about the type of multiplexing used in the *.mov files, I can't really tell. Running mediainfo on one of the *.mov clips gives:

$ mediainfo 2004-02-28\ 17_51_57.mov
General
Complete name : 2004-02-28 17_51_57.mov
Format : MPEG-4
Commercial name : DVCPRO
Format profile : QuickTime
Codec ID : qt
File size : 444 MiB
Duration : 2mn 2s
Overall bit rate : 30.4 Mbps
Encoded date : UTC 2015-02-16 19:30:31
Tagged date : UTC 2015-02-16 19:32:33
Writing library : Apple QuickTime
com.apple.proapps.manufacturer : Sony
com.apple.proapps.modelname : DV-VCR
com.apple.proapps.cameraName : Sony DV-VCR
com.apple.proapps.ingestDate.description : 2015-02-16 20:30:31 +0100
com.apple.proapps.originalFormat : DV - PAL
com.apple.proapps.mediaRate : Unknown kind of value!
com.apple.proapps.timecodeFormat : Non-Drop
com.apple.quicktime.creationdate : 2004-02-28T17:51:57+0100
com.apple.quicktime.make : Apple
com.apple.quicktime.software : Mac OS X 10.9.5 (13F34)
Video
ID : 1
Format : DV
Commercial name : DVCPRO
Codec ID : dvcp
Duration : 2mn 2s
Source duration : 2mn 2s
Bit rate mode : Constant
Bit rate : 24.4 Mbps
Encoded bit rate : 28.8 Mbps
Width : 703 pixels
Original width : 720 pixels
Height : 576 pixels
Display aspect ratio : 4:3
Frame rate mode : Constant
Frame rate : 25.000 fps
Standard : PAL
Color space : YUV
Chroma subsampling : 4:2:0
[...]
Audio #1
ID : 2
Format : PCM
Format settings, Endianness : Little
Format settings, Sign : Signed
Codec ID : sowt
Duration : 2mn 2s
Source duration : 2mn 2s
Bit rate mode : Constant
Bit rate : 1 536 Kbps
Channel(s) : 2 channels
Channel positions : Front: L R
Sampling rate : 48.0 KHz
Bit depth : 16 bits
Stream size : 22.4 MiB (5%)
Source stream size : 22.4 MiB (5%)
Title : Core Media Audio
Encoded date : UTC 2015-02-16 19:30:31
Tagged date : UTC 2015-02-16 19:32:33
Audio #2
ID : 1-0
Format : PCM
Muxing mode : DV
Muxing mode, more info : Muxed in Video #1
Duration : 2mn 2s
Bit rate mode : Constant
Bit rate : 1 536 Kbps
Encoded bit rate : 0 bps
Channel(s) : 2 channels
Sampling rate : 48.0 KHz
Bit depth : 16 bits
Stream size : 22.4 MiB (5%)
Encoded stream size : 0.00 Byte (0%)
Other
ID : 3
Type : Time code
Format : QuickTime TC
Duration : 2mn 2s
Time code of first frame : 00:03:13:18
Time code, striped : Yes
Title : Core Media Time Code
Encoded date : UTC 2015-02-16 19:30:31
Tagged date : UTC 2015-02-16 19:32:33

DanTheMan000 wrote:

Running Mavericks (10.9.5) on my newer MBP (retina), "Quick Look" and "Quick Time Player" (10.3) do not play DV/PCM in *.dv files. Only after I installed QT7 (as suggested by Apple for support of older codecs), I can play these files using QT 7 on this MBP. "Quick Look" still is not playing these dv-video files:

I just updated this newer MBP to Yosemite and now "Quick Look" plays these *.dv video files.

Regarding your question about the type of multiplexing used in the *.mov files, I can't really tell. Running mediainfo on one of the *.mov clips gives:..

According to the MediaInfo data you provided, track 1 contains DV video, track 2 contains little endian PCM audio, and the track 3 refers to DV audio which is actually multiplexed with the video previously referenced in track 1. In short the file actually contains both multiplexed and demultiplexed audio.

General

Complete name : 2004-02-28 17_51_57.mov

Format : MPEG-4

Commercial name : DVCPRO

This may or may not be the heart of your problem. According to the statements above, MediaInfo is interpreting the file as an MPEG-4 file containing DV/DV compressed audio and video compressed data with a separate track containing PCM compressed audio. Unfortunately, QT considers these data types to be incompatible with the MPEG-4 file type—i.e., QT expects MPEG-4/AAC or H.264/AAC compressed data to be encapsulated in an MPEG-4 file type. This may imply that either your Mac operating system or the QT player was corrupted. (Either that or the FFMPEG "muxing" operation to which you previously referred incorrectly placed the compressed data into an incorrect file container.) In any case, updating your operating appears to have corrected whatever was wrong with the original installation.

Jon,

Thanks for you reply. You analysis is very reasonable.

