When you download video files from the Internet, there is always a chance they won’t play properly or won’t play at all. It may happen because the file wasn’t uploaded correctly by its owner or your Internet connection is not good enough and the file was downloaded with the gaps. One more reason might be the lack of necessary codecs to play this particular file on your PC.
Some media players on your Mac gives an error whenever you play an MP4 file, then you need to download MP4 codec for Mac. Check this page to get the best. The XviD codec isn't yet available for the Mac, so to play XviD videos on your Mac you first need to install QuickTime and the DivX codec. Then you need to download and install the delegate component available for your Mac OS version: XviD codec for Mac OS X (5KB) XviD codec for Mac OS 8/9 (3KB).
What is a Video Codec?
A video codec is a software or sometimes a piece of hardware that compresses and decompresses digital video. In other words, a codec processes raw digital video and stores it in a stream of bytes. It converts uncompressed video to a compressed format to take up less space on your computer and vice versa. A video codec is usually identified by ‘fourcc’, a four character code. For example, MPEG, DivX, HEVC, etc.
In fact, there is a huge list of codecs that you can find online. Of course, a majority of videos are encoded with the help of most popular codecs mentioned above and can be played with almost any multimedia player. However, there are rare codecs from special video cameras that can be viewed with VLC or a similar player with a proper codec library.
A video codec isn’t the same as a video format or container. A container is a bundle of files. Inside it, you can find data that has been compressed by using a particular codec. For example, an AVI file can contain video compressed by XviD, or DivX, or MPEG-2 codecs. Usually, a container comprises a video and audio codecs, plus it can also contain other files like subtitles and chapters. Popular video formats or containers are AVI, MP4, WMV, MKV, MOV, FLV, etc.
SEE ALSO: Reducing Video: When Size Does Matter
SEE ALSO: 5 Easiest Ways to Add Captions to Video Free and Fast
SEE ALSO: 5 Easiest Ways to Add Captions to Video Free and Fast
Types of Video Codecs
All the codecs may be divided into the following types:
- Lossless codecs. These codecs (H.264, Lagarith, Huffyuv) reproduce a video as-is, without any quality loss. Videos encoded with lossless codec usually have great quality but take a lot of hard drive space.
- Lossy codecs. Although lossy codecs (Xvid, DivX, VP3, MPEG4) lose some amount of video information, videos with such codecs occupy less space than lossless ones. Lossy codecs can be transformative, predictive, or a combination of both types. The 1st type cuts up the original file and quantizes it into a more efficient space. The 2nd ones get rid of all unnecessary data and also save space.
Now let’s examine the most popular video codecs.
MPEG codecs
Among the most recognized codecs, there are those based on MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group) standards. MPEG-1 codec provides high-quality video and MP3 sound that can be played on all modern music devices.MPEG-2 is the only video compression standard for DVD and some Blu-ray discs. While the MPEG-1 codec allows for only progressive scanning, MPEG-2 also supports interlacing. MPEG-4 handles both progressive and interlaced video, and it provides better compression techniques and smaller output video size than MPEG-2.
H.264
One more well-known codec worth mentioning is H.264. It’s the most popular choice for HD video. It can use both lossy and lossless compression depending on the settings that you choose (frame rate, frame size, and file size). H.264 is up to 2 times more efficient as basic MPEG-4 compression, which leads to smaller file sizes and seamless playback on more devices. It’s clear wht H.264 is so widely used: from web videos to Blu-ray movies.
SEE ALSO: How to Convert MTS Videos from Blu-ray to MP4
XviD/DivX
DivX is a commercial codec, while XviD is its open source alternative. The DivX codec can compress lengthy video segments into small sizes while maintaining relatively high visual quality. Most of the DivX videos use AVI file extension and DivX or Div extensions.
HEVC
High-Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC), also known as H.265, is a new video compression standard, which was developed with the goal of providing twice the compression efficiency of the previous standard, H.264. It’s particularly useful for streaming 4K video and Blu-ray. However, this video codec has been only gaining popularity and is not yet supported by all the media software.
Codec | Developer | Formats | Compression method | |
H.264 | ITU-T Video Coding Experts Group | MP4, MKV, 3GP, FLV | Lossless / Lossy | Intel AVX, Open CL, CUDA, DXVA |
HEVC | Joint Collaborative Team on Video Coding | MKV | Lossy | Intel AVX, Open CL, CUDA, AMD |
XviD | open-source | AVI, MKV | Lossy | Unknown |
DivX | DivX, LLC | AVI | Lossy | Intel Quick Sync Video |
MPEG1 | Moving Pictures Experts Group | Video CD, MPG | Lossy | Intel AVX |
MPEG2 | Moving Pictures Experts Group | DVD (VOB), Blu-ray (TS), MPG | Lossless | DXVA, Intel AVX |
MPEG4 | Moving Pictures Experts Group | MP4, AVI, MKV | Lossy | Intel AVX |
How to identify a video codec?
