• Can Mac Play Avi Files
• Can Mac Open Avi Files Without
• How To Open Avi Files On A Mac
• Can't Open Avi File Mac

Summary: You cannot play AVI video files on Mac as the default QuickTime player doesn’t support the video format. In this post, we have shared 5 ways to open AVI videos on Mac. The AVI or Audio Video Interleave by Microsoft is a container format that has.AVI file extension. Control-click (or right-click) the file in the Finder. From the shortcut menu that opens, choose Open With. You should see a submenu listing all of the other installed apps that your Mac thinks might be able to open 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.

Playing AVI and DivX files

This chapter from our book Troubleshooting Mac® OS X discusses why some Audio Video Interleaved (AVI) multimedia files do not play in QuickTime and provides methods for playing AVIs on Mac OS X.

About AVIs

There has been confusion over AVI files since QuickTime® added support for such. AVI is a media container very similar to QuickTime, but with a unique data format. AVI was originally called Video for Windows® (VFW) and QuickTime supports the VFW format.

However, most, if not all AVI playback issues arise with movies that have been compressed using CODECs (Compressor - Decompressor) that are unavailable for QuickTime in Mac OS X. In particular, the Indeo® CODEC, popular for video compression on PCs, has not been ported to Mac OS X.

To further confuse the issue, many DivX®-encoded files carry the .avi extension. QuickTime does not include native DivX support, even though QuickTime 6 and later support the ISO Standard MPEG-4 media compression format and DivX is based on the MPEG-4 standard.

QuickTime X and AVIs

Under Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard®, QuickTime Player — aka QuickTime X — does not support third-party components, i.e. QuickTime plug-ins. Nevertheless, Snow Leopard includes QuickTime Player 7 as an optional install: QuickTime X will invoke QuickTime Player 7 to play videos supported by the latter or by QuickTime Player 7 components.

If you have an existing QuickTime Pro key, QuickTime Player 7 is installed automatically and Pro functionality is available in QuickTime Player 7. If you elect not to install QuickTime Player 7, it can be installed later. Likewise, if you attempt to open a media file that requires QuickTime Player 7, you are offered the opportunity to install it. QuickTime Player 7 is installed in the Macintosh HD > Applications > Utilities folder.

Playing AVIs on Mac OS X

We have found that the following four methods will enable viewing most AVI files that do not play in QuickTime. While none of these methods are foolproof and some AVI files still refuse to play, one of these methods will usually work.

Use VLC

Probably the easiest way to play AVI and DivX files on Mac OS X is to download and install the freeware VLC Media Player for OS X. VLC is also often referred to by its original name, VideoLAN Client.

Install Perian

Perian is an excellent, free, and open source QuickTime component.

Install the 3ivx® D4 CODEC

Download and install the 3ivx MPEG-4 CODEC per the installation instructions in the associated ReadMe file. This CODEC adds support for a variety of DivX and other formats which often carry the .avi extension.

Convert AVIs to QuickTime movies

If all else fails and you are running Mac OS X 10.6 or earlier, it may be possibles to convert the .avi files to QuickTime .mov files using tools from 3ivx.

You will need...

• QuickTime 6 or later.
• 3ivx MPEG-4 CODEC.
• 3ivx DivX Doctor II.

Procedure

1. Download and install 3ivx MPEG-4 CODEC per the installation instructions in the ReadMe file.
2. Download and install 3ivx DivX Doctor II, again per its included instructions. Note that the installation instructions specify numerous additional downloads you can get, but we have found them unnecessary in Mac OS X 10.2 or later.
3. Drag and drop .avi files onto DivX Doctor II. They will be converted into .mov files and stored on your hard drive at the location you specify.
4. While some .avi files fail to convert — again, none of these methods are foolproof — the resulting .mov files generally play flawlessly in QuickTime. This method may also fix problems with the soundtrack on AVIs that do not play properly using only the DivX for Mac CODEC.

Try the DivX for Mac CODEC

Many AVIs can be played in QuickTime by installing the freeware DivX for Mac CODEC. While this plug-in has been continuously improved, the sound in some AVIs will sometimes be either missing or distorted. [1]

Related links

• VideoHelp is an excellent site offering a plethora of information on video formats.

Notes

[1] Both the 3ivx D4 and DivX for Mac CODECs must be installed in the Macintosh HD > Library > QuickTime folder. However, both CODECs can not be in this folder simultaneously and work with QuickTime as they conflict. If you decide to keep both CODECs , you must temporarily disable one while using the other. To do this:

1. Quit QuickTime Player.
2. Open the Macintosh HD > Library > QuickTime folder.
3. Move — click and drag while pressing the Command key — the CODEC you do not want to use to a temporary folder or to your Desktop.
4. Open QuickTime Player.

AVI is one of the most used formats for videos, especially online. To enjoy using AVI files, you need to know which player(s) to use. This is the purpose of this article: to recommend to you AVI players and how to play AVI files on Mac and Windows. Also, you will be shown how to fix the issues that prevent your AVI videos from playing.

Part 1: How Can You Play AVI Files on Mac?

