Resources: Video on Mac


Video Information Sites

  • VideoHelp.com (VCD Help, DVD Help) This site contains extensive information about playing, converting and making your own video (DVDs, VCDs, SuperVCDs)
  • Digital-digest.com Dedicated to digital video formats including DivX, DVD and DVDR/RW. Features the latest news, articles, downloads, and one of the largest digital video forums
  • Andy McFadden’s CD-Recordable FAQ Answers to Frequently Asked Questions about Compact Disc Recordable technology (CD-R and CD-RW) for audio and video recording

Video Technologies

Video Components Explained

To play any video type, your Mac requires a video component (often called a codec) so that the player can recognize the video format. Fortunately, your Mac comes with many components already installed.Which component you need to install depends on which format you are trying to play, as well as on which version of the Operating System you’re running.

If you don’t have the component you need, download it from a reputable site.

Warning: There’s a scam you should be aware of. Sometimes when you download and try to play an “Adult” video, your computer will warn you that you need a particular component and then ask you if you want to install it now. When you say “Yes”, it actually installs a trojan horse that causes your computer to behave in an unexpected manner. To avoid this, don’t install components from sites you don’t know. Which component you need to install depends on which format you are trying to play, as well as on which version of the Operating System you’re running.