Overview

What is QuickTime?

At its simplest, QuickTime is software that allows Mac and Windows users to play back audio and video on their computers. But taking a deeper look, QuickTime is many things: a file format, an environment for media authoring and a suite of applications:

  • QuickTime Player — for playing back audio and video files
  • QuickTime Pro — for flexible multimedia authoring
  • Browser plug-ins — for viewing media within a web page
  • PictureViewer — for working with still images (Windows only; Preview is available on Mac OS X)
  • QuickTime Streaming Server — Open source streaming server for delivering streaming media files on the Internet in real time (Mac OS X only)
  • Darwin Streaming Server — for delivering streaming media with Linux, Solaris and Windows
  • QuickTime Broadcaster — for delivering live events on the Internet (free download; Mac OS X only)
  • MPEG-2 Playback Component — for playing back MPEG-2 content (requires separate purchase)

What are the key features of QuickTime 7?

QuickTime 7 has many features. They are described on the QuickTime Player page.

What’s new in QuickTime 7?

QuickTime 7, available for Mac OS X, Panther and Windows, is a major release which includes a host of new features.

  • H.264 video. Ultra efficient new codec delivering stunning quality at remarkably low data rates from 3G to iChat AV to HD.
  • Mutlchannel audio playback. Experience full, surround sound audio playback with QuickTime 7 Player.
  • Live resize. With QuickTime 7 you get clear, fluid playback even as you change the size of your player window.
  • New playback capabilities. Adjust playback settings as you would on a DVD player or VCR with the new jog shuttle and playback speed control panel.
  • Zero config streaming. QuickTime 7 delivers an effortless streaming experience by automatically determining your connection speed to ensure you get the highest-quality content stream possible. If you lose your connection to a stream, QuickTime 7 even reconnects for you.

These are just a sampling of the new features in QuickTime 7 player. Visit the QuickTime Player website for the complete list.

How popular is QuickTime?

QuickTime is a leading cross-platform multimedia technology. More than 10 million copies of QuickTime are downloaded every month. And more than 20,000 applications and content CDs include QuickTime, with hundreds more licensed every month. In addition, more than 200 models of digital video cameras use QuickTime to capture or display their files.

How much does QuickTime cost?

QuickTime (including QuickTime Player, PictureViewer and browser plug-ins) is free of charge. QuickTime Pro is an upgrade to QuickTime, and is $37.99. QuickTime Streaming Server is included with Mac OS X Server and Darwin Streaming Server is free, both with no per-stream licensing fees. QuickTime Broadcaster (for Mac OS X) is also available as a free download. The QuickTime MPEG-2 Playback Component is available for $30.00 for Mac OS X and Windows.

How do I get QuickTime?

QuickTime is available as a free download from the Internet.

How do I get QuickTime Pro?

Once you have QuickTime, you may choose to upgrade to QuickTime Pro, which provides editing and creation features. Visit the Apple Store to purchase your key, which you use to unlock the features of QuickTime Pro.

Which platforms are supported by QuickTime 7?

QuickTime is a truly cross-platform technology. It supports Mac OS X Tiger, Leopard, and Panther, Windows XP and Vista.

Does QuickTime still support Mac OS 9?

QuickTime 6.0.3 is the latest version of QuickTime available for users of Mac OS 8.6 and Mac OS 9.x. See QuickTime Version Availability table for the language and operating system availability.

What are the system requirements for QuickTime 7?

Please see the system requirements on the QuickTime download page.

I already have QuickTime 6. Can I upgrade to QuickTime 7 for free?

Upgrades to QuickTime 7 Player are free. Upgrades to QuickTime 7 Pro are $37.99.

I upgraded to QuickTime 6.4 or QuickTime 6.5 and my QuickTime MPEG-2 Playback Component no longer works. What should I do?

For Mac OS X users, a new version of the MPEG-2 Playback Component is required for use with QuickTime 6.4 or later. If you purchased the MPEG-2 Playback Component from the Apple Store online or received it with Final Cut Pro 4 or DVD Studio Pro 2, you are eligible to receive the new version for free. Learn how you can obtain this free update.

