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 Tiger and Leopard, 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 $29.99. 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 is also available as a free download for Mac OS X. The QuickTime MPEG-2 Playback Component is available for $19.99 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.

I have 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.

What are the system requirements for QuickTime 7?

See our Tech Specs page.