Let’s learn how you can identify what codec is used in your video and choose a right codec finder. The best option to determine a codec in your video is install free software that will do the job for you. Here are what you should do to identify a codec:
- Download and install a software from the list below.
- Open your video file in it.
- Get the full info about the video codec used.
- Get the necessary video codec if you don’t have it on your PC.
Here is the list of useful codec identifying tools:
MediaInfo
MediaInfo is one of the most popular tools to show you complete information about your multimedia file. The software will guide you to a site where you can download the necessary codecs. Sometimes it even shows what media player can reproduce video files of a kind. For example, the software suggests using QuickTime to play MP4 files. Of course, it’s not the only option available. But if you don’t have time to search for a better tool, this quick solution is right what you need.
GSpot
GSpot is a choice of advanced users. It provides a huge amount of information about a file. As soon as you analyze the file with GSpot, it will show you what codecs you need and whether you’ve already had them on your PC. If not, you’ll have to copy the codec name and google for it manually.
Unfortunately, the software looks abandoned and doesn’t give you the info about the latest codecs. However, in case you have a large collection of old video files, you might find it helpful.
Unfortunately, the software looks abandoned and doesn’t give you the info about the latest codecs. However, in case you have a large collection of old video files, you might find it helpful.
SuperEasy Codec Checker
SuperEasy Codec Check can be used both by beginners and professional users. It supports over 67 media files formats. The software analyzes files really fast and gives only the main details without making you go deep into tech information. After adding your file, you just get the recommendations for missing codecs.
VideoInspector
VideoInspector, as it’s clear from its name, inspects the media data of your video file. It can help you find the required codecs for MKV, AVI, MPEG, and QuickTime files. Please note that it doesn’t support a popular MP4 format, WMV, and FLV. The great thing is that VideoInspector not only shows you the information about your media file, but also tells you if the file is corrupted or not. In case the necessary codec is missing on your PC, the software will show you a red cross and provide a link to a website where you can get it for free.
Ready Video Codec Packs
Nowadays there is a good number of media players like VLC that can handle an astonishing number of video and audio file with various codecs. However, some codecs might need additional software for their playback. In case you don’t want to overload your operating system with dozens of media players, you can also install a special codec pack that usually contain all the main audio and video codecs and help your default player reproduce films and music.
K-Lite Codec Pack
K-Lite Codec Pack is a well-known free codec compilation software. It’s easy to install and use. The tool contains an impressive codec library which gets regular updates. You can choose among four versions of this product.
- K-lite Codec Pack Basic contains only the main codecs you might need.
- K-lite Codec Pack Standard provides codecs to all most popular audio and video files.
- K-Lite Codec Pack Full gives more specialized codec libraries.
- K-Lite Codec Pack Mega is for those who’d like to have everything that is possible.
Recently K-Lite Codec Pack has added full decoding support for the new HEVC (H.265) video codec.
X Codec Pack
X Codec Pack (formerly XP Codec Pack) is a great alternative to K-Lite in case you don’t want to use it for any reason. Like the previous software, X Codec Pack contains all codecs that you might need to play popular and rare videos files. There are two drawbacks here. First of all, the tool is that it doesn’t get regular updates. Thus, you might need to wait for some time for new codecs to be added. The 2nd issue is that a full codec pack may interfere with your media player and cause problems in its performance.
How to Change a Video Codec?
![Video codec may be required Video codec may be required](/uploads/1/2/6/2/126233564/407060806.png)
If you downloaded a video with a codec that can’t be played on your TV, you can easily convert it to a more popular one with Freemake.
Follow a simple guide below:
- Install Freemake Video Converter on a Windows-based PC or laptop.
- Launch the software and add your video file by pressing the “+Video” button. You can also drag-b-drop the files into the software.
- Check what video format is supported by your device and select the corresponding format in Freemake Video Converter.
- Click the blue gear button to edit a current preset or choose “Add your preset” option.
- Insert the necessary audio and video settings (codec, bitrate, fps, etc).
- Click “OK”.
- Click the “Convert” button to start the conversion process.
When the video is converted, try to play it on your TV or any other device. If everything is OK, convert more videos in the same way.
Now you know how to distinguish, install and work with videos codecs. If this post was helpful, please share it with your mates to let them enjoy any type of video on their PCs for free.
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Note: We've detected that DivX for Mac's installer might attempt to bundle third-party software. We suggest to proceed with caution and select the 'Custom' installation option to identify any potential unwanted software.
