How Can I Open Avi Files On Mac

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It's a common situation that people can't import AVI to iMovie successfully. For instance, iMovie only recognizes the image in the loaded video; it will grey out the import window or even crashes suddenly. The root cause of the problem lies in the fact the some codecs such as Xvid or DivX used in the AVI (Audio Video Interleave) file are incompatible with iMovie, because iMovie only supports formatsMP4, M4V, MOV video files and AVI with MJPEG data (iMovie 11/9/8) so far.

AVI is an open file container originally developed/adopted by Microsoft who later abandoned it (about a dozen years ago) in favor of its more modern Windows Media product. The container is still supported by QTX but files are only playable if encoded with Motion JPEG video with almost any form of PCM encoded audio. Steps to play AVI on Mac with Cisdem Video Player. Download and launch the freeware. Drag AVI movie to the software. Open the software. You can see a pretty crisp and elegant interface. Drag any format video directly from your movie folder to the app. So, when you want to play a AVI file on Mac and QuickTime fails to play the AVI video, then you can employ below techniques. VLC Player: VLC is an effective AVI player for Mac. It the easiest and free-way of playing AVI file on Mac.

Does that mean people cannot import AVI videos to iMovie to edit those clips? Luckily, there are simple and effective methods to convert AVI to iMovie format at one go. By converting the video beforehand, you can put any video to iMovie for editing immediately.

How to Convert AVI to iMovie?

Convert AVI to iMovie Easily with the Best Free Video Converter

MacX Video Converter Free Edition is a free yet fast video converter. It enables both novice users and advanced users to convert AVI to iMovie supported format such as mov, m4v, mp4 as well as 200 more formats, while retaining excellent video and audio quality. After the fast video conversion ends, you can import the video to iMovie directly and edit it in iMovie to create your own video clip.

How to Convert AVI to iMovie within a Few Clicks?

Step 1 Load the source AVI video

Free download the video converting software, and then run this program. Click 'Add File' button to browse the AVI video you want to convert to iMovie. You can convert multiple AVI files at a time.

Step 2 Choose the output format

Select 'iMovie' in the output format area. The AVI converter has configured many profiles for users to select any one of their choice. Meanwhile, the video and audio parameters are also customizable for the experienced users.

Step 3 Select the output folder

Click the 'Browse' button and choose the location where you would like to save the converted file after the software completes the AVI to iMovie video conversion.

Step 4 Start AVI to iMovie conversion

Click 'RUN' button and the software will begin to convert AVI to iMovie at fast speed. To import avi to iMovie, you can convert avi to MOV, MP4, M4V, or select iMovie directly.

Step 5: Import AVI to iMovie

After the conversion, launch iMovie and choose File > Import > Movies to import converted AVI video into iMovie. And now you can start editing.

Meanwhile, if you wish to play AVI on iPad, iPhone or other smart gadgets, this AVI to iMovie converter will help you realize it. Besides owning the capability to convert AVI to MP4, MOV, iPad, iPhone format, MacX Video Converter Free Edition also works as a full-featured Mac video converter that let users convert among tons of 4K, HD and regular videos such as MKV to MP4 format, AVCHD, M2TS, MOV, MPEG, FLV, etc with optimal file size and best quality and transfer the video to a iPad, iPhone, Android phone, Blackberry without any hassle.

How to Convert AVI to iMovie with Handbrake

Handbrake is another free way to convert AVI to iMovie MP4 format. This free video converter can convert almost any video format to MP4, which iMovie should definitely be able to handle.

Step 1 Import AVI videos

How Do I Open Avi Files On My Mac

Open Handbrake and click Source to choose your Source. Select your Video File and browse to the AVI videos thatyou want to convert to iMovie MP4 file, or, drag and drop it.

Step 2 Select the output folder

In the Destination section, name the file (include the .mp4 extension) and browse towhere you would like to save it. NOTE: If you do not set a destination for the fileit will not work.

Step 3 Select MP4 output format

In the Output Setting section, select MP4 as the output format for iMovie. Under the Video section, you can further adjust the MP4 parameters such as the codec, quality, frame rate, etc.

Step 4 Start AVI to iMovie MP4 conversion

Once all the settings are finished, click the Start button on the top bar. Handbrake is also fast. Then you can import the converted AVI videos into iMovie without error.

To play AVI files on Macs, we need to get a clear knowledge of the AVI format and its feature, and then choose the best video player to play AVI movies smoothly.

AVI, Audio Video Interleaved, is a multimedia container format introduced by Microsoft as part of its Video for Windows software. To open AVI files, your player must support all of these codecs. But Mac's built-in video player - QuickTime is unable to recognize and play AVI files. This article would introduce the best AVI player for Mac, and show you the step-by-step guide on how to play AVI on Mac.

Hot Search: Best Video Player for Mac | 4K Player for Mac

  • >> How to Play AVI on Macs with the Best Video Player
  • >> How to Play AVI Files on Macs Using QuickTime
  • >> Recommend More AVI Players for Mac

How to Play AVI on Mac with the Best AVI Player?

Cisdem Video Player is a 100% FREE AVI player for Mac to play video / audio files of more than 50 formats (including 4K/5K/1080p HD videos) with no codec packs needed, like WMV, AVI, ASF, 3GP, MPG, MP4, M2T, MOV, MP3, OGG, and all popular HD video formats, etc.

