VLC Media Player is a great solution to AVI video 'format not supported'. This is because the media player can support more codecs and file formats than Windows Media Player. Install and use VLC to play your AVI videos with these steps: Go to VLC's official website and download the app; Install the app by double-clicking on its executable file. The TechSmith Screen Capture Codec (TSCC) is included with Camtasia. Download this decoder to play an AVI file that is encoded with TSCC on a system where Camtasia is not installed. The TechSmith Screen Codec v2 (TSC2) is included with Camtasia. K-Lite Codec Pack is a free package of media player codecs. It can play almost all the movies which you download from the internet. Its supported formats include AVI, WMV, MP4, MOV, MKV, FLV, MTS, 3GP and more so that you can play virtually any video files with it.
My QuickTime player is not playing .avi files and says I need a codec. I am not able to play any .avi files on QuickTime. How could I fix this because I want to play these files with QuickTime?
Playing AVI files is one of the biggest worries for a Mac user. None of the four major Indeo codecs that are required to decode AVI files have been integrated into QuickTime. In some cases, even if the required codecs are available, the AVI video file does not play due to corruption. So, before we get to know how to play AVI files on Mac or how to fix AVI files that are not playing on Mac, let’s get a quick look at Audio Video Interleave (AVI) format.
Image Source: support.apple.com
Why AVI Files don’t Play on Mac?
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Just like any other media player, QuickTime on Mac also examines both the audio and video codecs within the video file whenever you open any file on Mac. If the codecs are not used by the media player it won’t play the video. QuickTime media player does not recognize the Cinepak and ALaw 2:1 codecs used in the AVI video file format. And as a result, when you try to play AVI files in QuickTime, the player doesn’t play the video.
What is an AVI file?
The full form of AVI is Audio Video Interleave. Like any video file format, AVI is a container format that defines how video data is packed into a file. Unlike other video formats, it does not predefine or specify the protocol or procedure involved while recording or creating a file. As an AVI file structure has the organizational format of streams and stream data, it is defined by two lists namely List Chunk and Index Chunk.
List Chunk: The list chunk has metadata, the size of the file, frame rates, and audio/video information.
Index Chunk: The index chunk is responsible for saving the locations of data within the container.
Note: If any of these crucial chunks are missing in your AVI video file, then your AVI file will not play.
What is a Codec?
A codec that is short for compressor and decompressor is responsible for decoding the video and audio tracks that have been encoded or packed in the .avi file.
It is to be noted that an AVI file or any video file does not come with codecs. Codecs are a part of the video player package like QuickTime.
However, if the codec used to encode the AVI file is not available in the QuickTime player, then your AVI file will not play. Thus, you can expand the codec library of the player by downloading the specific codec required to play the AVI video file.
Problems Associated With Running AVI on Mac Using QuickTime
When an AVI file is opened using QuickTime player, it scans the file to see which codecs have been used to encode the data in the container/AVI file.
The AVI format video will play as expected if the video and audio in the codec are compressed using a codec that exists in the QuickTime package. Nevertheless, problems arise while playing AVI files on Mac when the codec does not exist in the library and leads to an unplayable AVI file on Mac. The file may also refuse to play if the AVI file is corrupt. Fix corrupt AVI files on Mac before trying any workaround.
Unplayable AVI Files Return The Following Errors:
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- “QuickTime is missing the software needed to perform this operation. Unfortunately, it is not available on the QuickTime server”
- 'You may experience problems playing a video track in 'file.avi' because the required compressor could not be found”
Additionally, the latest version QuickTime X does not have a few major codecs like Indeo or native DivX support and you might end up with the question “How to play unplayable AVI file on Mac?”.
Now that you have understood the complications associated with AVI files that are unplayable on Mac, the following workarounds mentioned below have been provided to help you fix if Mac or MacBook not playing a video.
Methods to Fix Unplayable AVI files on Mac
1. Find the Right Codec to Play the AVI File on QuickTime:
Find the codec used to encode the file using QuickTime by opening the file using QuickTime and select the Show Movie Info option from the Window menu.
The video file information is listed, and you will be able to find codec information after format properties. Check if the QuickTime version supports the codec that is listed in the video properties.
Check on the QuickTime support site if the codec is supported by the player if you don’t find the codec preinstalled with QuickTime. If you don’t find the respective codec or if it is an unsupportive codec, then your AVI video won’t play. In case it is supported then you can go ahead and install the codec after downloading it from the author or the publisher’s site.
Note: Download the codec from genuine and trusted sources to avoid compromising your system security.
2. Download and Install Standardized Video Encoders
There are two major industry-standard codecs for Mac that can extend the playback capabilities. The following codecs have been referred to as the most preferred codecs that enable you to open .avi files on Mac:
- Install 3ivx D4 codec:
This codec enables greater video quality at lower file size values up to fifty percent when compared to the MPEG-4 standard designed by Apple. This decoder increases the efficiency of the video storage and transmission of files that are rendered too large. It is an integration of a huge set of video and audio codecs that allow playback of almost all the AVI files with AAC audio and video of MPEG-4. You can fix your unplayable AVI file by installing 3ivx D4 on your Mac. Further, there is no need to download any other components like plug-ins to play the AVI file unless a proprietary codec is used to encode the file.
