Play FLV files through QuickTime
9.29.2006 – 3:00 pm | by paul
Perian is a FREE QuickTime plugin that greatly expands on the formats that QuickTime can play.
For me, the coolest thing is the ability to play Flash Video (FLV) files through QuickTime. I tend to save a lot of videos I find on YouTube, and until now I’ve had to either convert them to another format, or use FLVThing to play them. With Perian, QuickTime can play those files directly.
Check out the site for the complete list of formats Perian can play. I didn’t see installation instructions on the site, but all you have to do is copy the plugin to /Library/QuickTime or your-user-folder/Library/QuickTime. You may need to create the folder if you decide to place it in your user folder.
For some reason, the download links on the Perian site aren’t working, but you can get the plugin over at Cool OSX Apps.
September 29th, 2006 at 4:23 pm
Wow, thanks! I usually use Video Lan Client for divx video, but I may just start using QuickTime instead.
October 14th, 2006 at 10:23 am
Any trick in order to play them in iTunes?
February 2nd, 2007 at 5:02 pm
[...] Once downloaded you can play the flv files directly in QuickTime via the Perian Plugin, or you can convert them with tools like iSquint. [...]
July 4th, 2008 at 4:30 pm
This is not true! FLV files can not be played in QuickTime (Leopard) even when I have Perian 1.1 installed. It simply won’t show anything inside the window. What is this all about ?!!
July 4th, 2008 at 4:36 pm
@ homemade, Keep in mind that this post was written almost 2 years ago… but, it actually does work just fine under Leopard. I’m running OS X 10.5.4, QT 7.5, and Perian 1.1. I can play FLV files through QuickTime player with no problems.
I think you may have some other conflicts in your system.
October 7th, 2008 at 10:47 pm
Once opened in QuickTime can you export out?
October 8th, 2008 at 9:06 am
Joe - QuickTime can export out, but not all audio codecs are supported. Your best bet is to export out as MPEG-4 (H.264 Video and AAC-LC audio).