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tobytobywan's avatar
tobytobywan
Explorer | Level 3
8 years ago
Solved

.mov files not playing on my mac

Hi

I have a Macbook Pro operating on OS X El Capitan. I have noticed that all my .mov files I have taken on my iphone (X and 7) from about mid last year to now do not play on my Mac.

Quickplayer states that the files cannot be played and iMovies will not allow me to select these files as they are greyed out.

My Dropbox is upto date to the latest verion as I have it set on automatic update.

The issue only occurs on files I have synced to my dropbox account as I can airdrop them from my phone (by passing Dropbox) and they play on my machine file.

Please help.

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Mac
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  • Walter's avatar
    Walter
    8 years ago

    Thanks for the additional information tobytobywan - much appreciated.

    Are you running the desktop application (stating "Up to date" that indicates you're fully synced) at the moment?

    As you're able to preview those files in our website, I guess that you're missing a codec in your computer (essential for this type of files) and that's why you're getting this error message. Have you tried another application to open those files or better yet contact QuickTime directly as the error you get is coming from their app and not Dropbox whatsoever? 

    Keep me posted on your findings please and happy Monday!

     

5 Replies

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  • Walter's avatar
    Walter
    Icon for Dropbox Community Moderator rankDropbox Community Moderator
    8 years ago

    Hey there tobytobywan - sorry to hear about this; let's have a look into this.

    First off all, could you send me a screenshot of the problem so I can investigate further?

    Also, are you able to preview those files in the website? 

    Last but not least, can you look at the Dropbox icon in your menu bar and see if it is done syncing. When Dropbox is fully synced then you should see a tick followed by the words “Up to date” on the menu. If you don't see this, could you tell me what it reads? 

    Thanks!

  • tobytobywan's avatar
    tobytobywan
    Explorer | Level 3
    8 years ago

    Hi Walter

    Please see attached screen shots. You will see that there are now no thumbnails on the .mov files and when I click I get the message on the other scree shot.

    I can preview the files on the website. It's the files on my mac that are synced with my Dropbox account that are the problem.

    Finally, yes all syncing had been completed with the words "up to date" displayed.

    Thanks

  • Walter's avatar
    Walter
    Icon for Dropbox Community Moderator rankDropbox Community Moderator
    8 years ago

    Thanks for the additional information tobytobywan - much appreciated.

    Are you running the desktop application (stating "Up to date" that indicates you're fully synced) at the moment?

    As you're able to preview those files in our website, I guess that you're missing a codec in your computer (essential for this type of files) and that's why you're getting this error message. Have you tried another application to open those files or better yet contact QuickTime directly as the error you get is coming from their app and not Dropbox whatsoever? 

    Keep me posted on your findings please and happy Monday!

     

  • mattypoo's avatar
    mattypoo
    New member | Level 2
    7 years ago

    Did you figure out a fix for this? I am having the same issue.

  • Walter's avatar
    Walter
    Icon for Dropbox Community Moderator rankDropbox Community Moderator
    7 years ago

    Hey there mattypoo  - how are you today?

    Have you, by any chance, tried another software to open the files you're trying to access when you get this error? 

    While you're at it, could you let me know your desktop app's exact status? Is it 'up to date' or still syncing?

    If you're still getting the same error, could you forward me a screenshot to make sure we're on the same page? 

    Thanks!

     

    [This thread is now closed by moderators due to inactivity. If you're experiencing a similar behavior, feel free to start a new discussion in the Dropbox Community here.]

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