However, my issues were not directed to *.mov files. The *.mov files play perfectly in QuickTime 10.4 although "mediainfo" reports this strange assemblage of multimedia streams. I see no reason why QT would fail as these files have been created through Apple programs. Rather, my issues were associated with *.dv files. Please see my first posting dated Feb 20, 2015. I provided the information about *.mov files as a response to your question. So maybe I have to apologize that I "hijacked" this thread and steered it away from the original issues with *.mov files. You now moved it back to the original topic. Thanks.

However, my issues were not directed to *.mov files. The *.mov files play perfectly in QuickTime 10.4 although "mediainfo" reports this strange assemblage of multimedia streams.

Sorry, my fault here. Current forum settings display your initial post on one web page and your latest postings on another. It didn't occur to me to review your first post as I mistakenly assumed you were posting stats for the non-playing DV content rather than a plying file.

I see no reason why QT would fail as these files have been created through Apple programs.

Actually, there are a number of possibilities that might explain why such a file might not play. Normally these would include missing codec support, file/compression type inconsistencies/incompatibilities, corruption of system or QT player application, and/or QT player programming problems. Here is a quick history associated with just the last four Mac OS X operating systems:

1) By default, Lion deactivated the "active" (encoding) use of "legacy" codecs. (If you wish to use these codes, you have to manually turn them back on under Lion or layer operating systems and use a QT 7 based or third-party software. And, while this did not affect "passive" (playback) support of most legacy compression formats, it did signal significant changes for later operating system. In addition, a general update to core audio support was begun under Lion.

2) Mountain Lion saw the completion of changes to core audio support in preparation later A/V QTX/QL structure changes to be embedded OS in Mavericks and Yosemite. Some third-party software providers were caught by the audio changes and had to scramble to rewrite/reconfigure support for their audio and/or video apps.

3) Mavericks officially dropped legacy codec support for QTX/QL employing the newly added system-wide structure embeds for playback, "modernization," and encoding of content at the Finder level. While the general lack of support for most "legacy" codecs was to be expected based on changes initiated under Lion, most iMovie and FCP users were very upset by the lack of Apple QTX/QL programmer foresight in programing the new structures to recognize and support codecs that continued to be supported by iMovie and FCP video editors under Mavericks. This forced the Apple programmers to scramble to reprogram the new structures ASAP as so-called "minor" updates to Mac OS X v10.9 (which were not so minor to many QTX/QL users).

4) Yosemite continues to update/evolve the QTX/QL support but most changes are now in areas to better recognize/support file/compression type combinations that remain "overlooked" by the QTX/QL programmers.

Rather, my issues were associated with *.dv files. Please see my first posting dated Feb 20, 2015. I provided the information about *.mov files as a response to your question.

Since major OS updates install as a completely new operating systems, I doubt that a platform can "inherit" an ability to play DV files going from Lion to Mountain Lion to Mavericks to Yosemite. On the other hand, it is entirely possible that the system that came with Mavericks pre-installed missed a specific incremental Mavericks update that did include the changes required to recognize and play certain files. As discussed elsewhere in the QT forum, the initial Mavericks release omitted the ability to play several compression formats (to include DV, AIC and most of the "pro" codecs) that were supported in video editing apps in use at that time requiring users to wait for Apple to issue later updates to Mavericks in order to support such content in QT X and QL. When you upgraded this Mavericks system to Yosemite, you effectively by-passed the problem when the new OS was installed. This seems more likely than assuming your Mavericks OS and/or QTX/QL software was corrupted with regard to the playback of a single file type or that FFMPEG might have "re-muxed" both the muxed and demuxed audio MOV content to a DV file container (although I was considering this as a possibility since FFMPEG does not always adhere to media standards and QT often traps on such inconsistencies as potential security issues).

So maybe I have to apologize that I "hijacked" this thread and steered it away from the original issues with *.mov files.

While it is always a good idea to open your own topic, I doubt anyone here will put up a fuss since the original topic was broached in October of 2013 and most QTX/QL problems under Yosemite are relegated, at this time, to the continued use of legacy or proprietary codecs by users who cannot or will not switch to more modern forms of content that are natively supported by QTX/QL under Mavericks and Yosemite. Luckily, I switched to MPEG4/H.264 video when the 5th Gen iPod was introduced and only experienced the "shock" of missing QTX/QL support in the initial release of Mavericks which has since been corrected for the most part and haven't really used DV sourced content since switching to MPEG-4 AVC camcorders/devices.

KAkakskskslls

Guys, after an hour i gave up reading (not native english speaker) these long and pointless statements about why we don't simply convert thousands of our video files, or how we all should downgrade to previous OSX, or just get used to it because Apple never makes mistakes (right, Jon?). And I am also new at these forums, so I can't tell if the solution/answer has been posted already. Sorry in that case. But I made ProRes .mov files playable in Quick Look somehow. Not just still thumbnails, but playable as before.

This weird Apple codec pack did the trick. Pro Video Formats 2.0.1. But I'll go through all the steps if plain installing didn't work.

Yosemite running on mid-2011 iMac, cheapest 27-inch available, updated regularly.

