Quicktime .mov: plays on one Mac, but not another: missing codec

Question

Level 2

259 points

Quicktime .mov: plays on one Mac, but not another: missing codec

I have a MacMini and and MacBook Pro. I transferred a QT .mov file (MPEG 3) from the MacBook (where it played fine) to the MacMini, where it says there is a missing codec.

I launched the QT website that was in the missing codec error message and it brought me to a QT page that give a whole list of 3rd party codecs that are available. Unfortunately, I have no idea which one of those I need to play that file.

Any advice?

Thanks!

MacBook Pro 15", Mac OS X (10.4.8)

Posted on Apr 18, 2007 9:08 AM

Reply

Answer 1

Apr 18, 2007 12:09 PM in response to Argelius

When you see the message about going to get a component, don't go there, just let the movie open with a blank white image, and Get Info to see which codec is being used. MPEG 3 doesn't exist, and MP3 is audio only, so the codec is something else if it's video.

Reply

Answer 2

Argelius Author

Level 2

259 points

Apr 18, 2007 1:22 PM in response to Colin Holgate

Thanks. I rechecked. The file in question's Codecs are: MPEG Layer 3, Sorenson H. 263...

Reply

Answer 3

Apr 18, 2007 1:37 PM in response to Argelius

Something isn't right.
Sorenson has two codecs (2 and 3) and H.263 is its own codec (not related to Sorenson).
Now, it could be that file contains both codecs but that shouldn't stop QuickTime from playing the file as both are very old and go back to QuickTime version 5. Both codecs are also part of a standard QuickTime install.
The MPEG-1 layer 3 file (.mp3) may be the cause as some are really not .mp3 but show as such in the Movie Info window.
Try opening the file using VLC player and use its "Information" window to report what it says.

Reply

Answer 4

Argelius Author

Level 2

259 points

Apr 19, 2007 3:22 AM in response to QuickTimeKirk

Interesting. In FLV Player the codecs are listed as:
Stream 0: mpga
Stream 1:FLV1

Reply

Answer 5

Apr 19, 2007 5:34 AM in response to Argelius

It all makes sense now. I think that Sorenson Spark may well report itself as being H 263. Get the QuickTime components here:

http://perian.org/

and you should then be able to play the FLV in QuickTime Player.

Reply