1. What Apps Can Play AVI Files on Mac?

It is curious to note that AVI format was created by Microsoft. However, you will discover that, with the use of certain software, you can play AVI files on Mac. Some of this software include:

Can Mac Play Avi Files

• Elmedia Player: This player has been endowed with many great features. The user interface has been designed to be so simple that even new Mac users can be able to go through it without hiccups. It plays even damaged AVI files.

• VLC Media Player: VLC is another free app you can use to play AVI files on Mac. This player allows for video customization using its settings, as well as control over the process of video play. The interface is simple and easy to use.

• MPlayerX: This player combines the abilities of two open-source players namely Mplayer and FFmpeg. It optimizes the use of the storage space. MplayerX is the ideal AVI player if you like applications that let you go straight to the point when it comes to using them

• DivX Player: This player's settings are user-friendly. Its wide array of toolset makes it capable of producing exceptional video and audio playback. DivX supports the burning of media files into discs and lets you stream music, videos, and photos.

Whenever your AVI videos get corrupted, you can get the solutions to repair damaged AVI files.

2. What is the Best AVI Player for Mac?

Apple has designed QuickTime for its classic devices like Mac. Users can handle QuickTime easier than the average AVI player for Mac. It is a versatile tool that can handle different video formats, sound, and even panoramic images. QuickTime Player has an in-built advanced compression technology that works very well for HD videos; the storage space can be effectively managed and the bandwidth is less utilized. For video files in AVI format, this is good news because AVI files are known to be normally large. With the easy slider on DivX, you can playback your videos on a speed that is three times the one you would normally play.

3. How to Play AVI Files on Your Mac

1. Play AVI Files with A Smart AVI Player: This process involves adding a plugin like QuickTime's Perian, an open-source component that enables you to playback videos in formats that are naturally not compatible with Mac, formats like AVI. Download Perian and play AVI videos using the following:

1. Open the Perian disk image and double-click the Perian icon. This serves the purpose of installing and updating all of the app's components.

2. Perform a drag and drop to get the QuickTime components to your user library.

3. Restart any program that uses QuickTime. Now you can play your AVI videos without stress.

2. Play AVI Files with Media Player: With the right software, you can play AVI files on Mac. Below is how to use VLC, for example:

• Go online, download the VLC application for Mac, and properly get it installed on your system.
• Open the installed VLC and select 'File' from its main menu. Next, select 'Open File' from the menu that drops down from 'File'
• This is where you will find the file you want to play, select it.
• Select 'Open File' to start playing your AVI video file.class='img-fluid' alternatively, drag the AVI file you want to play and drop it on the VLC interface to begin playing.

Part 2: How Can You Play AVI Files on Windows

1. What Plays AVI Format on Windows?

There is an ample list of tools you can use to play AVI files on Windows; find out below:

1. SM Player: This is a popular AVI player that is not restricted by codecs. With this player, you can play not only AVI files, but MKV, MPEG-TS, M2TS, and others. It has extensive features, at the same time, it's easy to use.

2. KM Player: This player supports media files in formats such as AVI, WMV, FLV, ASF, etc. This shows how versatile the player is. It does not consume a lot of data or storage space and you can customize videos to suit your preferences when using KM player.

3. RulesPlayer: This AVI player can be used on Windows 10 and other operating systems to watch videos and listen to the audio. RulesPlayer produces videos with high quality. The audio playback is amazing and you can add any plugins you need to customize your media files here.

4. Plex: This free AVI player is capable of handling several functions because of its great features that work not only on Windows-based systems but Mac, Android, iOS, etc. You can sort all your videos according to TV shows and films. Also, you can continue from where you stopped on whichever device you use with the feature called 'Bookmark'.

You can go to this guide where we talk about the solutions to fix 'Windows Media Player Cannot Playback Video Files'. Also the tips to solve Windows 10 won't play AVI files issue.

2. Which Player is Best for AVI Files on Windows?

The VLC media player can be referred to as the most preferable player for AVI videos because of its ability to excel where other players fail. This player is free and open-source and because of its framework, VLC can play virtually any format of the media file. Its major features also include:

• Its capability in handling different video and audio streams, as well as rtmp:// protocol
• Its codecs make it possible for videos in formats as AVI, DVDs, MKV, to be played. It can also play videos in BluRay and HD
• It is flexible, open-source, lightweight and stable

3. How to Play AVI Files on Your Windows Computer

Use the following methods to successfully play AVI files on your Windows Computer:

1. Check Installed Codecs: There are pre-installed codecs in each new version of Windows, required for the playing of media files on Windows Media Player. With the steps below, you can verify the codecs on your Windows Media Player:

1. Go to 'Menu' in the Windows Media Player program. Click 'Help' and select 'About Windows Media Player'.

2. The link for 'Technical Support Information' is found at the bottom left of the window you just opened; click on it.

3. This will open the webpage containing all the required technical information. Hence, you can browse through to see all the video and audio codecs installed on your Windows Media Player.

