Your full information on methods to Play MP4 recordsdata on Mac with out QuickTime

I keep in mind the time once I just lately switched to a Mac and located that I could not play my MP4 recordsdata on it. It was a horrible expertise, to say the least, and one which I did not count on from such a premium system.

However concern not — there is a fast and straightforward resolution for methods to play MP4 recordsdata with none limitations. On this information, I am going to stroll you thru each step. Whether or not you need to convert, stream, or simply play an MP4 video out of your Mac system, I’ve bought you coated!

Easy methods to play MP4 on Mac

Earlier than you dive in, check out this desk. I’ve gathered all one of the best strategies for taking part in MP4 on Mac, which we will chat about within the article:

Why QuickTime cannot open and play MP4 video recordsdata?

First issues first — why QuickTime gained’t play MP4 recordsdata? 

Whereas QuickTime (the default MP4 participant for Mac) does a reasonably good job of dealing with most media codecs, it is typically a hit and miss with MP4 recordsdata, particularly if they’re encoded with newer codecs like H.265/HEVC.

Not like video codecs like MOV and M4V, that are each natively supported by QuickTime, MP4 depends on software program decoding to play the video. Which means that in case your MP4 video is encoded with a codec (a way of compressing digital content material) that QuickTime would not acknowledge, you may be unable to play it.

Listed here are the frequent causes you possibly can’t open MP4 in QuickTime:

• Your QuickTime model is outdated: An older model of QuickTime could not help newer MP4 codecs.
• You’re lacking codec: QuickTime could lack the required codec to decode sure MP4 recordsdata.
• You’re making an attempt to play a corrupted file: The MP4 file itself is likely to be broken or incomplete.
• You’re utilizing unsupported MP4 format: Some MP4 recordsdata could use codecs or settings that QuickTime would not help, reminiscent of sure video resolutions or audio codecs.
• Your system settings are incompatible: Particular system configurations or settings could stop QuickTime from correctly studying the MP4 file.

So what are you able to do about it? Usually, in case your QuickTime participant can’t open MP4 recordsdata, you’ll have to convert it to a suitable format first (extra on that in a later part). Nonetheless, I discovered that there are quicker and simpler methods to get round this downside.

Easy methods to play MP4 on Mac with out QuickTime?

In case you have been like me, you in all probability simply wished to open MP4 on Mac with none hassles. On this case, you should use an app known as Elmedia Participant. This highly effective media participant can deal with nearly any sort of video format, together with MP4 recordsdata.

Not like QuickTime, Elmedia Participant has built-in codecs that it could use to decode and play movies in your Mac. I have been utilizing it ever since as my Mac MP4 participant and have by no means run into compatibility points since then.

Here is methods to watch MP4 on Mac utilizing Elmedia Participant:

1. Set up and open Elmedia Participant.
2. Click on on the hamburger button on the decrease proper > Click on the add “+” button so as to add a file.
3. Add the MP4 video to the playlist and double-click it to look at within the participant.

Convert MP4 into playable format

As an instance you need to stick to QuickTime and never use one other app to play your MP4 recordsdata. On this case, you may want a strategy to convert the file right into a format that works effectively with QuickTime. That is the place the Permute app is available in, and I’ve discovered that it really works rather well in changing video recordsdata to simply about any format you need.

Here is methods to use Permute to make your MP4 file playable in your Mac:

1. Set up and open Permute.
2. Drag and drop the MP4 file you need to convert, or click on on the + icon on the app’s lower-left.
3. Choose the format that you just need to convert the file to simply above the video. 
4. Click on on the Begin button and look ahead to the conversion course of to complete.

Relying on the scale of the MP4 file, the conversion course of takes a number of seconds to a few minutes to finish. In my expertise, changing a brief video solely takes a number of seconds. As soon as performed, you may discover the transformed file in the identical folder as the unique one.

Bonus: Streaming MP4 to TV from Mac

Not glad with simply having the ability to playback MP4 recordsdata on my Mac, I wished to see if there was one thing I might use to stream the entire thing on my TV. Properly, it seems that you may simply try this with an app known as JustStream.

Think about watching a film in your Mac, then seamlessly switching to your TV in the lounge or immediately sharing what you are doing with everybody on a much bigger display. JustStream does all that for you with none difficult setup.

Here is how one can stream MP4 from Mac on to your sensible TV:

1. Set up and open JustStream within the menu bar.
2. Click on on the add “+” button on the underside proper, then select the video that you just need to stream.
3. Choose the sign button within the backside heart, then choose your TV system from the record of accessible choices.
4. Click on on the Begin Streaming button. It will take a number of seconds to organize the video for streaming, and it ought to begin taking part in in your TV.

And that is it! Observe that for this to work, your TV and Mac have to be related to the identical community. In case you do not see your TV on the system record, test to see if the TV is powered on and related to the community.

Enjoying MP4 on Mac is simpler than you suppose

Whether or not you need to play your MP4 movies in your Mac, convert them, or stream them to your TV, the fitting macOS apps can do all of it. I’ve coated methods to use Elmedia Participant for seamless MP4 playback and Permute for changing movies. If that is not sufficient, you possibly can even stream them in your TV with JustStream!

All of the apps are simply accessible by way of Setapp, a software program subscription service that includes a large assortment of a few of the greatest apps accessible for macOS and iOS gadgets. You’ll be able to strive all of them without cost with a seven-day trial interval! Superior, huh? So give it a strive, and by no means fear about taking part in MP4 movies in your Mac once more.