Install the QuickTime video Swiss Army Knife

You’ve downloaded a video file with a format that is not compatible with QuickTime. Maybe an AVI, DIVX, FLV or MKV. You could use VLC to view these files, but on a Mac you just want that Apple QuickTime experience along with additional functionality such as importing these file formats into iMovie. Never fear, Perian is here. Below are the steps necessary to begin viewing these and other file formats in QuickTime.

Download Perian
:: Visit the Perian download page
:: Select the Perian dmg download link from the center of the page
:: Double-click the Perian.prefPane icon in the dmg file to install the Perian Preference Pane in System Preferences
:: Authorize the installation by entering the user password
:: Click Authorize - the Perian Preference Pane will be displayed as shown below

:: Use the default settings unless you have a specific need
:: Close the System Preferences window
:: Eject the dmg

Perian usage
:: Load QuickTime
:: Select File | Open File...
:: Use Finder to locate the file
:: Click the file
:: Click the Open button
:: Press the Play button - doesn't get any easier
:: OPTIONAL: Convert these odd file formats to a native QuickTime format by choosing File | Export...

Formats supported (from the Perian site)

• File formats: AVI, DIVX, FLV, MKV, GVI, VP6, and VFW
• Video types: MS-MPEG4 v1 & v2, DivX, 3ivx, H.264, Sorenson H.263, FLV/Sorenson Spark, FSV1, VP6, H263i, VP3, HuffYUV, FFVHuff, MPEG1 & MPEG2 Video, Fraps, Snow, NuppelVideo, Techsmith Screen Capture, DosBox Captur
• Audio types: Windows Media Audio v1 & v2, Flash ADPCM, Xiph Vorbis (in Matroska), and MPEG Layer I & II Audio, True Audio, DTS Coherent Acoustics, Nellymoser ASAO
• AVI support for: AAC, AC3 Audio, H.264, MPEG4, and VBR MP3
• Subtitle support for SSA/ASS and SRT

That should cover about any file format you find online. Have other use for Perian that I missed? Leave a comment and add to Doc’s Tech Notes.

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