- Install DivX for Mac free codec to fix AVI files in Quick time:
While you can play the majority of AVI files after you install this free codec for Mac, its major disadvantage is that the audio sometimes might be distorted or only the video is played. For this reason, the DivX codec for Mac is a secondary option when compared to 3ivx D4 codec.
Note: Only one among the above two codecs are to be used at once as they share the same set of library files to decode the video. Hence it is recommended to install only one codec to avoid malfunction of the QuickTime player.
3. Use an Alternate player to Play AVI files on Mac:
VLC or Video LAN Client is a cross-platform media player that supports a wide variety of AVI video and audio codecs. Therefore, choosing VLC as an alternative media player to play the unplayable AVI file on Quick Time is one of the easiest ways.
Because of its large library of free encoding and decoding libraries, you will no longer need any additional codec download or proprietary plug-ins.
4. Play AVI Files By Converting Into QuickTime Supported MOV Files:
Another workaround to fix the unplayable AVI video on Mac is to convert the AVI file into a QuickTime supported file format like MOV.
Post conversion, the file will be playable on Mac. However, most of the converters break the index of the AVI file while conversion, this method is least recommended. Lastly, if the converted video file stops playing halfway try AVI index repair on Mac.
Note: Have a copy of your AVI file before converting them to any other compatible format as your AVI file might get corrupt due to improper conversion and leads to permanent inaccessible AVI files.
AVI Still Not Playing In Mac?
If the AVI video file remains unplayable even after getting the correct codecs, using the compatible player, or converting to MOV, it is probably because the video file is corrupt. The only solution to this is to try an AVI video repair software. Choose a professional AVI video repair tool like Remo AVI Repair.
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Remo Repair AVI fixes and works on a duplicate version of your original AVI file to prevent modification on the original file. The self-explanatory interface helps you to fix the video in just 3 clicks. Download the Remo Repair AVI tool now to fix your unplayable video and preview it for free before saving.
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Remo Repair AVI Can Also:
- Repair AVI files that are corrupted
- Repair AVI files if their index is corrupted
- Repairs AVI files if there is no audio or playing only audio in the video file
Conclusion:
With the mentioned free workarounds or by using the above-mentioned AVI repair tool, you must have fixed your unplayable AVI videos on Mac. However, you can always make use of Remo Software’s technical assistance team as they will guide you with the repairing process of the software if needed.
Here are the top 8 codec packs for QuickTime to play formats like AVI, MKV, WMV, MTS, etc. Follow the steps to download and install a reliable QuickTime codec to play videos smoothly.
QuickTime contains popular codecs such as MPEG4, H.264, DV and JPEG. But downloading additional codecs is deemed as indispensable to make up for the missing ones and have the videos under the compatible formats with QuickTime. Just check out our top list of QuickTime codec you have to download and install to expand QuickTime supported format lists, if you are subject to following playback issues.
- QuickTime shows you an error message when playing a file with unsupported media: 'The document could not be opened. A required codec isn't available.'
- You are unable to play MOV files and informed of a message 'Additional software is required for QuickTime to playback this media.' This is the QuickTimeMPEG2.component file is deleted from /Library/QuickTime since macOS Sierra.
- You get a message 'The document could not be opened. The movie's file format isn't recognized' when playing AVI in QuickTime, just because the file is corrupt or a video/audio codec is mission.
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Play Any Videos on QuickTime without Codec Installed
MacX Video Converter Pro is built in QuickTime native codecs H.264, MPEG4, DV, along with the missing codecs QuickTime doesn't have like HEVC, DivX, Xvid, etc, which makes it an easy job to convert UHD/HD/SD video to MOV, MP4, M4V without installing any codecs for QuickTime.
1. Figure out what codec are missing from QuickTime
All these above phenomenon indicate that a special codec for QuickTime is required to be installed in order to have the video format played in QuickTime. In the following sector, we are showing you top 8 required codecs for QuickTime player on Mac, along with the trustworthy download links that leads to the official or renowned sites of the codecs, to make sure the downloading and installation of codecs are easy to follow and get the best possible result without issue anymore.
QuickTime and related codecs make it easy to play each format like MOV, MP4, M4V, and more. But codecs for QuickTime are required to be installed if you want to play AVI, MKV, WMV, MTS, and more. So you have to download a specific HEVC codec (needed to play 4k UHD video), MKV codec, WMV codec, etc according to your needs. Below are 8 paramount codecs suggested to be installed on QuickTime for easy playing.
No 1. DivX codec
Installing DivX codecs for QuickTime player is a must to make sure users will be able to play DivX files with satisfaction. It is the nice choice to create or convert your DivX video content thanks to its improved tools that manage to deliver the highest possible encoding quality and performance.
