The size of a downloaded song depends on the file’s bit depth, sampling frequency, and compression codec used, with higher-quality lossless files being larger in size. Below are examples of file sizes for a 3½ minute song: SD (lossy): 9 MB; HD (lossless, 44.1 kHz sample rate): 51 MB; Ultra HD (lossless, max 192 kHz sample rate): 153 MB. This update adds the following video codecs for use by QuickTime-based applications: Apple Intermediate Codec Apple ProRes AVC-Intra DVCPRO HD HDV XDCAM HD / EX / HD422 MPEG IMX Uncompressed 4:2:2.

AVID Codec Packages (LINK)

There are two codec packages available from Avid:

• Avid Codecs LE – available here:
  • Macintosh
  • Windows

• Avid Codecs PE – available only with Avid editing applications

Avid Codecs PE contains the MPEG IMX codec while the Avid Codecs LE package does not because of end-user licensing issues. You can find the Avid Codecs PE installer under InstallersAvidCodecsPE.

Download Links

This table illustrates which codecs are included in each package:

All Avid QuickTime codecs support 'fast import,' as long as the import settings are properly configured; Avid codecs might import far more quickly than other QuickTime codecs.

Import Settings Dialog Box

You need to select certain options in the Import Settings dialog box when you import QuickTime media into Avid editing applications.

Alpha
When you import alpha from an Avid QuickTime codec, select Alpha > Use Existing in the Import Settings dialog box. When alpha is imported from a non-Avid QuickTime codec, select Alpha > Invert Existing. This is because the Avid QuickTime codec inverts the alpha during the movie's creation, saving time on import into your editing applications while not significantly adding to the creation time in a third-party program.

File Field Order
This setting defines how the source material is interlaced.
An odd, or upper-field ordering uses the first line of each frame for field one.
An even, or lower-field ordering uses the first line of each frame for field two.

NTSC 601/DV resolutions have an even (lower field first) ordering.
PAL 601 resolutions have an odd (upper field first) ordering.
PAL DV resolutions have an even (lower field first) ordering.
1080i HD has an odd (upper field first) ordering.

Color Levels
For all non-Avid QuickTime codecs, these options allow you to specify whether the file being imported has pixel values that are stored using computer RGB values (where the 0-700 mV (video black to video white) voltages are mapped using the full range of 0-255, 8-bit) or ITU-R BT.601/ITU-R BT.709 values (where the 0-700 mV voltages are mapped using the 601/709 standard range of 16-235, 8-bit).

However, when importing movies compressed using any of the Avid QuickTime codecs, you should always set this option to 601/709, regardless of the color levels in the movie. This is because the Avid codecs internally encode the material using 601/709 color levels. You instead specify the QuickTime codec options in a third-party program whether the file you are creating or rendering contains a computer RGB or 601/709 mapping. Failure to do this with current versions of Avid editing applications results in a dramatically slow import and incorrect color levels in the imported element.

Avid Codecs

Avid Meridien Uncompressed
Exporting using an Avid Editing Application: When you export 1:1 OMF material 'same as source' or as a QuickTime reference movie from an Avid editing application, the Avid Meridien Uncompressed codec is used to view the movie in a non-Avid program.

You should import a QuickTime movie that has been compressed with this codec into an Avid editing application as 1:1 OMF in an SD project. The movie will be 'fast imported' if you select the 601/709 option in the Import Settings dialog box and import the video as 1:1 OMF into an SD project.

Exporting from a non-Avid product: Export using this codec at a size of 720 x 486 (D1 NTSC) or 720 x 576 (D1 PAL), otherwise the export fails.

Alpha: This codec supports alpha channels. Alpha will be 'fast imported' if you select the 601/709 option in the Import Settings dialog box, set the alpha channel import option to Use Existing, and import the movie as 1:1 OMF into an SD project.

Avid Meridien Compressed
Exporting using an Avid Editing Application: When JFIF compressed material (2:1, etc.) is exported 'same as source' or as a QuickTime reference movie from an Avid editing application, the Avid Meridien Compressed codec is used to view the movie in a non-Avid program.

Import a QuickTime movie that has been compressed with this codec into an Avid editing application as a JFIF resolution in an SD project. You can 'fast import' the movie if you select the 601/709 option in the Import Settings dialog box and import the video as a JFIF resolution into an SD project. Fast import can occur in an OMF or MXF project.

Exporting from a non-Avid product: Export a movie at a size of 720 x 486 (D1 NTSC) or 720 x 576 (D1 PAL) for optimal quality.

