AVI is a multimedia container format developed by Microsoft. Which contains both Audio and video data in a file container that helps audio synchronize with video playback. AVI stores data in the form of tagged chunks of information as a sub-format.
Many Mac users are curious to know “how to play AVI files on Mac”.
AVI Format
If AVI files have issues playing on Mac’s QuickTime player, one of the main reasons could be the incompatible codec. A codec is a compressor/decompressor that is useful in understanding the video or audio tracks in an AVI file for your Media player. If the codec in the AVI is not compatible with QuickTime, Mac cannot play AVI files.
AVI file Format is divided into 3 sub chunks.
- The first one carries metadata that includes the size of the file and frame rate.
- The second sub-chunk is a movi tag that carries actual audio and video information of an AVI file.
- The third (idx1 tag) is an optional chunk that holds the information about the Offset (address of the destination or reaching point within the file).
Why AVI files Cannot be Played on Mac?
QuickTime fails to open or play video files if the AVI index is broken or any of the codecs(chunks) used to encode the video are not available in QuickTime Player. To overcome this, you need to include the codec that supports AVI files on Mac.
However, this is now typically an old issue unless you’re using an outdated version of QuickTime to play AVI files on a Mac (AVI was originally called Video for Windows), as QuickTime supports VFM formats. Nevertheless, the issue with AVI files and QuickTime players exists.
How to Play AVI in QuickTime On Mac?
Here are a few methods that explain how to make .avi files play on a Mac. Follow the below-mentioned methods to solve the AVI file not compatible with QuickTime and make your unplayable AVI files play.
Fix 1: Install an Add-on or a plugin to play AVI files on a Mac
QuickTime may sometimes not be able to play your AVI file because of incompatibility. However, with the help of a support program, you can play the AVI file without much interruption.
Add-On or the Plugin is a supporting software that would help you play any video format that you desire. Using a suitable plugin is one of the ways you can use to make your AVI file playable on Mac. Hence, download a suitable plugin for your QuickTime and enjoy your AVI files on your Mac.
Fix 2: Download and Install the Supporting Codec
A specific compression technique creates an AVI file. There are many ways to create or compress an AVI file. If the QuickTime player is not compatible with that precise compression method, it fails to open the file. However, by installing the right codecs on your Mac that support the file, you can play AVI files.
You can go to the Divx website and download the AVI supporting codec.
Fix 3: Try a Different Media Player to Play AVI Files
QuickTime should be enough to play an AVI file. But if it does not work despite downloading a new codec or plugin, you may try a different media player altogether. One of the most widely used and recommended software to play AVI files is the VLC media player. Download the Mac version of the VLC player, and then play your AVI file flawlessly.
Additional Info: Also, if not for VLC you can browse the Mac app store to find a suitable AVI player to play your file. Do make sure to include the file extension (in this case .avi) in the search query to find the appropriate AVI media player.
Also Read: VLC Player crashing and not responding on Windows and Mac OS
Fix 4: Play AVI Files on macOS by Converting AVI to MOV
QuickTime is highly compatible with MOV videos. Hence, by converting the AVI to MOV file you will have a better chance to play the unplayable AVI file. To do so, you can download AVI converter software on the Mac app store and convert the AVI to MOV. Once done, you can play the unplayable AVI files as MOV files on Mac.
Corrupt AVI Files?
If you have tried all the above-mentioned methods to play AVI files on Mac and still there exists a problem playing AVI files on QuickTime, this could be due to the corruption in the video file. To fix corruption on AVI files. You can make use of the most recommended tool video repair tool.
Fix 5: Repair Corrupt AVI Files Using SFWare Video Repair Tool
SFWare Video Repair tool is one of the most recommended tools to fix the issue with AVI files that cannot play on Mac. The added advantage of the tool is it works only in read-only mode therefore the integrity of the file is unaltered. The tool works by analyzing the audio and video streams separately to identify any audio & video issues.
Steps to Fix Corrupt AVI Files and Play on Mac
Download and install the SFWare AVI Repair tool on your Mac and follow the steps.
- From the main screen, select the AVI Repair option
- In the next step, Browse for the corrupted AVI file on your Mac
- Click on Repair to fix the corrupted AVI file
- After fixing the file browse, for a location and click on Save to save the fixed AVI file.
Note: Refer to this article to learn how to troubleshoot the AVI Video Only Plays Audio issue.
Conclusion
Using the above-mentioned methods, you can easily play AVI files on your Mac. If your AVI files are not playable on Mac, you should keep your QuickTime player updated in a timely manner to avoid any errors. Despite your cautious approach, if you are not able to open AVI files on Mac, try using the SFWare Video repair tool.
