Hi,
from my old camcorder I have still some AVI videos which I would like to play or save in my new Mac.
I tried to download and run freeware for this, e.g. the DivX player, but this is not supported by Mac Maverics OS X 10.9.2.
Is there somebody who solved this problem?
Thank you for thinking and your answer.
Hansrainergerd
MacBook Pro (Retina, 15-inch, Late 2013), OS X Mavericks (10.9.2)
from my old camcorder I have still some AVI videos which I would like to play or save in my new Mac.
I tried to download and run freeware for this, e.g. the DivX player, but this is not supported by Mac Maverics OS X 10.9.2.
Is there somebody who solved this problem?
Solved is a concept that really depends on your goals and desired workflow here.
AVI, like MOV, refers to the file container in which data is stored and not the compression format to which the data is encoded. If, for instance, your AVI files contained properly encoded MJPEG video with Adaptive/Linear PCM audio, your files would probably still be playback compatible with QT X and QL even running under Mavericks. Unfortunately, AVI is a "legacy" file container that has remained unsupported officially for more than a decade since Microsoft dropped its use in favor of its more modern WMV codecs and file containers. As such, your files may contain data compressed using dozens of formats and in hundreds of combinations—some of what have never been transcoded for use on a Mac, for any Mac OS X system, and/or any Intel-based Mac platform. Therefore, the first thing to do normally, is to determine what codecs were used to create your AVI files. There are many ways to do this but I would personally recommend the use of a dedicated multimedia information utility like MediaInfo (free Internet download or $0.99 from the App Store).
Once you know what codecs were used to create the AVI file, your can select a "fix" or "soloution" that best suits you workflow needs. These may include:
As you can see, there are several possible solutions depending on how the source AVI files were encoded, whether you simply want to watch the content and don't care what player is used but want to avoid re-coding the files, or need total native compatibility with QT X and QL under Mavericks. In addition, the specific apps mentioned are only representative (i.e., ones I personally use) and each probably has several alternatives which you may or may not prefer.
If you just want to play your .avi files stored in old camcorder, you can download a QuickTime component - Perian, it plays almost any movie format you have.
http://www.appgeeker.com/how-to/play-avi-video-file-on-mac.html
For the purpose of transferring avi to mpeg4, I have no problem with Handbrake, but AppGeeker converter may be the best solution. I've been using it much more often lately; it has several export options.
Thank you, John Walker and Paul Walberg for your support.
I have now a better understanding of the various possible AVI codes. I followed your hints and downloaded Perian and aise-soft-video-converter without success. No one plays directly my AVIs. In the Apple store I found "Smart Converter Pro 2" which converts my AVIs quite well. What I am wondering about is, why can such a program convert the file but cannot show it?. That's strange. I not longer want to solve this part of the problem, I just convert the AVIs and thats my solution.
Thank you again.
Hansrainergerd
I followed your hints and downloaded Perian and aise-soft-video-converter without success.
As indicated in paragraph 1 above, you would have to download and install the free QT 7 player to take advantage of Perian for direct playback. While Perian may add some conversion support to the QT X AVFoundation-Modernizer-Convert routines embedded in Mavericks, it does not support direct playback of supported codec directly by the QT X player. As to the video converter you mentioned, I have no experience with it.
No one plays directly my AVIs.
Did you try the free VLC Media Player recommended in paragraph 2 of my previous response response above? While this media player does not handle all forms of all possible compression formats, it does handle most common codecs used in AVI file containers and the codec support (FFmpeg codec package) is built into the application so you do not have to worry about modifying the Mac OS X base codec package. The main problem with this work flow is a lack of support for Apple's own proprietary codecs such as thouse automatically installed by Apple's video editing apps.
In the Apple store I found "Smart Converter Pro 2" which converts my AVIs quite well. What I am wondering about is, why can such a program convert the file but cannot show it?. That's strange.
A "conversion" app is designed primarily to transcode the compressed data in one file to a different form of compressed data and, if necessary, re-mux it to a different file container. Most such apps could probably play the source data if programmed do do so but this is not necessarily part of their main function just as most conversion apps do not include the ability to edit the data being converted but could if programmed to do so. (E.g., the QT 7 player becomes both an editing and conversion app when keyed for "Pro" use and configured with the proper required third-party codecs.) Basically, you need to use the right tool for the specific job you wish done. For example:
VLC—free excellent general purpose multimedia player that handles most non-encrypted/non-proprietary compression formats (FFmpeg supported codecs and file containers). Streams/converts files but can produce files not fully compatible with QT apps/devices when used by novice users. Supports output of DTS/AC3 surround sound through Mac optical line for direct decoded playback from computer via appropriately connected audio decoding systems.
HandBrake—free excellent converter for the transcoding any compression formats supportexd by the FFmpeg codec package to QT MPEG-4 and MPEG-4 AVC anamorphic or non-anamorphic, device targeted or custom x.264 encoded long or short addressing files by experienced users. Limited editing capabilities. (E.g., I use this app to turn all of my ripped Blu-ray MKV library files to 720p24 universal H.264/AAC/AC3 DD5.1/Chapter files which play on all of my current Mac OS X systems, mobile device, TV, and "stream" are accessible via various apps/devices on my local network, as well as, the Internet.
QT 7 "Pro" Player—paid upgrade for the free QT 7 video player which can perform extensive editing/conversions and the application of system filters to any supported compression format and file combination using the 32-bit "classic" QT structure still embedded in the Maverics OS to include "legacy" codecs turned back on by the user and Apple "Pro" app codecs installed by the user.
These applications, together with additional codec support (e.g., WMV Flip for Mac "partial" suppoort for formats like 1080i VC-1 and/or AC3 updated component for Perian), handle virtually all of my normal workflow requirements. Thus, once you analyze and categorize the specific requirements of your particular workflow needs, you can select and use the "right tools" to accomplish your specific goals.
I not longer want to solve this part of the problem, I just convert the AVIs and thats my solution.
This is probably the best long-term solution where video quality is not not degraded and/or native playback in QT based apps or on Apple mobile devices is of primary import to the user.
Play AVI or transfer AVI to mpeg4
