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A very common problem Mac users have is playing Windows Media Video (WMV) files. When your Mac tries to open WMV files by default in QuickTime, commonly you'll receive an error message along the lines of 'This is not a movie file'. The reason for this is because WMV files use Microsoft proprietary codecs that don't work in OS X. This is really annoying if someone sends you a WMV video clip by e-mail or if you want to download a WMV clip from the net.
In 2006, Microsoft discontinued making Windows Media Player for Macs meaning there was no longer a tailor made player for the WMV format for OS X. Fortunately, there are a few free and easy solutions.
Here are our top 3 WMV compatible players for Mac:
Flip4Mac Plugin This is probably the easiest solution as it enables QuickTime to playback WMV files. This plugin created by Telestream allows you to import, export and play Windows Media video and audio files on your Mac. The Flip4Mac WMV plug-in also works with other QuickTime based applications such as iMovie and Final Cut Pro meaning you can even edit WMV files on Mac too.
VLC Media Player The most versatile player out there allows you to play WMV files as well without the Flip4Mac Plugin. However, this is just a playback solution - it won't allow you to edit WMV in QuickTime supported applications, such as iMovie and Final Cut. The great thing about VLC Media Player however is that it's lightweight, fast and can handle almost any media format you throw at it.
MPlayer OSX This player emerged out of the Google Codes project as an attempt to create an all-round player. MPlayer OSX is a simple but powerful video player designed specifically for Mac and can handle WMV playback. It features more options and preferences than VLC Player with the only drawback that the first time it plays a video, it has to build a font cache which can take a while but only has to be done once.
I have Flip4Mac WMV 2.3.0.14.dmg installed in Desktop, but when QuickTime is called up to play a WMV file, I still get the error message "This is not a movie file." Is there something else I need to do with Flip4Mac to get a WMV to play?
Flip4MAc doesn't have the option for FULLSCREEN, you have to pay for it...
@Doug, The problem is probably because the file is a format that Flip4Mac either doesn't recognise or it is incomplete/corrupted. @Acabada, Thanks for the tip. Best to use VLC or MPlayer for full screen then.
I'm new to this. When I receive a WMV file, it opens as just a bunch of "jibberish" I'm new to the MAC - what do I do?
Hi Nancy, can you explain exactly what the problem is in more detail and I'll try to help :). I'm presuming that you've tried installing one of the programs mentioned above?
I have Flip4Mac on my laptop with OS X Version 10.5.8 Most of the time when I attempt to play a .wmv file all works fine. Occasionally, it will not give me the audio. I tried downloading VLC but when I try those same files, it's says it is a file type .wmas and it can't convert it. I have need to play a lot of these files as they come from a stock and options subscription service that I value but just can't seem to get the videos to work. Any thoughts?
Have you got the latest version of Flip4Mac installed? http://flip4mac-wmv.en.softonic.com/mac Also, are the files you are trying to play protected by Digital Rights Management (DRM). Subscription services often do protect their media with DRM so that it can't be duplicated or posted elsewhere by viewers. In such cases, the only way to watch the video is using Windows Media Player.
so, my problem is that all the teachers at my highshool have mac books and i have windows on my laptop. i need to send a wmv video to my teacher but obviously, that won't play for him. i can't make him download all these plug-ins and such so is there any way i can convert it on MY computer so when i send it to him it will work? please and thank you sara :)
Sara, I would recommend the simplest solution for your teachers is to download VLC MediaPlayer: http://vlc-media-player.en.softonic.com/mac
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[...] permalink How to convert QuickTime MOV to WMV on Mac OS X? You have some excellent QuickTime MOV movies and you would like to share it with your Windows-based friend, publish it to web site that only accept WMV file,or insert it to Microsoft Powerpoint, you can convert it to WMV on Mac OS X. To convert QuickTime MOV to WMV on Mac on Mac (Snow Leopard included) you need a super-simple,super-fast MOV to WMV Video Converter for Mac. How to watch WMV files on Mac? [...]
[...] How to convert quicktime MOV to WMV on Mac OS X? How to convert quicktime MOV to WMV on Mac OS X? How to convert QuickTime MOV to WMV on Mac OS X? You have some excellent QuickTime MOV movies and you would like to share it with your Windows-based friend, publish it to web site that only accept WMV file,or insert it to Microsoft Powerpoint, you can convert it to WMV on Mac OS X. To convert QuickTime MOV to WMV on Mac on Mac (Snow Leopard included) you need a super-simple,super-fast MOV to WMV Video Converter for Mac. How to watch WMV files on Mac? [...]
I just want to know what the rental unit costs and where it is.Betty Lang
You can watch WMV files using Elmedia Player http://elmedia-player-for-mac.en.softonic.com/mac
I am new to the Mac world. I downloaded MPlayer OSX. It is in my download file. I moved the file to the applications folder and I only get audio. I put the file back in downloads and I get nothing. HELP!!
@Laurie, What kind of video file are you trying to play? If MPlayerX won't work for you, try VLC Media Player.
Nick...I was trying to play wmv... I tried a few player or add ons, but my problem is that I'm not sure if I am installing them correctly. They don't give step by step instructions (which I need being so new to the Mac system), I have since deleted the player.
@Laurie, Ok. In future, when you've downloaded a DMG file, just double click on it to open it and drag the icon to your Applications folder and the program is installed and should work properly. Much easier than Windows ;)
I'm out in the boondocks in alaska,come to town now and then,spent much gold for my mac,gess there's to much snow for my snow lep.[can't spell ether],so all the odd pc's will have to go!
I'm out in the boondocks in alaska,come to town now and then,spent much gold for my mac,gess there's to much snow for my snow lep.[can't spell ether],so all the odd pc's will have to go!