AVI which stands for Audio Video Interleave is a multimedia format that was created by Microsoft to serve as a file format that contains multimedia content. This kind of format can often be seen on files that are from a DVD disc. This type of video file format is perfect for watching movies and other video clips with high quality. Unfortunately for Mac users, this format has some compatibility issues with its media player which is QuickTime. This may be confusing for others, but don’t worry because I will give you the easiest ways to play avi videos on mac.
How to Convert AVI Files for Smooth Playback on Mac To begin with, free download the AVI video converter on your MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, iMac, Mac mini, or Mac Pro. Install and run it. Step 1: Click '+ Video' button to load the AVI file you want to convert for playback on Mac. If your Mac don’t meet the system requirements, try the other methods to watch AVI files, given in this post. Note 2: The developer has discontinued the support and update of Perian software. However, it is continued to be used by many to play AVI, DIVX, FLV, GVI, VP6, or MKV files on Mac.
Two Ways to Play AVI File on Mac
There are basically two easy ways on how to play avi file on mac, they both work well and can depend on. It depends on your preference to which method will you use.
For a Mac running Mountain Lion or later, converting AVI video to QuickTime is highly recommended. Elmedia Player: Universal Media Player. Flared with meeting user’s expectations, Elmedia Player is a renowned multi-media player amongst the users for playing high quality AVI files on Mac. If you’ve downloaded or were sent an AVI file you may be surprised to find it won’t play on your Mac. This is because Quicktime (the default macOS media player) doesn’t support all of the compression formats used by AVI (due to AVI being a format developed by Microsoft). It supports MJPEG, but not MPEG-1, MPEG-2, DivX, XviD, or WMV.
Solution one: convert AVI to MOV
As we all know the default video player for Mac is QuickTime. And for you to play AVI with QuickTime, you can get third party plug-ins called Perian. This application enables you to play AVI, FLV, MKV and other formats on Mac. However, this process only works on older Mac OS and is not supported by the latest Mac OS X Mountain Lion. In this case, the best option we got is to convert AVI to MOV, which is the supported video format with the QuickTime media player. The best way to convert your videos to MOV is by using a free online program which is the Video Grabber. To convert file using this program all you need to do is to:
- Visit the Video Grabber homepage
- Click convert video file and enable Java applet
- Browse for the AVI file, and choose MOV as the output format
- Press convert and just wait for your output file to finish
Tips: If you want to try another video converter, then you must try this awesome program which is the Apowersoft Free Online Video Converter. This program works well in converting files to various formats. What is good about this converter is that is gives you an option to set a specific video and audio setting for your desired output. Both video converters can help you convert AVI to MOV successfully so that you can play AVI videos on Mac.
Solution 2: Use free AVI player for Mac
Here is another way to play AVI files on Mac aside from the solution that I’ve mentioned above. If we can’t play avi with quicktime then we can use other free media player instead. Here are some of the notable free media players that can utilize to play AVI files on Mac OS.
VLC media player – This is a well known media player that performs well on any OS including Mac system. Aside from playing AVI files, this player can also read almost video file format from the smallest to the largest.
MPlayerOSX – You can also play various media formats using this program. A great program to have free of charge with a nice interface.
ELmedia Player for Mac – This great media player to have on your Mac system, it has an awesome interface that matches a Mac OS style. It can play AVI files and other media file type without any issues. For added features you can buy its Pro version.
MPEG Streamclip – This is basically a video editor and converter program that has a built in player which can play multiple media files regardless of their format.
You can still try some other player at your own risk, but for best result be sure to only use this free avi player for mac. Just be sure to download this player for a reliable website to avoid getting some malware and spyware.
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
Open the software. You can see a pretty crisp and elegant interface. Drag any format video directly from your movie folder to the app.
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.
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.
A Professional Video Converter: Easily Convert, Download & Rip Videos
Use the best AVI converter for Mac to:
- Convert videos up to 200+ formats, including AVI, MOV, M4V, FLV, MKV, etc.
- Edit AVI videos with a built-in tool, like Trim, Crop, Rotate, 3D Effects, Watermark, Subtitles, etc.
- Rip DVD movies to AVI, MP4 or other formats for playing on portable devices
- Merge all converted AVI videos into a large file
- Download online videos from 1000+ sites with the supplied media downloader
How to Play AVI Files on Macs Using QuickTime Player?
How To Watch Avi Files On Mac
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.
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.
How To Watch Avi On Mac
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.
Another way is to use the 3ivx MPEG-4 codec.
How To Watch Avi Files On Mac
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
How To Watch Avi On Macbook Pro
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 To Watch An Avi 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.