Quicktime/ MOV/ Codecs

[g_shocker182]

First off, I'm not familiar with quicktime products. Here's the Q: Are there different codecs associated with MOV files? What are they called so I can find them?

[D_Knife]

Are there different codecs associated with MOV files?

Absolutely, just as AVI is a "container" for audio and video codecs Quicktime is the same.

Quicktime, currently ver 6 - comes with "most" of the codecs available but there are others out, it seems wavelet and low-bitrate streaming are popular - most of them are not free.

And most of them only work on Apple OS's - however there are more and more that are offering Windows versions now.

Was it a general question?? or are you looking for a specific codec??
search engines come up with heaps of hits on this topic as well.

[Cornucopia]

(Nearly full) Example of Video codecs for QT6 (most are cross-platform, a few-*- also have corresponding AVI codecs):

• Uncompressed*
  3ivX*
  Component 4:2:2 YUV
  Animation
  Apple DV-PAL*
  Apple DV-NTSC*
  AVID MJPEG AVBV/NuVista*
  AVID MJPEG/JFIF Meridien Compressed*
  AVID Meridien Uncompressed YUV*
  Blackmagic 10bit
  Blackmagic 8bit
  BMP (sequence)*
  Cinepak*
  Component Video
  DivX 5.07*
  DVCPRO-PAL
  Graphics (8-16bit RGB)
  H261*
  H263*
  Indeo 3.2*
  Indeo 4.4*
  Indeo 5.1*
  Intel RAW*
  MNG
  MPEG4 (apple/iso version)
  MotionJPEG A
  MotionJPEG B
  MSVideo1*
  On2VP3*
  PhotoJPEG
  Planar RGB
  PNG
  Radius Soft DV
  Sorenson2
  Sorenson3
  Spherous Sphere
  TGA (Targa sequence)*
  TIFF (Tiff sequence)*
  Targa Trumotion2x (later became DUCK, then On2)*
  VideoPump
  ZygoVideo
  ...and MPEG2* with cost of additional plugin.

That's almost as much as many as AVI has. 8)

Scott

[g_shocker182]

Was it a general question?? or are you looking for a specific codec??
search engines come up with heaps of hits on this topic as well.

Well I downloaded this MOV file (movie trailer) and it plays no audio -- I assumed it was because of codec probelms/ lack thereof codecs. Am I wrong?

Where can I get a bundle of codecs like K-Lite Codec Packet, for Apple MOV files?

[D_Knife]

hmm I don't think so....

[edit]
I mean I don't think so on the codec pack deal - I think most quicktime codecs are more business orientated

by all means it's probably why you can't hear any audio though

[Cornucopia]

I have had this happen a number of times lately. It usually boils down to the sound be compressed as AAC, which is ONLY available in QT6. It's a core component of 6, so you can't just download it.

You can always download and upgrade to QT6, but beware: If you have QT4 or 5 Pro, you're gonna have to cough up another ~$29US to enable QT6 Pro. If you use QT at all on a regular basis, it's probably worth it. Just 1 more corporate gotcha!

HTH,
Scott

[g_shocker182]

I updated to QT6 and the movie went perfectly. Thanks

[BJ_M]

plus these ones (excuse if i repeated some)

BOXX HD(various)
ToasterHD (avi also)
Microcosm
BitJazz SheerVideo
MPEG-4 Apple
Avid ABVB AVR 75
Avid Meridien Compressed 2:1
Avid NuVista
Photo JPEG
Aurora Igniter
Aurora 10-bit eXtreme
Avid Meridien Uncompressed
Black Magic 10-bit Trillions
Digital Voodoo Millions
Digital Voodoo Trillions
Media100 Lossless
Pinnacle Cinewave 8-bit
Pinnacle Cinewave 16-bit

[Gurm]

I _think_ the new QuickTime Alternative, while kind of in a nebulous legal grey area, includes the QT6 core now.

- Gurm

[BJ_M]

I _think_ the new QuickTime Alternative, while kind of in a nebulous legal grey area, includes the QT6 core now. :)

- Gurm

only plays core qt files i understand ... but a step in the right direction as many dont like to install qt6 as it keeps wanting totake over things even if you tell it not to --- plus its an ugly GUI

[eagle063]

Im kinda new to Quicktime, so this codec thing is crazy to me. Im trying to convert a wmv video file to mov and there are choices audio and video compressors. Now, this video is for a class project, so, it doesnt have to be the best looking video. What does anyone suggest for a good (or average) audio and video compressor.

[Cornucopia]

I'm going to assume you aren't using a Mac...

Open your WMV in Windows Movie Maker, drop into the timeline (the whole show) and export/SaveMovie as DV-AVI.

Then run this through DVDate, converting from Type1 to Type2.

Then, you can use a number of tools (including QuicktimePro itself) to convert this resulting DV-AVI file to MOV.

re: Which codec...

This all depends on what you're planning to do with the file--
1. Edit: DV, MJPEG, Uncompressed/None, PlanarRGB, Animation, etc are good codecs
2. Distribute via disc: MPEG1, MPEG2 (for DVD, etc), DivX/Xvid, h.264 etc.
3. Distribute via web: MPEG4, On2, ZygoVideo

The WMV is probably a type 2 or 3 from above, you should likely set your codec's bitrate to be equal to are slightly greater than the WMV's bitrate (as WMV is pretty efficient), with the exception of h.264.

Audio has similar types, but to make it easier--
1. Edit: Keep as uncompressed LPCM (like WAV)
2. Distribute: use MP3 or MP4/AAC (difficult to

That'll at least get you started. You'll want to learn more and try many variations so you can find what works best for your particular situation.

Scott