I uninstalled all possible video players and codec packs - not working

Uninstalled VLC, relinked all video files to natively open in QT(10) - not

Restarted - not

Downloaded QT7 from Apple website, installed, relinked all video files to open in it - still not working

Restarted - not

Installed VLC again - not yet

Downloaded this strange codec pack Pro Video Formats 2.0.1 from I don't know where I found it on Apple's website, installed - finally working!

I am into film editing a little, and can't imagine that any of the answers like converting or going back to Lion would be acceptable for real professionals. Anyone arguing for Apple's decisions on the Quick Look feature is obviously not from this business.

Guys, after an hour i gave up reading (not native english speaker) these long and pointless statements about why we don't simply convert thousands of our video files, or how we all should downgrade to previous OSX, or just get used to it because Apple never makes mistakes (right, Jon?).

Not sure what you are really trying to say here. The option to convert or not convert is a personal choice which each user must make dependent on the individual's personal situation and workflow requirements. As to what you may consider a mistake and what Apple considers to be a mistake is likely to be two very different things entirely.

And I am also new at these forums, so I can't tell if the solution/answer has been posted already. Sorry in that case. But I made ProRes .mov files playable in Quick Look somehow. Not just still thumbnails, but playable as before... This weird Apple codec pack did the trick. Pro Video Formats 2.0.1. But I'll go through all the steps if plain installing didn't work.

I fail to understand why you seem so surprised that installing the Apple Pro Video Codec package (which includes the entire Apple ProRes family of codecs and not just Apple ProRes 422 codec) would make your Apple ProRes encoded files playable in QT 7, QT X, and QL. The codecs included in the download you reference was released in September of 2011 and contains the v3.0.1 Apple ProRes codec component. Frankly, I am surprised you did not install this package sooner if you are using this family of codecs so extensively. BTW: the last version of this codec installed automatically on my Yosemite system is v3.0.6 with AppleAVCIntra updated from your v2.0 to v2.1.4, AppleHDV from v2.0.1 to v2.0.5, AppleIntermediate from v2.0 to v2.0.2, DVCPROHD from v2.0 to v2.0.2, FPC Uncompressed 422 from v2.0 to v2.0.2 and IMX from v2.0 to v2.0.2 also. Not sure if this last update is Yosemite specific but if not, you might want to look for a further update package compatible with your OS.

I am into film editing a little, and can't imagine that any of the answers like converting or going back to Lion would be acceptable for real professionals.

Neither can I. But then I don't expect professionals to use unsupported codecs or continue to use "legacy" codecs for new content without having a reliable "legacy" workflow to handle their archived data. I also expect professional users to keep their systems updated with respect to the apps and codecs they use on a daily basis.

Anyone arguing for Apple's decisions on the Quick Look feature is obviously not from this business.

QL is a handy Finder feature but it is not the only way to play or preview content. Currently, anything you can view in QT X, you can view in QL—including "modern" and "legacy" Pro codecs. You seem to be overlooking the point that "legacy" compression format use on the Mac has been continuously degraded since Lion with respect to both QT X and 7 support. And, now that QT X and QT 7 support structures are separate and independent under Mavericks and Yosemite, Apple is free to phase out QT 7 use altogether any time they wish to do so—which I assume is their eventual goal here. Anyone thinking otherwise (i.e., that Apple plans to continue the long-term support of "legacy" compression formats) is deluding themselves and anyone really "in the business" is probably already looking into the potential use of the H.265 codec for the creation and distribution of 4K and 8K content in the "foreseeable" future.

So a bit late to the party but can anyone explain why the new QT X feature does not support playback of Avid DNxHD and DNxHR encoded movie? This is a professional SMPTE approved codec being used by thousands of post houses around the world and the lack of support under QTX is frustrating to say the least.

It's almost like Apple don't want competition for ProRes... which I might add is not a SMPTE approved codec.

some good info here. but i'm another one who massively misses the ability to see QL previews of "legacy formats" in the finder.
not because i'm reluctant to change. but because there is no other, as fast a way to identify large volumes of individual files. having to open another program defeats the convenience.

QUESTION:

i have heard of two possible solutions :
1. download (and install) an older version of quicktime pro
2. download (and install) the "pro codecs" from apple

does anyone have any experience as to whether either will return the functionality?

QUESTION:

i have heard of two possible solutions :

1. download (and install) an older version of quicktime pro

2. download (and install) the "pro codecs" from apple

does anyone have any experience as to whether either will return the functionality?

1. Installing QT 7 (Pro registration not required for playback) would not restore QuickLook functionality. It is merely a means for playing/reviewing files within the QT 7 Player which were originally encoded using codecs for which your system is/can be configured.
2. On the other hand, installing the Pro Codec package might restore QuickLook functionality IF the file was originally encoded with one of the "Pro" codecs included in the "Pro" package AND that codec is still programmed to be "playback compatible" with the AVFoundation structure embedded in post-Mountain Lion operating systems. Otherwise, it would only make the file conversion compatible with the Convert structure embedded in theses systems.