Comments on David Alison's Blog: Mac: Playing media is easier with VLC

David,I have some troubles playing my downloaded x...

2008-06-28T17:48:00.000-04:00

David,

I have some troubles playing my downloaded x264 movies on my MBP. VLC seems to lag when trying to play these videos. Someone at work highly recommended MPlayer, which works just about on any platform. I know this is an older post but I have enjoyed reading your blogs today.

Download MPlayer

@BriBerry: I assume it's because they aren't using...

2008-05-09T18:25:00.000-04:00

@BriBerry: I assume it's because they aren't using someone else's library and it's custom written - hence no license fees.

Yea I didn't think so what with the amount of copi...

2008-05-09T17:55:00.000-04:00

Yea I didn't think so what with the amount of copies they distribute. How does that work though, that Apple has to pay license fees but the writers and distributers of VLC don't? Is it because of the GNU public license?

@BriBerry: Not that I'm aware of. Since it's open ...

2008-05-09T17:38:00.000-04:00

@BriBerry: Not that I'm aware of. Since it's open source and ships with everything you need I don't know if there were licenses involved in the initial building and deployment of it.

Does VLC have to pay those same license fees?

2008-05-09T13:31:00.000-04:00

Does VLC have to pay those same license fees?

The MOD format tends to be an Mpeg 2 Video stream ...

2008-04-14T15:21:00.000-04:00

The MOD format tends to be an Mpeg 2 Video stream coupled with Dolby Audio (in AC3 format). (That seems to be the case with this camera according to the specs).

Now, for me, I simply *rename* the MOD file to MPG and QuickTime is intelligent enough to pick up the non-standard audio codec and should play it back - You may need the QuickTime Mpeg 2 components installed (although these tend to be for *writing* mpeg 2 files). I'm not sure what the Windows utility is doing, but it's probably working against you in this instance!!

Try grabbing the MOD raw from the camera and renaming it, and see how that goes!

For QuickTime mpeg 2 components (they're not free, but they are relatively inexpensive):
http://www.apple.com/quicktime/mpeg2/

[Before anyone grouches about apple not including them for free - Apple have to pay a licensing fee for mpeg 2, much like any other company, so instead of bundling them and charging everyone, they reduce the price of the OS by only charging those who need it]

I've been using VLC for a while now. I first came ...

2008-03-28T11:44:00.000-04:00

I've been using VLC for a while now. I first came across it when I started running an ubuntu partition a year or so ago.

The only gripe I have with it is ocasionally when I put several items into a play list it freezes. This could just be my experience though.

Glad you're liking VLC.

@Eldfisco: Already had that installed but it could...

2008-03-28T09:07:00.000-04:00

@Eldfisco: Already had that installed but it couldn't play the MPEG file I was given. My friend's a Windows user and he used a small utility that would convert the MOD files he got from his Panasonic camera into an MPG format that worked with Windows Media Player. Very frustrating.

Hi David, maybe this tool can help you? Flip4mac

2008-03-28T08:40:00.000-04:00

Hi David, maybe this tool can help you? Flip4mac

@Anon: Looks interesting - thanks for the link. I ...

2008-03-28T08:06:00.000-04:00

@Anon: Looks interesting - thanks for the link. I downloaded and installed it but it would not help QuickTime play the MPEG files a friend sent me. So far only VLC has pulled that one off. Still, a nice find - I appreciate it helpful nameless person!

One nice alternative is to install Perian. It add...

2008-03-28T07:48:00.000-04:00

One nice alternative is to install Perian. It adds native Quicktime support for many formats. Before installing Perian I had problems with Quicktime playing videos with no sound. Since installing it I haven't come across a video (that I wanted to see) that it wouldn't play correctly.