History of the MOV file.

Apple released the MOV as the proprietary QuickTime file format back in 1998. They designed it to facilitate easy multimedia transfers between different devices, operating systems, and apps. Apple also created this handy file to support different media types under one roof.

In terms of history and functionality, MOV ties closely to the MP4, though its release came years earlier. As both files use MPEG-4 encoding, meaning quality remains when compressed, they’re interchangeable in the QuickTime environment.

Non-Apple operating systems, streaming sites, and social media all widely support MOV files — although though not as widely as MP4.

Pros and cons of MOV files.

MOV files are the go-to for the QuickTime format and their compatibility also extends to Windows systems too. This compatibility is a major plus point, but there are some downsides to the filetype too.

How to open a MOV file.

MOV files work best with Apple programs like iTunes and QuickTime.

To open your file in QuickTime:

  1. Choose File>Open file, then choose your MOV file from your desktop, downloads or folders.
  2. QuickTime will open your file automatically and provide playback options.

To open in iTunes:

  1. Open iTunes on your laptop or desktop.
  2. Click File>Add to library and add your MOV file. Or you can drag your file directly into the player.
  3. Click View>Select movies and choose your MOV file.

To open in Windows:

  1. Install QuickTime Player for Windows.
  2. Right-click your MOV file and select “Open with.”
  3. Choose QuickTime Player.

You can also upload your MOV file to Google Drive, so anyone can stream your file easily on any device.

How to create and edit a MOV file.

To create a MOV file, you can open your file with a compatible video editor and simply save it as .MOV.

To open your MOV file in Premiere Pro, follow these simple steps:

  1. Launch Premiere Pro on your device.
  2. Create a New Project, by selecting File > Import From Media Browser.
  3. Choose your MOV file and click Import.
  4. After importing MOV file into Premiere Pro, you can simply drag it into a Timeline to start editing.

It can be difficult to import MOV files into Premiere Pro if your file has an unsupported codec (software that compresses and decompresses the video itself). In this case, it might be worth converting your codec to a ProRes, H264/AVC or even converting your file entirely to MP4.

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What devices can play MOV files?

You can play MOV files natively on Apple programmes like QuickTime Movie and iTunes. They’re also compatible with third-party players like VLC and Emelda Player. Windows supports QuickTime Movie, so you can also play MOV files on your PC.

Are MOV files better than MP4?

MOV files provide a higher quality playback than MP4, and also offer more versatility for editing. However, they’re often larger and they’re not as widely supported. As a result, you might find MOV files are more useful for some purposes, and prefer MP4s for others.

Can you convert MOV files to MP4?

It’s easy to convert your MOV files to MP4 to reduce their size and improve their compatibility. Simply open your MOV in a compatible video editor and save it as an MP4 or use a file converter.

Why can’t you play a MOV file?

MOV files aren’t always compatible on every video playback program. It’s important to ensure that the correct player for the operating system you are looking to play the video on is installed. Alternatively, you can look to convert your MOV file to another format, such as MP4.

Does YouTube accept MOV files?

YouTube supports MOV files, which makes them great option for high-quality video playback. However, it’s worth keeping MOV’s H.264 codec and aspect ratio consistent with the platform to get the best results.

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Learn more about similar container file types.

Find out more about video editing software you can use in your own creative projects.

Adobe Premiere Pro After Effects Media Encoder

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