How do I get QuickTime help once it’s installed?

While QuickTime is running, you can get help by selecting QuickTime Help from the Help menu. Visit www.apple.com/support and click the QuickTime icon to view all the support resources available.

I have QuickTime 6. Can I run both QuickTime 6 and QuickTime 7 on the same machine?

No. QuickTime 7 will replace QuickTime 6 upon installation.

Can I still play my old QuickTime movies with QuickTime 7?

Yes. We strive to ensure backward compatibility with content created with older versions of QuickTime. In fact, movies created with QuickTime 1 still play today in QuickTime 7.

Can I get QuickTime on CD?

No. Apple provides QuickTime as a download from the Web, or bundled with the Mac OS.

Where can I find technical support?

Visit www.apple.com/support and click the QuickTime icon to view all the support resources available.

Where can I find things to watch in QuickTime?

Check out cool QuickTime content by choosing Open Content Guide in the Windows Menu in QuickTime Player to watch content from the best names in entertainment, news and sports. Or visit www.apple.com/quicktime to see a comprehensive guide to the best in QuickTime media.

What tools support Cubic VR?

Apple has a developer tool called QTVR Make Cubic that will help you build a Cubic VR. Visit developer.apple.com/quicktime/ and click on Tools. Third-party developers provide support for Cubic VR. Check our QTVR Tools page for product news.

How can I get more information about developing with QuickTime?

Joining the Apple Developer Connection will give you access to resources for developing with QuickTime, including beta releases, sample code, tutorials, and more. Visit www.apple.com/developer for membership information. Also, visit our Resources page for links to mailing lists, training classes, books and other resources.

How can I find companies providing QuickTime-related products and services?

Visit our Resources page for lists of companies creating tools and providing services such as content authoring, content hosting, webcasting and more.

What are the system requirements for playing iTunes Store purchased videos in QuickTime Player?

To play purchased videos in QuickTime Player, we recommend your system meet these requirements:

(Macintosh)

  • 1 GHz G4 processor or better
  • 256MB RAM
  • 16MB video RAM
  • QuickTime 7.1.3 or later
  • Mac OS X 10.3.9, 10.4.9 or later

(Windows)

  • 2.0 GHz Pentium-class processor or better
  • 512MB of RAM
  • 32MB video RAM
  • QuickTime 7.1.3 or later
  • Windows XP Service Pack 2 or Vista

QuickTime Pro

What is QuickTime Pro?

QuickTime Pro is an upgrade to QuickTime that unlocks editing and creation features that enable you to:

  • Capture video and audio from a digital video camera*
  • Build Media Skins to display your media files in a custom environment
  • Encode and transcode media in dozens of formats, including the new H.264, AAC, MPEG-4, 3GPP and 3GPP2
  • Edit using simple cut, copy and paste functions
  • And much more

To get the most out of QuickTime Pro, take a look at the helpful books and CD-ROMs about QuickTime on our Resources page.

* QuickTime 7 Pro for Windows currently supports audio capture only.

Can I automate workflows?

On a Macintosh, you can use AppleScript or Tiger-only Automator and QuickTime Pro to automate most any workflow, from the simple to the complex. Visit the AppleScript website for hundreds of QuickTime-compatible scripts. On Windows, you can use VB Script.

Will my QuickTime 6 Pro key work with QuickTime 7?

Because QuickTime 7 includes royalty-bearing technologies, a new QuickTime Pro key is required to unlock Pro functionality in QuickTime 7. If your key no longer works, visit the Apple Store to purchase a new one.

I want to use my QuickTime 6 Pro key, but I’ve installed QuickTime 7. What do I do?

You’ll need to run an older version of QuickTime. Previous versions of QuickTime are available in our Technical Support area.

Will a QuickTime Pro key for Windows work on a Mac and vice versa?

No. QuickTime Pro keys are platform-specific. Windows keys will work on all supported Windows platforms. Macintosh keys will work on all supported Mac operating systems, including Mac OS X.

