converting avi to mac

May 4, 2008 7:47 AM

I've been sent a very short clip I'd like to use in a presentation, but, familiar problem here, it's an .avi sent from a Windows machine. All I can seem to coax out it for my MacBook Pro, using VLC, etc., is sound. Can anyone suggest the best way to go about generating a quicktime mov or some such, with video, from this clip for my Mac? Is there a way to get a Windows emulator, and covert it there for something to play back in the Mac environment? Or something easier? Thanks in advance for any suggestions...
posted by dearleader to computers & internet (17 comments total)

Try downloading and installing Perian.
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 7:52 AM on May 4

It's odd that VLC only produces the sound. Usually VLC has the codecs to play, pretty much everything.

Check to see if Perian can see it.

Now, I recently got asked a question about Camtasia, which has two of their own specific (but available) codecs.

A question back to you: What created the Avi?

Windows emulation: sure, you can use virtual PC (dead, it's the only real solution for PowerPC macs - couldn't find a link..), and Bootcamp/parallels/vmfusion and crossover.

Bootcamp, parallels and vm fusion will require a copy of windows.
Crossover won't, but there's tons of windows software it won't run (it's based on WINE- Wine Is Not an Emulator, and mimics a number of essential libraries that windows depends on.)
posted by filmgeek at 7:59 AM on May 4

These are great suggestions... but Perian doesn't seem to work either... unfortunately, I'm not sure what created the AVI... specific software I think for a specific image recording device. It's a challenge!

Is there any place you can upload a file like that into a youtube sort of environment, then translate it using keepvid or some such?
posted by dearleader at 8:08 AM on May 4

Is there any place you can upload a file like that into a youtube sort of environment, then translate it using keepvid or some such?

Well, yes, why not Youtube itself? You can upload it and then use any number of Youtube downloader websites or software. That's assuming youtube knows about this weird file type.
posted by neustile at 8:12 AM on May 4

Can you open it up in Quicktime Player and tell us what codec was used to create it?

Open the movie, pull down the Window menu and select Show Movie Properties. The format should indicate the codec used to compress the AVI movie track.
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 8:16 AM on May 4

How about trying MPEG Streamclip?
posted by baho at 8:25 AM on May 4

Blazecock, the format seems to be something called "IV50"

ring any bells?
posted by dearleader at 8:26 AM on May 4

Bad news, that's Intel Video 5.0

There doesn't seem to be any codec available for that video on OS X. If you have classic installed, you can use this codec.

The best solution is to tell the guy who gave it to you to re-encode in MP4 or WMV, or re-encode it yourself on a Windows machine.

Turns out people here have had this question before.
posted by demiurge at 8:38 AM on May 4

Oops, I forgot the /:

Previous question.
posted by demiurge at 8:39 AM on May 4

As usual, MPlayer saves the day. MPlayer on OS X ought to have Indeo Video 5 support, according to the latest codec status information.
posted by Inspector.Gadget at 8:42 AM on May 4

Cool, I didn't know that. Is that only on Intel based macs or does it work on older PPC macs too?
posted by demiurge at 8:48 AM on May 4

thanks, Gadget... MPlayer looks a little intense... anyone know an easy way for Mac user to download, install, and use?
posted by dearleader at 9:08 AM on May 4

Dearleader, on that page Gadget linked to, pick whether you want to download the software via HTTP or FTP.

Then, choose which localization of the software you would like to download (I'm presuming US) from the links in the second-to-last row (MPlayer OS X). You'll download a .dmg file to your desktop.

Mount that disk image and run the installer.

There are two hosts for the US version if you pick from the HTTP links, and one host if you pick from the FTP links.
posted by emelenjr at 9:43 AM on May 4

Slight alteration: There is no installer. Once you have the disk image open, drag the MPlayer icon to your Applications folder to install it.
posted by emelenjr at 9:46 AM on May 4

Please report back whether MPlayer plays IV50. Last I checked, the OS X version wasn't capable.
posted by reeddavid at 9:58 AM on May 4

I would also suggest trying You Convert It, a free online utility that converts anything to just about anything. You do have to upload, so it works better for smaller files (it may take awhile for you to upload something 1GB+).
posted by expletivization at 2:21 PM on May 4

Did you try iSquint? After you install, open the app, drag the file over there to the conversion box and see what happens.
posted by bkeene12 at 7:33 PM on May 4