Alpha: This codec supports alpha channels. Alpha can also be 'fast imported' if you select the 601/709 option in the Import Settings dialog box, set the alpha channel import option to Use Existing, and import the movie as an OMF JFIF resolution into an SD project. Beginning with Media Composer 2.7.4, you can also 'fast import' MXF JFIF resolutions if you select the 601/709 option in the Import Settings dialog box.

Avid 1:1x
Exporting using an Avid Editing Application: When 1:1 MXF material is exported 'same as source' or as a QuickTime reference movie from an Avid editing application, the Avid 1:1x codec is used to view the movie in a non-Avid program.

Import a QuickTime movie that has been compressed with this codec into an Avid editing application as 1:1 MXF, SD, or HD corresponding to the source resolution. You can 'fast import' the movie if you select the 601/709 option in the Import Settings dialog box and import the video as 1:1 MXF into an SD or HD project corresponding to the QuickTime movie resolution.

Exporting from a non-Avid product: Export a movie at a size of 720 x 486 (D1 NTSC), 720 x 576 (D1 PAL), 1920 x 1080 (1080i HD), or 1280 x 720 (720p HD) for optimal quality.

Video Codecs Download

Alpha: This codec does not support alpha channels.

Hd Codecs For Mac Windows 10

Avid Packed
Exporting using an Avid Editing Application: When 1:1 10-bit MXF material is exported 'same as source' or as a QuickTime reference movie from an Avid editing application, the Avid Packed codec is used to view the movie in a non-Avid program.

Import a QuickTime movie that has been compressed with this codec into an Avid editing application as 1:1 10-bit MXF, SD, or HD corresponding to the source resolution. You can 'fast import' the movie if you select the 601/709 option in the Import Settings dialog box and you import the video as 1:1 10-bit MXF into an SD or HD project corresponding to the QuickTime movie resolution.

Exporting from a non-Avid product: Export a Quicktime movie at a size of 720 x 486 (D1 NTSC), 720 x 576 (D1 PAL), 1920 x 1080 (1080i/p HD), or 1280 x 720 (720p HD) for optimal quality.

Alpha: This codec does not support alpha channels.

Avid DNxHD
Exporting using an Avid Editing Application: When DNxHD material is exported 'same as source' or as a QuickTime reference movie from an Avid editing application, the Avid DNxHD codec is used to view the movie in a non-Avid program.

Import a QuickTime movie that has been compressed with this codec into an Avid editing application as DNxHD. You can 'fast import' the movie if you select the 601/709 option in the Import Settings dialog box and import the video as DNxHD into an HD project of corresponding size and frame rate of the QuickTime movie.

Exporting from a non-Avid product: Export a movie at a size of 1920 x 1080 (1080i/p HD), 1280 x 720 (720p HD), or 1440 x 1080 (DNxHD-TR 1080i/p) for optimal quality.

Alpha: This codec supports alpha channels.

Avid DV
Exporting using an Avid Editing Application: When DV material is exported 'same as source' or as a QuickTime reference movie from an Avid editing application, the Avid DV codec is used to view the movie in a non-Avid program.

Import a QuickTime movie that has been compressed with this codec into an Avid editing application as DV 25 411 or DV 50, corresponding to the source.

Exporting from a non-Avid product: Export a movie at native 720 x 480 (NTSC) or 720 x 576 (PAL) for best quality. You can 'fast import' the movie if you select the 601/709 option in the Import Settings dialog box and import the video as a DV resolution into an SD project.

Alpha: This codec does not support alpha channels.

Avid DV 100
Exporting using an Avid Editing Application: When DV100 material is exported 'same as source' or as a QuickTime reference movie from an Avid editing application, the Avid DV 100 codec is used to view the movie in a non-Avid program.

Import a QuickTime movie that has been compressed with this codec into an Avid editing application as DVCPRO� HD. You can 'fast import' the movie if you select the 601/709 option in the Import Settings dialog box and the import the video as DVCPRO HD into an HD project of corresponding frame size of the QuickTime movie.

Exporting from a non-Avid product: Export a movie at 1920 x 1080 (HD 1080i/p) or 1280 x 720 (HD 720p) for best quality.

Alpha: This codec does not support alpha channels.

Avid MPEG 50 Codec
Exporting using an Avid Editing Application: When MPEG 30, MPEG 40, or MPEG 50 material is exported 'same as source' or as a QuickTime reference movie from an Avid editing application, the Avid MPEG 50 codec is used to view the movie in a non-Avid program.

