"I’ve some AVI files but the QuickTime player couldn’t play AVI files. I was told the AVI file was not accepted by QuickTime. How to play AVI files on Mac? Do I need other software to play AVI files?” Many people would meet such a situation that they can’t play AVI files on computers. You may have the same problem opening AVI format with native players. This tutorial would show you how to play AVI files on Windows and Mac as well as several free AVI video players for you to choose from.
Part 1: Brief Introduction to AVI
The first reason to utilize software to play AVI files is linked to the AVI format trait. Representing Audio Video Interleave, AVI files are containers for actual video and audio data. As a common standard video format, the media inside could be applied with miscellaneous codecs such as DivX and XviD. While aiming fewer compressions to restore the real image quality, it takes up much more space than other similar files. Meantime, uncompressed AVI files do exist but with immense capacity. Corresponding AVI codecs are required to deliver AVI content.
Windows Media Player is supposed to play AVI files by default since AVI format is developed by Microsoft, but a variety of factors from installing other programs to Windows updates can result in the AVI not playing. Mac QuickTime Player is obviously not supporting AVI files playback. Therefore, Mac users may need to adopt some software to play AVI files on Mac.
Part 2: 3 Free Programs to Play AVI File on Windows & Mac
Here I would like to share 3 best free AVI player applications if you are looking for how to play AVI files on your computer or laptop. These 3 top free AVI video players are all available in both Windows and Mac. You could try either software to play AVI files.
1. Leawo Free Blu-ray Player
On the top of the best free AVI player software list is Leawo Free Blu-ray Player. Featuring 4K resolution support, everyone can use it as a free AVI video player to play AVI files up to 4K on Windows and Mac easily. It recognizes videos and audios in 180+ formats, including AVI, MP4, MKV, FLV, MPEG, MOV, WMV, etc. As its name suggested, Leawo Free Blu-ray Player is a region free Blu-ray player program that displays Blu-ray/DVD high-quality content regardless of disc protection and region code restriction. Movie fans are encouraged to get this free download AVI player because it is able to play all the movies without any quality loss.
Actually, it is a media player suite that comprises a free AVI video player, free music player, and a free ISO player. Meanwhile, it is equipped with a handful of practical toolkits such as the virtual remote control support, battery protection plans, a screenshot snapper, and settable themes and skins. The multilingual interface will ensure novices to understand and navigate around with ease. Moreover, it can convert Blu-ray/DVD into MKV files losslessly.
2. VLC Media Player
VLC Media Player is a simple and open source cross-platform best media player to playback various types of video files. You can also use it to play DVDs, CDs, VCDs, and a number of streaming protocols. No codec packs are needed and it’s completely free. You can open double windows if you want to actually view the playlist. VLC media player could also play as free AVI video player software to play AVI files on Windows/Mac/iOS/Android/Linux easily. The pity is that unlike Leawo Free Blu-ray Player, VLC media player sometimes couldn’t play Blu-ray disc and many VLC users say they have the problem “VLC No Valid Processing Key Found in AACS Config File”. And you need to install add-ins.
3. 5KPlayer
5KPlayer is a mixture of the free AVI video player, free HD video player, music player, AirPlay media streamer, and online video downloader. All 4K, HD videos including MKV, MTS, AVCHD are supported. With the AirPlay streaming tech, thie free AVI player can act as an AirPlay sender/receiver: stream video music from iPhone, iPad to PC or from PC to Apple TV. But it has limited skins settings which does not change the appearance.
Leawo Blu-ray Player | VLC Media Player | 5K Player | |
---|---|---|---|
Supported Platforms | Windows, macOS | Windows, macOS | Windows, macOS |
DLNA enabled media streaming | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Playback speed control | up to 16x speed | up to 3x speed | up to 3x speed |
Blu-ray support | Yes | Supported with plug-ins | Yes |
Video effects | Yes | No | No |
Supported video and audio formats | Over 180 | Unclear (plug-ins can be added) | Unclear (plug-ins can be added) |
Premium audio | Dolby, DTS, AAC, TrueHD, DTS-HD (including 5.1, 7.1 channels) supported | No | No |
Power manager | Yes | No | No |
Virtual controller panel | Yes | No | No |
Ability to watch videos at visual angles | Yes | No | No |
Changeable skins | Yes | No | No |
Part 3: How to Play AVI File with Free Software
Besides understanding the free AVI video player above, we should also have a closer look at how to play AVI files exactly. Hence, I will illustrate the steps with the best-of-all Leawo player software to play AVI files, rather than make use of add-ins. This guide will take the Windows version for demonstration; note that the Mac performance will be the same.
Step 1.
Download and install the Leawo free AVI player on the device. Leawo Blu-ray Player for Mac is available as the Mac free download AVI player.
Step 2.
Import the source AVI content to the free download AVI player. Open this free AVI player software to play AVI files by clicking on the “Open File” box or directly throw AVI files to the interface. It is a smart app that detects and captures all potential media automatically. When your AVI movies are recognized, the playback will begin immediately.
Step 3.
Make AVI movie subtitles appear or disappear. Move the mouse under the AVI video title and a black bar will be dropped. Click on the first icon standing for the subtitles to visit this dialog box. Tick the first option to enable subtitles, vice versa.
Step 4.
Do some changes to AVI video parameters. Right-click on the free AVI video player window and select the “Video” item from the list to reach the video settings. Please feel free to personalize anything.
Step 5.
Adjust audio settings. You can either call out the shortcut banner or the right-click menu to choose the “Audio” option. Boosting the volume limitation is applicable.
Part 4: Another Way to Play AVI File on All Players
A free AVI player software app could be the first choice for most people. However, for those who would like to play AVI files on iPhones or upload AVI files to blog or YouTube for sharing, a better alternative to free AVI player software is recommended - Leawo Video Converter.
With the most versatile AVI converter on Windows and Mac, you can turn AVI format into whatever suitable formats for the original player programs. It is capable of decoding AVI videos and other files between hundreds of formats for numerous applications and portable devices. For example, individuals are enabled to stream AVI movies on iPhone, iPad, Android smartphones, Microsoft Windows electronic, and gaming equipment. Specialized in keeping 1:1 source quality, each future outcome will be retained with no further compressions. In addition, the amazing stability also brings the unbelievable 6-times higher speed. Selectable subtitles and audio tracks are at hand, clients are able to even merge external subtitles for AVI video polishment. What’s more, the implanted video editor gives us the opportunity to get customized videos for more fun, which means we can edit AVI files on Windows and Mac before converting. At the same time, this multi-functional tool does not miss a photo slideshow creator for all-purpose usage.
Mastering how to play AVI files with Windows Media Player or QuickTime, this feasible instruction will lead the way to success with simplicity. Go to the website of Leawo Video Converter and download the installation package. After installing the app completely, it is time to follow the below section.
Step 1.
Load AVI from local drives to the Leawo Video Converter.
Both choosing the “Add Video” and pulling the AVI files to the interface then release can add AVI files to the program. Once AVI data is accepted, the center area will come up with file bars.
Step 2.
Navigate to the Profile panel. You need to find the output format settings. Tap the “MP4 Video” option to select the “Change” from the drop-down box.
Step 3.
Decide on a proper format for your current media player. Easily input the wanted file extension to the left search tool or check out the tabs to explore more standards. Users are allowed to customize their own formats.
Step 4.
Assign the directory and begin the lossless conversion. Click the green “Convert” at first, pick up a pathway to store the coming files then hit the below “Convert” icon.