QuickTime MPEG-2 Playback Component for Mac OS X
This add-on to QuickTime or QuickTime Pro provides the ability to import and play back MPEG-2 content, including both multiplexed (also known as muxed, where the audio and video tracks are interleaved together into one track) and non-multiplexed (also known as elementary) streams.
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Overview
The QuickTime MPEG-2 Playback Component provides QuickTime users with the ability to import and play back MPEG-2 content, including both multiplexed (also known as muxed, where the audio and video tracks are interleaved together into one track) and non-multiplexed (also known as elementary) streams. It is perfectly suited for professional and semi-professional content creators with projects such as:
- Professional content production: Throughout the professional content production process, many approvals and progress checks are necessary. With QuickTime and the QuickTime MPEG-2 Playback Component, your clients and reviewers can view your MPEG-2 streams on either a Mac or Windows-based PC, and provide feedback.
- Transcoding video content: Now your MPEG-2 video content can be imported into QuickTime Pro and exported to other formats such as MPEG-4, the new international standard for Internet media; QuickTime Movie; DV Stream; and others. The QuickTime MPEG-2 Playback Component allows the transcode of MPEG-2 video from both multiplexed and elementary video streams. By transcoding your MPEG-2 video into other formats, it can be used in new forums, such as on the web, on CD-ROM, or on DV tape.
Frequently Asked Questions about this product:
Do I need QuickTime Pro for the MPEG-2 Playback Component to work?
No, QuickTime Pro is not necessary for playback of MPEG-2 content with the MPEG-2 Playback Component. You need only QuickTime Player and the MPEG-2 Playback Component to view MPEG-2 content. However, if you wish to transcode MPEG-2 video content into other formats, QuickTime Pro or an application built upon the QuickTime export architecture is necessary.
Can I create MPEG-2 content with the QuickTime MPEG-2 Playback Component?
No, the QuickTime MPEG-2 Playback Component does not contain an MPEG-2 encoder; therefore, encoding or creating MPEG-2 content is not supported. The component is only a decoder, enabling playback of MPEG-2 content.
What types of streams can be played back with the QuickTime MPEG-2 Playback Component?
The MPEG-2 Playback Component can play back both elementary audio and video streams, as well as multiplexed program streams.
What file types can be played back with the QuickTime MPEG-2 Playback Component?
There are a number of MPEG-2 file types that the QuickTime MPEG-2 Playback Component can play back, including .mpg, .mpeg, .vob, .vro, .m2v, .m2a, and .m2s files.
Can the QuickTime MPEG-2 Playback Component play back DVDs?
The MPEG-2 Playback Component can play back MPEG-2 files on non-encrypted DVDs. Professionally produced, commercial DVDs (such as Hollywood movies) are usually encrypted with special anti-piracy software, called Content Scramble System (CSS). In order to view these DVDs, decryption software is required and is included in DVD players. But decryption software is not included in QuickTime or the QuickTime MPEG-2 Playback Component.
Can transport streams be played?
The MPEG-2 specification defines two forms of data streams, program streams and transport streams. While the QuickTime MPEG-2 Playback Component will play program streams, playback of transport streams is not supported.
Can the QuickTime MPEG-2 Playback Component play back AC3 audio?
No, MPEG-2 files containing AC3 audio cannot be played back with the QuickTime MPEG-2 Playback Component.
What audio formats does the QuickTime MPEG-2 playback component support?
The QuickTime MPEG-2 Playback Component supports the playback of MPEG-2 files (.mpg, .mpeg, .vob, .vro, .m2v, .m2a, and .m2s) that contain MPEG audio layers I or II. The MPEG-2 Playback Component does not support audio playback for MPEG-2 files containing PCM, DTS, or AC3 audio.
- QuickTime 7.6 or later (Pro not required)
- PowerPC G4 (500MHz or faster) or Intel processor
- At least 256MB of RAM
- Mac OS X v10.4.10 or later
Note: This version will not run on Mac OS 9.x. Please purchase QuickTime MPEG-2 Playback - Mac OS 9 instead.
Please note:
The QuickTime MPEG-2 Playback Component requires QuickTime or QuickTime Pro. Before installing the QuickTime MPEG-2 Playback Component, please make sure you've already installed QuickTime. If you haven't, please click here.