It offers lots personalized video playing features, like load subtitle files automatically and manually, take snapshots, De-interlacing, set soundtracks, etc. All images are displayed clearly and crisply. It lets you enjoy smooth video playing without any bugs and artifacts. Every image, every action, still or moving, is delicately displayed. In all, it is absolutely one of the best AVI players for Mac that you shouldn’t miss out.

Steps to play AVI on Mac with Cisdem Video Player

Step 1. Download and launch the freeware.

Step 2. Drag AVI movie to the software

How Can I Open Avi Files On Mac

Open the software. You can see a pretty crisp and elegant interface. Drag any format video directly from your movie folder to the app.

How Can I Open Avi Files On Mac Keyboard

Step 3. Open AVI file on Mac

Click the play button, and start to watch your AVI movie imported.

If you want to watch another one when playing one movie with this video player, you can drag the second one to replace the first one and start your new watching.

Look at the toolbar on the top menu. There are many practical tools in this professional AVI player that can be used for some personalized settings.

1. In the 'Audio' or , you can choose the stereo from Mono, Stereo, Left Channel, Right Channel.

2. Use its feature of 'Subtitle' and add external subtitles in .ASS, .SRT format and in the language you are familiar with.

3. Control the 'Playback' progress, stop, step forward, step backward, take screenshots, etc.

4. Retain file open recently and playback at your will.

5. Click “Window” or the sign at right top corner of the screen to check the media info of the loaded video.

How Can I Open Avi Files On Mac Drive

6. Click to take a snapshot of your favorite video visual image as save as wallpaper or poster.

7. This free AVI player Mac enables you to make the video screen to the biggest ratio. You can just drag its corner to the bigger screen size, or go to click 'Playback' > 'Full Screen'.

8. In-app purchase: It needs to pay $9.99 to unlock the conversion function. So you can convert AVI to MP4, M4V, MKV, iPhone, and more.

Mac

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Use the best AVI converter for Mac to:

  • Convert videos up to 200+ formats, including AVI, MOV, M4V, FLV, MKV, etc.
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How to Play AVI Files on Macs Using QuickTime Player?

QuickTime, a popular multimedia technology with a built-in media player, lets you play and view Internet video, HD movie trailers, and personal media in a wide range of file formats. But QuickTime Player only natively plays AVI (Motion JPEG), not all .avi movies.

How Can I Open Avi Files On Mac

In this case, you can install a plug-in like Perian, which is a free open-source QuickTime component that enables your Mac to play almost any movie format including AVI files. So you can open AVI files on Mac as easily as it does the native QuickTime video format.

Note: The latest version 1.2.3 of Perian is not compatible with Mac OS X Mavericks (10.9), Mountain Lion (10.8), and Lion (10.7). Moreover, since QuickTime version 10, Perian has no longer been supported.

Steps to play AVI on Mac OS X 10.4.7 or higher via QuickTime (10 or later not included):

Step 1. Download and install Perian from https://perian.org/.

After installation, it will be listed inside System Preferences, not the Applications folder, as it's a preference pane.

Step 2. Right-click the AVI file, and open it with QuickTime Player.

To uninstall Perian, navigate to 'System Preferences', right-click on the Perian icon and simply click the Remove “Perian” Preference Pane command.

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Another way is to use the 3ivx MPEG-4 codec.

QuickTime 6 or 7 can open 3ivx MPEG-4 encoded videos including 3ivx AVI files without installing Perian or other components.

If the above method is not compatible with your QuickTime or Mac, and you still rely on QuickTime, I advise you to convert AVI to other formats that QuickTime supported, like .mov, .mp4, .m4v, MPEG-1, 3GPP, 3GPP2, AVCHD, DV, etc.

Recommend More AVI Players for Mac

#1. VLC

VLC is a free video player for you to play AVI on Mac. It supports playing multiple media formats. You are able to add subtitles to your video files, set the audio and video’s preferences as well, and easily control the playing process. But it comes with a basic interface, less awesome video visual effect, and less intuitive.

Just launch the application and, in the resulting VLC media player window, drag in the movie you want to watch and it will start playing.

#2. Plex

Plex is an excellent AVI player for Mac that helps you play and manage AVI without glitch. This program optimizes playback of nearly any type of media file, like AVI, MP4, FLV, WMV, etc., and streams all of your media to all your devices anytime and anywhere. Meanwhile, Plex has a media server so you can save your AVI videos into the service. But the operation of it is a bit difficult for beginners who only want to play AVI files on Mac.

#3. Elmedia Player

Elmedia Player applied hardware acceleration technology capable of playing AVI in a softer manner. You can load all AVI files in a playlist, adjust their playback speed, and audio/subtitles delay. But most functions of this AVI player for Mac are not free, such as customizing video tuner/advanced streaming/audio settings, etc. and even capturing a screenshot.

Conclusion

How Can I Play A .avi File On Mac

After reading this article, you should know how to play AVI on Mac. The best free media player you can try is Cisdem Video Player. It comes with a more intuitive interface and lets you enjoy a more crisp and higher definition video visual effect. You can easily take snapshots, resume media files, and control the play process. Do you like this outstanding AVI player Mac? Come to download its free trial version and experience your AVI HD movies.