How do I enter my registration key?

Keys are entered in the QuickTime Registration panel, either in the QuickTime Control Panel (Mac OS and Windows) or QuickTime Preferences (Mac OS X). See detailed instructions for registering your QuickTime Pro key on Mac OS X, Mac OS 9 and Windows.

I’ve lost my QuickTime Pro key. What should I do?

Simply sign in with your Apple ID and password and you will get directed to the web page where you can retrieve your key.

I have my key but have lost the program. How can I get it again?

Simply download QuickTime for free from the QuickTime Download page.

QuickTime Pro and iPod

How do you create content for playback on iPod?

QuickTime 7 Pro users who upgrade to version 7.0.3 or later will have a new option in the export panel called “Movie to iPod.” By choosing this option your content will be automatically converted into a format that iPod can play back. See the Creating Video for Your iPod tutorial for more information.

What kind of file does QuickTime Pro create for playback on iPod?

With QuickTime 7.0.3 or later installed, QuickTime 7 Pro will automatically create an .m4v file containing H.264 video and AAC audio when the “Movie to iPod” option is chosen from the Export panel. These files are specially optimized for smooth playback on iPod.

If I don’t have QuickTime 7.0.3 or later installed can I still create content for iPod?

We highly recommend you install QuickTime 7.0.3 or later and use QuickTime 7 Pro to create files specifically optimized for playback on iPod. See the Creating Video for Your iPod tutorial for more information. However, it is possible to create content for iPod using QuickTime 6 Pro or later. Files must comply with the video specifications of the device. iPod supports the following video formats:

  • H.264 video, up to 1.5 Mbps, 640 x 480, 30 frames per sec., Low-Complexity version of the H.264 Baseline Profile audio up to 160 kbps, 48 Khz, stereo audio in .m4v, .mp4, and .mov file formats
  • H.264 video, up to 768 kbps, 320 x 240, 30 frames per sec., Baseline Profile up to Level 1.3 with AAC-LC audio up to 160 kbps, 48 Khz, stereo audio in .m4v, .mp4, and .mov file formats
  • MPEG-4 video, up to 2.5 Mbps, 640 x 480, 30 frames per sec., Simple Profile with AAC-LC audio up to 160 kbps, 48 Khz, stereo audio in .m4v, .mp4, and .mov file formats

Can I create a video podcast with QuickTime 7.0.3?

With QuickTime 7.0.3 or later installed, QuickTime 7 Pro allows you to create files for video podcasting but the user is responsible for creating the correct RSS wrapper and hosting the file on a web server. Please see our tutorial on Creating Video Podcasts with QuickTime Pro

Do I need QuickTime Pro to create videos for iPod?

While QuickTime Pro is an easy and inexpensive option for creating video optimized for iPod, once you’ve installed QuickTime 7.0.3, generally speaking, applications that allow you to create (i.e. export) QuickTime movies should also allow you to create video optimized for iPod. Examples are iMovie, Final Cut Pro, and many third party content creation applications. iTunes 6.0.7 and later also allows you to convert video for use on iPod.

What kind of video can I bring into QuickTime Pro and convert for playback on iPod?

QuickTime Pro can convert a wide variety of video formats to play back on the iPod, including DV, Motion JPEG and many others. Please see the QuickTime web site for a full list of formats QuickTime supports. Sometimes other third-party video formats can also be converted with QuickTime Pro by installing a third-party plug-in or component to QuickTime. In general, if you can play the video in QuickTime Player, you can convert it to play on the iPod using QuickTime Pro — with a few exceptions: MPEG-2 (converting will yield video only, audio will be lost) and non-video content like Flash and VR. To find out if a third-party video format can be converted to other formats with QuickTime Pro, please consult the third party plug-in’s product documentation.

Can developers create applications that author content for iPod?

Yes, access to the QuickTime export panel, which includes this new export option, is available in the Macintosh and Windows software development kit (SDK) for QuickTime 7.