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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
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: Index chunk is responsible for saving the locations of data within the container.
Note: If any of these crucial chunks is missing in your AVI video file, then your AVI file will not play.
What is a Codec?
A codec that is short from 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 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:
- “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 codec’s 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 unplayable AVI videos on Mac.
Methods to Fix Unplayable AVI files on Mac
Find the right codec to play AVI file on QuickTime:
Find the codec used to encode the file using QuickTime by opening the file using QuickTime and select 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.
If you don’t find the codec preinstalled with QuickTime, check on the QuickTime support site if the codec is supported by the player. 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.
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. There is no longer a need for downloading 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, 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 QuickTime player.
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.
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 is not only playable by Mac but also has improved the quality of audio and video. As 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 is unplayable even after updating the codecs or converting them to the MOV file, using a professional AVI video repair tool is suggested. Remo Repair AVI is the tool that you will be needing.
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.
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.
If you want to edit AVI videos taken with your phone, camera and other devices on your Mac, you can get help from an AVI video editor for Mac. Here we will introduce you to 3 easy ways to edit an AVI video on Mac (10.13 included) by using Filmora Video Editor for Mac, iMovie and Final Cut pro. Compared the three, Filmora Video Editor for Mac has a broader format support than iMovie and Final Cut Pro. Take AVI for example, you can import any AVI video files into the Video Editor for converting, but only some special AVI files are possible to be imported into iMovie and Final Cut pro for further edit. Let's read and learm more.
Part 1. Edit AVI on Mac Easily with Filmora Video Editor for Mac
This AVI editor for Mac (High Sierra included), say, Filmora Video Editor, must be the most easy-to-use video editing tool but remain one of the powerful and helpful video editor for Mac. Just like what has been mentioned above, you are able to import any video and audio in all hot formats into the program for editing, like AVI, MP4, MKV, AVCHD, WMV and more. With this software, you can trim, crop, rotate your AVI files, add video effects/background music and more with several simple drag-and-drops. Download and install the AVI editor Mac, launch it, then drag and drop your files to it.
Why Choose Filmora Video Editor
- Support most video, audio and photos formats, including AVI, WMV, MOV, MP4, etc.
- Easily crop, trim, split, combine and rotate video.
- Provide effects like motion elements, mosaic, face-off, Picture in picture, Tilt shift, Split-screen, etc.
- You can apply title, texts, filter, transitions and 300+ more effects.
- Directly export video to YouTube, DVD, and devices.
Steps to Edit AVI Videos on Mac (10.13 High Sierra included)
Step 1. Do basic editing on AVI video
To use this Filmora Video Editor to edit AVI videos, the first thing you should do is to import AVI videos to the program by clicking the 'Import Media Files here'. Then drag and drop the video(s) you want to edit into the Timeline. After then, click the slide in the timeline to the position, then select the tools above the timeline to do the basic edit: trim, crop, split, etc. To rotate the video, double-click on the video to activate the rotating setting up window. To merge files, drag them to timeline in order.
Step 2. Apply Effects to AVI Video
The AVI editing software provides some nice video effects to enhance your video. All the effects are displayed in the left side of the window. Choose any effect you need: filter, overlay, title, transition or even a background song, drag and drop the timeline. And then, adjust the position and preview it until you get a good result.
Step 3. Export AVI Video
After you edit the AVI video, you can export it as AVI, or MP4, or any other video format. Besides, there are options for you to share the editted videos directly on YouTube, Vimeo, and Facebook. It's up for you.
Part 2. Using iMovie to Edit AVI on Mac OS X
iMovie is one part of iLife which is a video editor for Mac provided by Apple. If you currently haven’t installed the app, you can go to Mac App Store (Snow Leopard and the later Mac OS only), search iMovie and purchase it ($14.99). The Mac video editor is popular with its intuitive interface and amazing editing features. With this software, you can stabilize your shaky videos, add video transitions and so on. But for AVI files, iMovie only can recognize some special AVI files, which are mainly captured by digital cameras in particular bands. And if your AVI files are incompatible with iMovie, you have to convert AVI to iMovie first.
Here is a detailed guide for AVI editing via iMovie: Using iMovie to Edit Videos on Mac.
How To Download Avi Files On Mac High Sierra
Part 3. Final Cut Pro: Edit AVI Files on Mac
Final Cut Pro is also offered by Apple with lots of powerful editing functions. You can regard it as a deluxe version of iMovie actually, but it’s far more complicated than iMovie which is preferred by pros. It’s not free and is priced at $299.99.
Same as iMovie, Final Cut Pro also only accepts some special AVI files, and you have to convert those incompatible AVI to Final Cut Pro formats first.
Final Cut Pro manual: PDF.
(Tip: If you want to convert PDF to word, excel and more, try this: PDF Converter Pro for Mac.)