I am trying to view a police cam video that was burned on a disk. The file extension is.av but this is unrecognized by my mac. I have a MacBook Pro, Version 10.9.4. Anyone know of a converter that works with.av files (not.avi)? I have tried VLC (I think that's what it's called) to no avail. Install 3ivx MPEG-4 codec on your system to view AVI files on Mac. The codec supports all the video files with AVI extension and plays them on QuickTime and other media players on Mac. The 3ivx decoder can also play MOV, MP4, M4A, and 3GP files with MPEG-4 video and MPEG-4 AAC Audio.

The extension is the letters shown at the end of the file's name, such as.avi.wmv, or.mkv. Learn more QuickTime Player (version 10.0 and later) in OS X Mavericks through macOS Mojave converts legacy media files that use certain older or third-party compression formats. Standing for Audio Video Interleave, a file with the AVI file extension is a commonly used file format developed by Microsoft for storing both video and audio data in a single file. The AVI format is based on the Resource Interchange File Format (RIFF), a container format used to store multimedia data. This format is typically less compressed. Another suggestion for an app that will enable you to view AVI files on Mac without a problem comes from 5KPlayer. Just like the other software we presented so far, 5KPlayer can handle many video formats without needing any codecs or plugins. The list supports - but is not limited to AVI, MOP4, MKV, WMV, FLV, MOV, WMA, H.265, or 3GP.

How to Play AVI File on Mac?

• Go to Finder and select the AVI file
• Drag it onto the QuickTime Player icon

Else,

• Open Mac dock
• Launch QuickTime Player
• Go to menu
• Click on New Finder Window
• Browse the location of AVI file
• Double-click on the AVI video

This is what a typical Mac user do, to play a AVI file on Mac. But, we can’t ensure that this method always works in playing AVI files on Mac. Since QuickTime only plays native AVI files with MJPEG video.

So, when you want to play a AVI file on Mac and QuickTime fails to play the AVI video, then you can employ below techniques.

1. VLC Player: VLC is an effective AVI player for Mac. It the easiest and free-way of playing AVI file on Mac. So, you must give it a try.

• Download VLC player on your Mac
• Install it using its .dmg file
• Select the AVI file, which you want to play
• Right-click on it and opt Info
• Choose Open with and select VLC from list

2. Old QuickTime Edition: If you have the latest version of QuickTime and it fails to play any AVI file present on your Mac then go for an older version of QuickTime and try to play your videos. (QuickTime 7 plays AVI videos without any additional plug-ins or codecs)

3. Convert AVI to QuickTime video: Convert your AVI files into QuickTime videos and then play them. To convert AVI into QuickTime compatible file format,

• Launch QuickTime player
• Use export to QuickTime option in the file menu
• Browse and select the AVI file
• Ensure that destination file format is MOV
• Finish the process

You can also make use of an efficient video converter tool to convert the AVI file.

4. Use Perian Plugin: Perian is an open-source QuickTime element, which allows you to play different video formats that you are unable to play on your Mac. If you are using QuickTime as your prime player, then you can download Perian because it offers necessary codecs that help you to play AVI files on Mac.

5. Third Party AVI Players: If none of the above methods help you to play AVI files on Mac then use third party media players, which are available online.

If your AVI file fails to play even in third party AVI players, then it seems the file is corrupted. So, first your repair AVI file on Mac and then try to play it using any of the above methods.

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?

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.

How To See Avi Files On Mac

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.

How To View Avi Files On Mac

Steps to play AVI on Mac OS X 10.4.7 or higher via QuickTime (10 or later not included):

Playing Avi Files On Macbook

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.

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.

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

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.

How To View Avi On Mac

Conclusion

Playing Avi Files On Macbook Air

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.