Can't Perian decode MPEG2 files?

[FullGaz]

I read on the main page that Perian can decode the following formats:

VI, FLV, and MKV file formats
MS-MPEG4 v1 & v2, DivX, 3ivX, H.264, FLV1, FSV1, VP6, H263I, VP3, HuffYUV, FFVHuff, MPEG1 & MPEG2 Video, Fraps, Windows Media Audio v1 & v2, Flash ADPCM, Xiph Vorbis (in Matroska), MPEG Layer II Audio
AVI support for: AAC, AC3 Audio, H.264, MPEG4, and VBR MP3
Subtitle support for SSA and SRT

That list includes MPEG2 but for some reason when I open a MPEG2 file in QT it doesn't play.

I read in another thread that in order to play MPEG2 I would have to get the MPEG2 component from Apple.

So, which one is the right answer? Perian can or cannot play back MPEG2?

[gbooker]

You are confusing the MPEG2 codec with the MPEG2 file format. Perian only does the codec; you need Apple's (buggy) component for the file format

[FullGaz]

That's certainly confusing , but that answers my question, thanks.

[cutie_tech123]

I'm confused with the MPEG codec and the MPEG file format... What are their differences?

cutie_tech123
new york, NY
http://www.animea.net/reviews

[caennluc]

Well, i'm quite confused too!!! Can somebody explain and elaborate?
I understand that weve still had to pay for the MPEG2 componnt that Apple sells? Easy money, no?

[Northern]

It would be nice to know the difference, or a link explaining it.

Does this mean that it can playback mpeg2 but not do anything with it, or just not do anything with it at all. So we would still need the Apple codec? (I gather we still need the Apple one, from the above post).

Also, is there a decent alternative too the Apple MPEG-2 Playback codec thing (I'm unsure), as I don't really feel like paying £14.97 (yep £0.03 off for education peeps - woot) and finding it doesn't do what I need. There seems to be a lot of confusion about the software.

[caennluc]

Nothern, you are perfectly right with your post! I think exactly the same and I have the same questions...
Can anybody tell us if we have to buy that codec thing or not? (another thing: Why do we have to pay fo something which should be included in the OS?)

[caennluc]

I try again: Can anybody tell us if we have to buy that codec thing or not? (another thing: Why do we have to pay fo something which should be included in the OS?)

[David Munch]

Apple had a mpeg-2 codec you could buy some years back. Don't know if it is still possible.

Edit: It still is possible, 30$.

[peterjcat]

The only way to play MPEG2 streams in Quicktime is to buy the Apple Quicktime MPEG Component. But this will NOT work for MPEG2 with Dolby Digital AC3 audio embedded in it: it won't give you any sound. So for many applications the MPEG Component is a waste of money. For this reason there is no really satisfactory way to play MPEG2 in Quicktime.

[Horicon88]

So really what does the Perian plugin do for me then for mpeg2, if it can't play mpeg2 files whats the point? I need the Apple mpeg2 plug to read/open/play files appearently. Someone tell me I'm mis-informed...

[gbooker]

if it can't play mpeg2 files whats the point?

MPEG video can be, and is, used outside of the MPEG container format. The website, quite clearly, states "MPEG1 & MPEG2 Video". We can do very little about the file format until Apple does something to fix QuickTime to support it. Their own method of MPEG reading is very hackish, and shouldn't be done. Nevermind the fact that none of what they did is documented, anywhere!

[putnik]

I am trying to listen to the Internet radio broadcast by the BBC using Quicktime.
I get a message saying I need "application/x-mplayer2".

Is this the same issue as you talk about here and is it possible for Perian to include it?

Thanks Michael