File Extension Database

Open MOV File

A file that has the MOV extension is an MPEG4 video container multimedia format developed by Apple for use with the QuickTime program, using Apple's proprietary compression algorithm and introduced in 1998.

MPEG-4 is a group of international standards for digital audio and visual data compression, multimedia systems, and file storage formats.

Currently, the MOV format has become one of the most common video files along with AVI, MP4 or WMV, and can be used not only on Apple systems but also on Windows and other multimedia devices capable of playing these files. .

Within a MOV file you can store both audio, video and text through different tracks.

These are saved in a QuickTime format (QTFF), which is a computer file format used natively by the QuickTime framework.

Due to the above, this MOV file format is somewhat less widespread than other better known ones.

In fact, if you are not very experienced users in these matters, you may be surprised to find yourself with a MOV that, for example, arrives by mail or we download from any website.

And even your Windows computer may not recognize the MOV extension as it may not have the codec installed.

Differences between MOV and MP4

Although the MP4 format is also based on the QTFF format used by MOV files, there are notable differences between them.

Both are lossy compression formats, which means that there are parts of the file that are trimmed to reduce the file size, such as resolution, FPS, colors or audio frequencies.

But there are notable differences between the two, since MOV files are usually of higher quality and size than MP4 files, although the former do not offer the same degree of compatibility as the latter.

The MP4 file is more common than the MOV, so it offers greater compatibility with a wide variety of devices, both software and hardware.

Due to these differences, each format can be better adapted to our needs.

If we want to save a video with higher quality regardless of the storage space, it is better to choose the MOV format, while if we prioritize compatibility, we should surely choose the MP4 format instead.

Opening a MOV file

As we have mentioned, the MOV file was created by Apple to open with QuickTime, but it is currently compatible with other players.

In Windows, it is possible to open MOV files with the help of one of these players that come with the appropriate codec.

In the case of Linux, depending on the distribution, they will be able to open a MOV file, even with the standard players.

Although it cannot be claimed that all current media players are capable of opening a MOV file, we should be able to do so with most.

In fact, some of the software solutions that we know more than enough and that we have at our fingertips, are perfectly capable of giving us this ability to open MOV files.

Software to open and play a MOV file

File Extension MOV

File extension MOV is most commonly associated with a QuickTime Video Clip, a multimedia container file format developed by Apple. MOV files use a proprietary compression algorithm, and are compatible on both Windows and Mac platforms. Though much less common, the MOV file extension is also used to denote an AutoCAD AutoFLIX animation movie.

QuickTime MOV files are capable of storing two or more tracks, which can be audio, video, text, graphics or effects, making them suitable for a wide variety of applications, including video editing. Each track comprises either of an encoded media stream or a reference to a media stream located in another file, which allows the embedding of existing media.

AutoFLIX MOV files are used to store animations and basic presentations, and are essentially a sequential list of commands that are run in the AutoCAD editor in order to display an animated sequence. AutoFLIX was developed to take advantage of the 3D functionality of AutoCAD Release 10, which was released in 1988. Full 3D rendering was also possible with the addition of AutoSHADE.

QuickTime Player can be used to open and play back existing QuickTime MOV files, whilst QuickTime Pro can be used to edit and export MOV files. QuickTime Pro also allows MOV files on the web to be saved locally, a feature not always available with the basic QuickTime Player. QuickTime Alternative is a codec pack developed by a third party which can open MOV files in other media playing software such as Media Player Classic. However, as this is not licensed by Apple, it is possible that not all of the features of MOV files are supported.

You can open AutoFLIX MOV files using either AutoFLIX and AutoCAD, or the AFEGA presentation program, both of which require a DOS platform or emulator to run on.

Typical MOV application file locations:

  • C:\Program Files (x86)\iTunes\iTunes.exe /open "%L"
  • "C:\Program Files (x86)\iTunes\iTunes.exe" /play "%L"
  • C:\Program Files (x86)\QuickTime\QuickTimePlayer.exe "%1"
  • "C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Media Player\wmplayer.exe" /prefetch:6 /Play "%L"

Typical MOV mime types:

  • video/quicktime

Frequently used application names to open MOV files:

  • iTunes
  • QuickTime
  • Windows Media Player

Frequently associated Windows objects:

  • iTunes.mov
  • QuickTime.mov
  • WMP11.AssocFile.MOV

How Can I Open MOV File on Windows

How Can I Open MOV File on Mac OS

How Can I Open MOV File on Android

If you downloaded a MOV file on Android device you can open it by following steps below:

How to Open MOV File on iPhone or iPad

To open MOV File on iOS device follow steps below:

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MOV file article translations

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