How to download and install:
- Go to the DivX official site to get DivX codec.
- Run the installation assistant.
- Restart the computer. Then you can receive the pro codec and use it for six months.
No 2. XviD codec
XviD is a video codec library following the MPEG-4 standard, which can compress video at a ratio of 200:1 and more. This is one of must-have QuickTime codecs that allow Mac users to play and encode Xvids in QuickTime player. Current some AVI, MP4, MPEG files are encoded with Xvid codec. So to watch these videos on QuickTime, download the QuickTime Xvid Codec accordingly.
Download Link: https://xvid-codec.en.softonic.com/mac/download
How to download and install:
- It is similar to do with Perian. Just go to the softonic page to download Xvid DMG.
- Install it and do a little leg-work.
- Open the hard drive icon on the desktop, go to Library > open QuickTime.
- Drag and drop the XviD codec component file to QuickTime.
- Log out and log in again. Then you can play XviD files in QuickTime.
No 3. CEA-608 caption
CEA 608 is just a codec for QuickTime that ensures you view the videos with closed captions and subtitles. See how to add subtitles to MP4 >>
Download Link:https://support.apple.com/kb/DL837?locale=en_US
How to download and install:
- Click the official QuickTime download page to get CEA-608.
- Choose View > Subtitles > Choose a language to view subtitles; choose View > Show closed captioning to view closed captions.
No 4. WMV codec
WMV codec is completely proprietary. So it won't be easy to play WMV on Mac QuickTime. But you can luckily turn to an alternative - Flip4Mac. It is a popular QuickTime plugin that allows Windows Media Player formats like WMV to be played in QuickTime.
Download Link:https://www.telestream.net/flip4mac/download.htm
How to download and install:
- Go to the official page and download the Flip4Mac dmg.
- Run an installer and restart once it is completed.
No 5. Perian
Although Perian stopped updating 6 years ago and is somehow old for QuickTime. It is still installed frequently among users to guarantee all the formats are in a smooth playback manner over macOS.
Download Link: http://www.perian.org/
How to download and install:
- Download Perian.
- Restart all QuickTime related programs to proceed after installing Perian successfully.
- Start the system to update all components. Then you can play video formats that are not natively supported by QuickTime.
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No 6. EnSharpen Video Codec
It's a great QuickTime codec for recording screen on Mac with the highest compression but completely lossless video quality. The video codec allows a smooth playback of AVI-based software training videos and online learning objects produced with Camtasia Studio.
Download Link:https://www.techsmith.com/video-codecs-ensharpen.html
How to download and install:
- Go to the official download page to get the dmg.
- Place it inside the folder /Library/QuickTime.
- Copy the component file and relaunch any QuickTime app you might have open.
No 7. Autodesk
With the installation of FBX codec in QuickTime, you will be able to share and play 3D content, such as 3D movies from any professional 3D package, at no cost. The Autodesk codec is both available for Mac and Windows.
Download Link:https://www.autodesk.com/products/fbx/overview
The installation steps go the same as EnSharpen.
No 8. Streambox
The Streambox ACT-LC codec lets QuickTime users to bring ACT-L3 into QuickTime environment, which offers low-cost, high-quality and compression solution. It is compatible with any apps that in support of editing and broadcasting.
Download Link:http://www.streambox.com/products/quicktime_main.html
The installation steps go the same as EnSharpen.
2. How to Uninstall QuickTime Codecs on Mac
There are times you need to uninstall these codecs and get rid of them from QuickTime player.
Option 1: Just trash the component file from the /Library/QuickTime folder. It is easy but inconvenient if you want to download, unzip and copy the codecs just trashed.
Option 2: Create a folder called Inactive and drop the QuickTime component you don't need anymore into the folder. Relaunch QuickTime and run the uninstaller assistant to get rid of these components.
Alternative to Downloading QuickTime Codecs
For many users who are non-pros and get stuck in the incompatible codec problems, don't despair. You can neither understand the technical codec nor download any codec pack for playback at all. There is a QuickTime alternative - MacX Video Converter Pro. It is built in 370+ video/audio codecs, including the latest HEVC, DivX, Xvid, H264, MPEG-4, MPEG2, AVI, MOV, FLAC, MP3, etc, which enables one-click convert video codec to decode video into MOV, M4V, MP4 formats that QuickTime support.
Follow the how-to guide if the QucikTime player you use on Mac doesn't have right video codec for playback. Then easily decode and encode the video into QuickTime format without codec issue.
Step 1: Free download HD video converter on Mac. Click + Video to load the source file.
Step 2: Select a compatible video codec for QuickTime on Mac in the output profile window. Choose MOV in Mac General Profile. H.264 is recommended as the best codec for QuickTime as it offers best quality and relatively small file size.
Step 3: Set a destination folder by clicking Browse button and press RUN to begin the codec converting process on Mac.