2. Download and Install Codec: To play AVI videos effectively, you need the right codecs. You can configure Windows Media Player to make it automatically download codecs whenever it is required. Just do these:

1. Go to 'Tools > 'Options' > 'Player'.

2. Check the box that says 'Download codecs automatically'. Select 'OK'.

Part 3: Further Knowledge about AVI File Format

1. What's AVI File Format?

AVI stands for Audio Video Interleave and it was developed by Microsoft as a container in which multimedia content can be stored. The structure of the AVI file format is based on the Resource Interchange File Format (RIFF). This implies that information in files are divided into blocks and each is tagged as 'AVI'. Furthermore, the AVI file is divided into several sections.

AVI is a popular format used to play movies, video clips online, which can be streamed online. This is because AVI has proven itself to produce high-quality output. AVI supports the synchronization of audios and videos during playback. This format can be played on KM Player, VLC Media Player, and so on.

2. Common AVI Playback Problems:

When playing media files using AVI format, there are several errors that you may encounter. They are discussed below:

• Uninstalled Video Codec: This error occurs when Windows Media Player is unable to play your AVI file because it cannot find the correct codec to use. The audio may play but the video will not, an indication that the video codec required for the video to play is not installed. Also, without the necessary video codec, the media player will not be able to sync both audio and video. You may also see an error message saying the file format is invalid.
• Video File Not Playing: Sometimes when you try to play a video in the AVI file format, you may get an error message like 'Invalid File Format Error= 8004022F', 'Cannot playback the file. The format is not supported. Error= 80040265' or 'Video not available, cannot find 'VIDS: xxxx' decompressor'. This is also related to the missing codec problem. Also, if your media player tries to download the codec to play your AVI file with and doesn't find one, then you will see any of these error messages.
• Glitches in Video: If your AVI file gets interrupted when you are downloading, it could cause some errors. The file may become invalid when you try to playback. Also, this could come from corruption in the storage device used to store the media files, codec issues, and media players that are not updated.
• Video Plays but Audio does not: If you have this symptom while playing your AVI file, then it is a clear indication that there is a problem with your sound driver. If you have not updated the audio drivers of your system, you may encounter this problem.

Part 4: Ultimately Repair Not Playing AVI Videos

AVI videos can refuse to play because of one error after the other. The silver lining is that you have come to the place where you will find a solution to this problem.

1. Repair Corrupted AVI Videos with Recoverit

The number one solution for the ultimate repair of your AVI videos that have refused to play is Recoverit Video Repair. This tool repairs videos that have been corrupted during transfer, editing, conversion, or processing.

With Recoverit Video Repair, you can fix the errors in your AVI files using the 'Quick' repair mode. On the other hand, you can use the information in a sample video to repair severely corrupted videos under the 'Advance repair' mode.

This system works because the sample video is a working file made from the same device as your corrupted video, in addition to both videos being of the same format. This tool can also sync your audio and video so neither is silent nor slower than the other.

Now what is left is for you to use the steps below to repair your AVI videos so that they can be played:

Step 1: Add Your Corrupt Video File.

Click on the 'Add' button or select the 'Add video and start repairing' option on the Recoverit Video Repair interface to do this.

Can Mac Open Avi Files Without

Step 2: Start the Repair Process

This step applies to 'Quick mode'. Recoverit Video Repair will begin a scan to repair the errors in your video files.

Step 3: Preview and Save Videos

After the video repair is completed, you will see a message prompting. Click 'OK' to preview and save the repaired AVI files.

Step 4: Add Sample Video (Advance Repair)

Now for those badly corrupted videos that have not been fixed through quick repair, add sample video files to proceed with the advanced repair.

How To Open Avi Files On A Mac

Step 5: Save Repaired Videos

After Recoverit Video Repair has analyzed the sample video, you can rest assured that your severely damaged videos will be fixed. All you need to do is preview the video and save it.

2. Restore System to Restore Point: You can restore your Windows to its previous restore point if the problem of videos not playing began recently. The steps below will guide you:

1. Jointly press 'Windows' key and 'X' keys on your keyboard. Then select the 'Run' option.

2. Type the following in the text box: 'rstrui.exe'. Next, select 'OK'. This action is to take you to the 'System Restore' window.

3. Choose 'Next' and from the list that will appear, click on the restore point of your choice.

4. End by selecting 'Next' > 'Finish'.

Can't Open Avi File Mac

Part 5: Helpful Tips for Playing AVI Videos

When it comes to playing AVI videos, you need some tips or guidelines that will help you get the best from this format. Some of these tips are enumerated below:

• If your AVI file is having trouble playing, convert it to another media file format such as MP4 before playing the video again.
• Ensure you use the right codec to play AVI videos. It has been established that most problems that cause AVI videos not to play seem to come from the correct video codec missing.
• Choose the media player that best suits your AVI videos. A list has been provided for you to choose from in the sections above.
• Note that AVI files require bigger storage space when compared to other video formats, therefore, you need devices with big storage capacity to play AVI videos.
• If you use some codecs to compress an AVI video online, it is those same codecs that must be used to extract and play the AVI videos.

This article has succeeded in giving you a comprehensive list of players to use for AVI files, how to use them, and in case of your AVI videos not playing, how to fix them. The ultimate tool you can rely on to repair your damaged AVI video files is Recoverit Video Repair.