Most Useful Reviews
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QuickTime MPEG-2 Playback Component for Mac OS X
Won't get audio from VOB files
Written by JC from Wootton Bridge
02-May-2006
This product did not allow me to play the audio from VOB audio files, eg those created by iDVD. Look up MPEG Streamclip, which is free, and reads VOB and exports to a variety of formats, including DV. The Apple QuickTime site confusingly says:
"The QuickTime MPEG-2 Playback Component provides QuickTime users with the ability to import and play back MPEG-2 content, including both multiplexed (also known as muxed, where the audio and video tracks are interleaved together into one track) and non-multiplexed (also known as elementary) streams..." and "There are a number of MPEG-2 file types that the QuickTime MPEG-2 Playback Component can play back, including .mpg, .mpeg, .vob, .vro, .m2v, .m2a, and .m2s files"
But then it says "Note that the QuickTime MPEG-2 Playback Component will not demux audio and video, nor will it enable audio transcoding."
So Apple says the MPEG-2 will play muxed audio and video (which it didn't from the iDVD VOB), but it won't demux audio and video. I'm out of my depth. Perhaps Apple could make the capabilities clearer. …More291 of 460 people found this useful
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QuickTime MPEG-2 Playback Component for Mac OS X
Great Product - but annoying gap in download instructions
Written by SH from MILTON KEYNES
07-Apr-2007
Works flawlessly - using to play back .rec files with MPEG Streamclip. But inadequate instructions, once you have paid, leave many customers intensely frustrated, and in the dark about where to find download. “The download button” it says – but where? No sign of such a button on the final page. Maybe on an email? No email arrives. Apple customer service say many people have complained (see also comments in other reviews) but they are seemingly helpless to do anything. Perhaps a clueless customer can help where salaried Apple staff seem powerless.
Use the "your account" tab to login and download away. May seem absurdly obvious, but the tabs are generally so useless on this site and the structure so labyrinthine, that the “your account” concept can easily end up invisible here, unlike on, say, Amazon where its clearly signposted at every turn. Ho-hum. I love Apple but this site conspicuously has potential for improvement
…More250 of 436 people found this useful
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QuickTime MPEG-2 Playback Component for Mac OS X
MPEG-2 Plug-in
Written by LJ from Shipley
16-Jun-2007
Unlike some reviewers, had no problem downloading or installing. But disappointed that there is no sound with my digital camcorder files in QT7 that are recorded in this format so mandating the plug-in. Also not impressed by the £15 UK price v. $19.99 US price! …More
206 of 351 people found this useful
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Most Recent Reviews
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QuickTime MPEG-2 Playback Component for Mac OS X
Helps a FREE 3rd Party Software convert MPEG files!
Written by IW from LONDON
20-Jun-2009
This software does enable you to see MPEG files - but if you want to convert MPEG files to MOV files you need the help of MPEG Streamclip (google it) which is a free download from a 3rd party company so that you have full sound with your clips.
I think why everyone who has purchased this has got angry is because it seems ridiculous to be buying a component from Apple and then having to download another application to make it work - and it seems ironic that we're paying Apple when it almost feels like it is the 3rd party who should be getting the dosh for providing the function we all bought it for.
To be honest I jut want to be able to buy something have it work, rather than have to find a review or a web discussion about what additional software I need to make MPEG files into MOV files.
So if that's what you want your plug in and play Mac to do: buy this, then go to www.squared5.com and get the free download and it will probably take you 20 mins tops. I just feel that it should be a one stop shop and that should come with the security of it being an Apple one stop shop. …More45 of 46 people found this useful
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QuickTime MPEG-2 Playback Component for Mac OS X
Works perfectly, ignore the nay-sayers
Written by ML from BRIGHTON
08-Feb-2009
Frankly I cannot understand all the one starrers out there.
There seem to be a lot of people having problems with audio. If, for example, you're wanting to extract the contents of a DVD so you can edit them in say Final Cut, you'll need to use MPEG Streamclip to convert the VOB files ripped from the DVD to a codec that editing packages understand. Without the QT MP2 Playback installed (at the time of writing, Feb09, onto QT Player 7.6) this isn't possible.
In your editing package you may need to render the clips you export from MPEG Streamclip in order to be able to hear the audio, though in iMovie '08 I don't even think that's necessary.
The thing couldn't possibly be simpler or cleaner to use!
DOWNLOAD: the download tab is right there on your receipt when you buy the thing. It's the word highlighted in blue in your order summary and it reads, cryptically enough I admit, "Download" with a little downward pointing blue arrow next to it.
It's tip top, don't diss it. …More16 of 20 people found this useful
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QuickTime MPEG-2 Playback Component for Mac OS X
Perfect for converting DVDs in MPEG Streamclip
Written by SW from WITHAM
28-Jan-2009
MPEG Streamclip suggested I download this component when I attempted to convert a DVD into web format (in this case flv). It worked first time and perfectly. I'd spent ages trying to find a decent converter and have found this to work adequately, and has cured my headache! …More
14 of 17 people found this useful
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