playing ".avi" , ".mpg" videos

Please help. I`m not sure if this is the right part of the discussion , but maybe someone can help me out.
All I`m trying to do is to get my new mac to play "http://files..........avi", "http://files......mpg" , "http://files......rar" (with the only exception being".....wmv". That still works fine) and the like links by simply clicking on them. Right now I have to go through a process of copying , pasting , downloading,"opening with...", selecting procedure. A real pain in the you-know-what. On my old Vaio all i had to do is click and the window would open to maximum size by itself, the thing loaded-up by itself and started playing by itself. I `ve downloaded every single player imaginable - the"flip4mac" ,divix, real, VLC but to no avail.
Please help.
JimL

imac core2duo (not very)Intel, Mac OS X (10.4.8)

Posted on Nov 9, 2006 7:45 PM

Reply
7 replies

Nov 9, 2006 9:47 PM in response to Bortanas

Check your QuickTime MIME Settings preferences to make sure they are all enabled.
Quicktime>Quicktime Player Preferences>Advanced

Click on the MIME Settings button.

In the next window that opens up make sure that Streaming-Streaming movies is enabled (checked).
While you’re at it make sure all the boxes are enabled by clicking on the corresponding triangles so that they are pointed down.
This will show the “hidden” boxes especially the Video box. This box will enable you to play .avi files.

Click the OK button.

------–

Now click Streaming
Your settings you should be (as starters):

Streaming Speed: Automatic

Make sure Enable Instant-On is enabled (checked).

------—

Now click on Browser
Make sure:

Play movies automatically
Save movies in disk cache


Are both enabled.

Movie download Cache Size: Slider set all the way to the left.
======================

Safari/QT MIME Plug-in Problems

Courtesy of user: andybal_uk - cheers!

If you've used the "installed plug-ins" command from Safari's Help menu & see no mention of QT, then No, of course that isn't normal.

You should see a section headed-
QuickTime Plug-in 7.x.x
The QuickTime Plugin allows you to view a wide variety of multimedia content in web pages. For more information, visit the QuickTime Web site. — from file “QuickTime Plugin.plugin”.

then a long list of mime types that the plugin handles.

So - assuming you don't see that, either the plugin is missing for some reason or there's a conflict that doesn't allow it to load.

Take a look in your Home/Library/Internet Plug-Ins folder - if you see any QT plugin or webplugin file there, remove them to the desktop or trash.

Now look in HD/Library/Internet Plug-Ins/ amongst other files, this should contain QuickTime Plugin.plugin

IF you found a QT plugin in the Home account plugins folder & have removed it, you should quit any browsers & re-open them - hopefully you will now have QT functioning.

IF you have no file 'QuickTime Plugin.plugin' then it seems something went wrong with the installation or a recent update.
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.rar files can only be played using RealPlayer. Most websites provide an option to select this player if that is the only type of file available on their site.

=====================

The players that you have downloaded, make sure they are specifically for your model mac- Intel. Some websites will show
User uploaded file Hopefully, you are selecting the Universal symbols for your downloads. Some websites may state "Intel package."

Also, it is highly recommended that you repair permissions after installations. See Knowledge Base Article: http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=25751 About Disk Utility's Repair Disk Permissions feature

=========================

As a side note: I have never had any problems playing .avi files using QuickTime. However, since I have an extensive .avi collection as a carry over from my OS 8.x-OS 9.x years I elected to install & make default VLC when I switched over to Tiger & QT Pro. This way, VLC plays all of my .avi files beautifully.

I am new to the CAT Systems. Today I am celebrating my "first anniversery" (new computer & OS). So I guess the honeymoon is officially over!

Nov 10, 2006 10:36 AM in response to Bortanas

Thanks for the help , again. Just a one more question. Everything works , but now all the links download first on the desktop and then play. Before, some files , like the aforementioned wmv , would start playing right away , without the delay. Is there a way to avoid the download alltogether, i.e. not save the files , watch and then remove them manually , but just play them period? Thanks .

Nov 10, 2006 8:09 PM in response to Bortanas

There is in QT under the Browser Preferences which is mentioned in my previous post. However, I do not use Safari sorry. Suggest that you crosspost your download concerns in the Safari Forums where the Safari users hang out until a knowledgeable user chimes in here. Hopefully, the knowledgable users in the Safari Forum will be able to help you out further with your download issue.

This thread has been closed by the system or the community team. You may vote for any posts you find helpful, or search the Community for additional answers.

playing ".avi" , ".mpg" videos

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