Freeware
macOS
1.7 MB
51,380
DivX for Mac is a digital video creation and playback software suite with all the tools you need to create and play DivX video files on the Mac. DivX for Mac includes the DivX codec (with Pro features), the DivX Converter, the DivX Web Player and DivX playback support.
The DivX codec for Mac is a plug-in that allows you to create and play DivX videos. The DivX codec is now more powerful and easier to use than any previous versions. More importantly, the DivX codec is fully compatible with QuickTime and 7 and Mac OS X 10.3.9 or later. With the DivX codec, you can be certain that you will get the highest quality, performance and compression from your digital videos.
The DivX Converter is a stand-alone DivX encoding application for the Mac allowing you to convert nearly any digital video to DivX in one step, radically simplifying the conversion process, making it easier than ever to create high-quality, highly compressed DivX videos. However, because we know you still want precise control over the encoding process, the DivX Converter for Mac also provides tools to customize the advanced encoding settings of the DivX codec.
The DivX Web Player is a versatile utility that allows you to embed DivX videos directly on to a web page.
DivX for Mac also provides DivX playback support to the Mac platform. With DivX for Mac, you can use QuickTime or any application that supports QuickTime playback to watch any DivX video on your Mac, whether that video was created on a PC or a Mac.
DivX for Mac is available in English, French, German and Japanese in full or trial versions. The full version includes unlimited access to the DivX Converter and the DivX codec (with Pro features).
Here are some key features of 'DivX for Mac OS X':
DivX Player
- Manage your devices — Activate and manage DivX Certified devices including DVD players, portable media players and more from within the DivX Player interface
- Play DivX videos — Watch DivX videos (the way they were meant to be seen)
- Bask in cinematic luxury — Enjoy a truly cinematic experience on your computer with elegant features like desktop dimming, automatic window fade-out and innovative mouse gesture controls that allow you to manipulate playback without interrupting the viewing experience
- Easily convert to DivX — Convert videos to DivX by launching the DivX Converter from within the player interface
- Burn DivX video discs — Burn DivX discs and take your videos off the computer, to the living room and beyond
- Experience DivX high definition — Enjoy crisp DivX HD video on your Mac
- Play other popular file formats — The DivX Player for Mac also supports QuickTime and other popular video formats
- Play videos as your desktop background — Set up videos to play as your desktop background for an entirely new work experience
DivX Codec
- Play DivX videos in QuickTime, Front Row and many other 3rd party media players
- Compress digital video 5 to 10 times more than MPEG-2/DVD format and hundreds of times over raw digital video
- Create DivX video files from within QuickTime Pro 7 or later
- Encode high definition (HD) video at resolutions up to 1080p
- Enjoy support for multi-chip and multi-core PowerPC and Intel Macs for faster multi-threaded encoding
- Achieve the perfect balance between visual quality and performance with six carefully optimized encoding modes
- Reduce grain and low-light noise (common with DV cameras) with the automated noise reduction feature
DivX Web Player
- Plays all DivX videos - Play any DivX video in your web browser
- Cross-platform support - Compatible with nearly every popular web browser
- Superior compression - Enables higher quality video at smaller file sizes
- Full-screen mode - Double-clicking on the screen switches playback to full-screen mode for a more cinematic experience
- Full-screen navigation controls - Left clicking in full-screen mode accesses convenient video navigation controls
- Windowed mode - Allows users to watch videos in a separate window while continuing to surf (right click on the player to access it)
- HD Playback - Supports DivX high definition (HD) video
- Skinnable - Allows webmasters to personalize the player to match their web pages
- Multiple audio tracks - Supports multiple available audio tracks
- Subtitles - Allows subtitles for multiple languages
- Desktop dimmer – Automatically dims the desktop screen around the web player while videos are playing for a better viewing experience
DivX Converter
- Converting your videos to DivX is now as simple as dropping them onto the DivX Converter and clicking 'Convert.' (A vast improvement from the originally suggested '23-step DivX Converter.')
- Create DivX files: Turn nearly any video file into a DivX video
- Batch encode: Convert multiple files to DivX in a single step
- Work faster: Convert up to 8 times faster (compared to DivX.0)
- Crop and resize videos
- Remove black borders
- Change encoding bitrates
- Control quality versus encoding speed
- Transfer video to your certified handheld or portable device
- Store an entire video library on your hard drive without taking up valuable storage space
- Post your home movies online
- Email videos to your friends (or enemies)
What's New:
- New Versions: DivX Player 2.1
- DivX Player 2.1: Leopard Support
- DivX Player 2.1: Now supports registration of DivX certified devices.
- DivX Player 2.1:Support for DivX file with XSUBs