video files to play on a MAC

[cspitser]

I have a windows 7 thinkpad and I use adobe pre 11. My friend has a MAC (only 1 year old and I'm sure he has the latest OS)

I have frequently tried to give him video files that I make with pre 11. He just wants to be able to click on a video and watch it, not necessarily to edit it. The mac seems to be very particular about what kinds of files it likes. As you know, pre11 can make a bunch of different files including mpeg and mp4. If I make mp4 files for him, should he be able to copy those files into his MAC and then watch them? is there any particular way he should do this?

Cliff

[Ron Hunter]

His Mac should be able to play MP4 or MOV files using QuickTime player, which is built into the Mac OS. For example, my Macbook Pro can play either type of file with no problem. I'm not aware of any particular "workflow" for this, just insert a flash drive with the file on it, copy onto the Mac and double-click the file.

Maybe if you provide more details about what you are trying to do, and what you are observing, we can provide more specific guidance?

[Bob]

MOV or MP4 files should both be fine. Use H.264 for the video codec and AAC 48 kHz for the audio codec.

[Steve Grisetti]

I agree with Ron and Bob.

With Premiere Elements 11, I recommend using Publish & Share/Computer/AVCHD with the preset for MP4 720p 60. This will create an H.264 video that will have no problems playing on a Mac.

[cspitser]

I agree with Ron and Bob.

With Premiere Elements 11, I recommend using Publish & Share/Computer/AVCHD with the preset for MP4 720p 60. This will create an H.264 video that will have no problems playing on a Mac.

Thanks Steve. What if I have some 1920 X 1080 m2ts footage that I take with my camera. Could I use h264 1920 x 1080p 30?

[cspitser]

I just heard that my friend is also trying to manage some videos with a piece of software called aperture 3. Maybe this is the issue. Do you know what file format aperture 3 expects?

Cliff

[Bob]

Aperture is limited on the formats it will support, but those should work. Why not send a sample to your friend and verify that it works.

[cspitser]

I already sent him one. We'll see if it works. When I look at aperture on the web, it only talks about still pictures - not videos. Have you heard of people using it for videos?

[Steve Grisetti]

If your friend is just going to play the videos, you might as well give them to him as 720p MP4s -- even if the originals are 1920x1080. The 720p files will be much smaller and easier to transport or send to him.

[cspitser]

If your friend is just going to play the videos, you might as well give them to him as 720p MP4s -- even if the originals are 1920x1080. The 720p files will be much smaller and easier to transport or send to him.

excellent point. Thanks

Cliff

[Bob]

Have you heard of people using it for videos?

Yes. Aperture is similar to Adobe LightRoom. It is a non-destructive photo editing and management program which handles a number of common tasks such as importing and organizing image files, applying corrective adjustments, and printing photographs. Video support is centered around managing video taken with still cameras. You can add video to the Aperture catalog, preview it, add keywords and other metadata, and even do some rudimentary editing. But, it is not a replacement for a video editing program.

[cspitser]

bob,

Just to make sure I understand....

Can he add video taken with a video camera to the aperture database and play it from there?

Cliff

[Bob]

Aperture only supports certain video formats, see this list which describes the supported cameras and formats. Notice the officially supported cameras are iphones and still cameras and mainly using h.264. Other video has not been tested by Apple, but as long as you export to .mov or .mp4 files using h.264 and aac as mentioned in the above posts it should probably work and be playable from there.

[cspitser]

I think that pre11 creates mp4 files with h264 video codec but how can I tell if the audio codec is AAC? Properties says audio is 48000 hz.

Cliff

[Peru]

This free application will tell you:
https://mediaarea.net/en/MediaInfo