Video taken with iPhone won't play

Question

Level 1

38 points

Video taken with iPhone won't play

I took a video today with my iPhone 7 plus. It synced into my Photos library, but unlike every other video in my Photos library on my Macbook Pro (running 10.12.6) this one won't play. I get an error saying Photos can't play this video because the resource is unavailable. I did absolutely nothing different than any other video I have ever recorded - I started my camera and slid the slider to video and hit record. All the videos, both those that play and the new one that doesn't, are in .MOV format. However, when I went to info on the files, the ones that play say H.264 and the one that doesn't says hvc1. I tried to export the file out of Photos to a folder on my computer but was not able to do so. I then air dropped the file to my Macbook and was able to open and play it with no problem. It also plays on my iPhone with no issues either. Any thoughts on why it won't play in Photos and what the hvc1 is?

MacBook Pro with Retina display, macOS Sierra (10.12.1)

Posted on Oct 27, 2017 8:52 PM

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Answer 1

léonie

Level 10

200,457 points

Oct 28, 2017 7:39 AM in response to dan weisberg

Your video is using a codec (HEVC), that will be probably supported once the Mac has been upgraded to High Sierra. See: Using HEIF or HEVC media on Apple devices - Apple Support

You may want to change the settings on your iPhone to save the videos and photos in a more compatible format, until you upgrade your Mac to High Sierra. macOS High Sierra - Apple

To take photos and videos on your iPhone in a more compatible format use these settings:

Though capturing in HEIF and HEVC format is recommended, you can capture media using older formats that are more broadly compatible with other operating systems and devices:

In iOS 11, go to Settings > Camera.

Tap Formats.

Tap Most Compatible. This setting is available only on devices that can capture media in HEIF or HEVC format.

All new photos and videos will now use JPEG or H.264 format. To return to using the space-saving HEIF and HEVC formats, choose High Efficiency.

To transfer the photos in a compatible format:

You can change this import behavior in iOS 11. Go to Settings > Photos. In the "Transfer to Mac or PC" section, disable "Keep Originals" to ensure the media will be converted when importing.

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Answer 2

dan weisberg Author

Level 1

38 points

Oct 28, 2017 10:22 AM in response to léonie

My settings were both set at most compatible and automatic (keep originals disabled) already. And from what I have read so far I'm not upgrading to High Sierra for a while. I guess for now I will need to play around and figure out most efficient way to get videos out of Photos.

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