Import a QuickTime movie that has been compressed with this codec into an Avid editing application as MPEG 30, MPEG 40, or MPEG 50, OMF, or MXF. You can 'fast import' the movie if you select the 601/709 option in the Import Settings dialog box and import the video as MPEG 30, MPEG 40, or MPEG 50, OMF, or MXF.

Exporting from a non-Avid product: Export a movie at 720 x 486 (D1 NTSC) or 720 x 576 (D1 PAL) for best quality.

Alpha: This codec does not support alpha channels.

by Brian Fisher • Feb 28,2020 • Proven solutions

Why Do We Need MP4 Codec?

Not all video formats can play on Mac devices. You may find that the media player on your Mac gives an error whenever you play an MP4 file. To solve this, you need a codec. An MP4 codec enables the media players such as QuickTime to play files that it did not support such as MP4 files. Although QuickTime on Mac devices supports MP4 files, it only contains some of the codecs, which means that if your file has a codec that is not supported, it will not play. Therefore, you should install the required codec or convert the files to a format support by the media player.

Part 1. Best MP4 Codec to Play MP4 Videos on Mac

UniConverter is the best MP4 codec that can enable playing of MP4 videos on Mac devices. The converter is a tool used to convert videos and audio from one format to another. In this case, it can convert the MP4 files on your Mac device to a format that is recognized by the media player. Other than converting, the software can also be used for editing videos, burning DVDs and downloading audio and video files from various sharing sites.

Video Converter - UniConverter

Get the Best MP4 Codec:

• Convert MP4 videos to Mac compatible format with only three simple steps.
• Convert MP4 videos to many more video/audio formats as you need.
• Download online videos from various video sharing websites.
• Burn MP4 or any to DVD, copy DVD file as a backup.
• Edit your MP4 videos files before conversion.
• Preserve the original video quality after conversion.

Simple Steps to Convert MP4 Files on Mac with the Best MP4 Codec

Step 1. Importing MP4 files

Mp4 Codec Mac

You can convert audio, DVD and video files. To place the files in the converter, you can import them in two ways. One method is by dragging and dropping them to the converter’s window. You may also go to the main menu and select 'Add Files' to achieve this.

Step 2. Set output format

The program supports more than 150 formats. Choose the one compatible with the media player in your Mac. You will find the formats grouped into six categories. Here, the recommended format is 'MOV'.

Step 3. Start Conversion

The conversion begins when you click the 'Convert' button. Once the conversion is complete, a prompt message appears asking you if to open the folder. If your output was for devices such as iPad, iPod, iPhone or Apple TV, they are automatically added to the iTunes library. The converted format can now play on your Mac device while retaining the original quality.

Xvid Video Codec For Mac

Part 2. Recommend Another Three MP4 Codec Pack for Mac

#1. Perian

Hd Codecs For Mac Catalina

Perian is a QuickTime component that adds codec to QuickTime to enable it play videos and audio that it is not currently supporting such as MP4. By installing perian, your device can play a wide variety of formats including AVI, DivX, MKV, MP4 and FLV.

Pros:
Supports many media files.
Cons:
It is no longer being developed.
It only works with earlier versions of QuickTime such as 7.6.6 and not 10.

#2. Pavtube iMedia Converter for Mac

Pavtube iMedia Converter for Mac converts videos to a format that can be played on Mac. It can convert the MP4 videos to a supported format such as Quicktime.mov. The converter also supports the editing of the video before conversion.

Pros:
The converter supports various OS X systems from 10.5 Leopard to 10.11 El Capitan.
Other than conversion, it is a blue ray and DVD ripper.
It preserves the original quality of the videos.
Cons:
It does not convert M4V movies that have been purchased on iTunes to any other format.

#3. Aiseesoft MP4 Converter for Mac

Aiseesoft MP4 converter converts video and audio to and from MP4 on Mac devices. It converts formats such as AVI, MXF, WMV, MP4 and FLV to MP4, DivX, MKV and WMV. It also provides editing functions to help in personalizing the video files. The converted files can then be played on media players, tablets, smartphones and other portable MP4 players.

Pros:
It has a user-friendly interface that can be used even by inexperienced users.
It provides many options for converting files and it has fast conversions.
Cons:
The editing options are basic and may not impress advanced users.
The trial version only converts five minutes of long clips and half the clip of short clips.

Codecs For Mac Os X