Reviews for QuickTime MPEG-2 Playback Component for Windows

MPEG-2 files created with Sony digital camera export only the video. The muxed sound track is dropped in conversion, contrary to advertising on this site. Apple support claims that there are many MPEG-2 formats. Apparently Sony's is not compliant. (Or could it be that Apple's isn't?) I do not recommend this converter. Find something else to convert your MPEG-2 files.

This product has nothing to do with importing sony video onto a mac

"QuickTime 7.6 or later (Pro not required)
A Pentium III processor-based PC 1GHz or faster, with a hardware-accelerated video card
Windows XP Service Pack 2 or Vista
At least 128MB of RAM"

Did you notice the Windows part of that? This is a plug in for handling quicktime streaming in formats both Macs and PC's can use. It has nothing to do with trying to transfer video into an editor. As the FAQ states:

"The component is only a decoder, enabling playback of MPEG-2 content."

It does not work with my Sony Handicam files. It does not work with my TV card files. It does not work with files that create DVD's fine in other software. I wish I had seen these reviews before I bought the MPEG 2 playback for windows. I would have saved my money. I hope I can figure out how to get a refund.

Apple does it again.

I bought Final Cut Express because I thought that I was going to make some good editing in no time... problem was that my macbook did not have the "ability" to read my video files, shot with a Sony DCR-SR52. I had to import the video from Imovie, then import those files into Final Cut Express with a wrong Aspect Ratio and then edit it. Now when I saw this Add On I thought why dont I try to buy this and the .mpg files should , like apple says be readable by Quick Time. But nope. and now that I have payed 1650,-(Final Cut Express + Add On) danish kroner im starting to get rather mad, because nothing of what I have bought is working... What a great compatability Apple... was that not what you recently was so proud of when you talked about your new macbooks?

If you have a Sony camcorder, do not buy this Add On unless you are absolutly sure that it is a model that is compatible.

What is wrong with Apple? They sell QuickTime to read mpg and at the end of the day it does not capture a good image and there is no sound from the Sony Handycam camera. Is this correct?

This component will not playback all mpeg2 video files. Fails miserably, it hangs after opening the mpeg2 file, will not play audio or video, and time shown is incorrect. All other mpeg2 players will play except apple's. I want my 19.99 back for a non functional addon. No it isn't my configuration either or me or my computer, I am using qt pro 7.

The video quality is medicore at best, and the audio will not play with video files created using a sony handycam. I'd suggest purchasing a file converter over this product.

This product does not work properly on my PC. I've posted the error message I receive when trying to play a DVD on the Discussion Forum and it remains unresolved for two weeks now along with a lot of other questions/issues with this product! There is no online support for this product from Apple. You can't even find a way to return it for credit! My recommendation is not to use QT7 as your default media player and go to something else.

I'm delighted Apple are honest & publish the bad reviews with the good -- clearly there are problems with some mpegs, and clearly it is also useful with others (and i can vouch that there are as many mpeg variants as there are programmers who wish to reinvent the wheel everytime they release a new product -- I wish they would research the original standard and leave it be!).

Full marks to Apple for integrity - we can't expect perfection but at least we have this. Why can't we download a trial?

They told you right here...

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.