macOS preview not playing all mp4 files

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Level 1

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macOS preview not playing all mp4 files

I am on Big Sur 11.2.3 version.

I have some mp4 video files which are stored in the mac HDD. I can play most of the file using the Preview (i.e. select the file and hit space bar) and the video plays. However there are some mp4 files which can't be played by this. If I choose vlc media player then these files can be played comfortably.

For the files that can be played - the finder shows a thumbnail from the video whereas for the files that can't be played there's no thumbnail - it shows the quicktime icon.

Posted on Apr 21, 2021 12:39 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Luis Sequeira1

Level 9

67,636 points

Apr 21, 2021 2:02 AM in response to sizz28

As a little addition to what dialabrain said:

in VLC, with the file open, press Command-I and click on Codec Details.

This will tell you which codecs were used to encode this video.

Many codecs are obsolete and are no longer supported on most applications.

You can convert these files to a modern codec using VLC itself, or HandBrake, to ensure your file will be usable for a long time.

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Answer 2

dialabrain

Level 10

125,621 points

Apr 21, 2021 12:50 AM in response to sizz28

The short answer is, mp4s are a container that use different video & audio codecs. Many are supported natively, some are not. VLC will play some that are not supported.

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macOS preview not playing all mp4 files

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