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Leopard Technical Q&As
QuickTime applications can run on Mac OS X and Microsoft Windows. QuickTime content plays on Mac and Windows computers and on many handheld devices. Content can be served by progressive download from any web server or as real-time streams from streaming servers on all major operating systems. QuickTime supports dozens of file and compression formats for images, video, and audio.

A guided introduction and learning path for developers new to QuickTime.   Essential information for developers using QuickTime.   API references organized by framework.
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Sample Description Endianness (HTML)
QA1598: Describes the endianness of the QuickTime Sample Description Structure and their extensions.
File Format Specification 2008-03-17
Avoiding Pauses When Looping Audio files with QuickTime (HTML)
QA1371: Demonstrates how to avoid pauses when looping audio files with QuickTime
Games 2004-09-08
Compression Sequence APIs - codecErr returned when compressing with H.264 (HTML)
QA1470: Describes why ICM Compression Sequence APIs cannot be used to encode to H.264
Graphics & Imaging 2006-11-15
Compression Sessions - Configuring codec quality settings (HTML)
QA1444: Discusses how to set encoding quality for a Compression Sequence
Graphics & Imaging 2005-10-17
Compression Sessions - Enabling muti-pass encoding (HTML)
QA1450: Describes how to enable multi-pass encoding when using ICM compression sessions.
Graphics & Imaging 2006-01-12
Core Video - Available Pixel Formats (HTML)
QA1501: Discusses how to determine all the pixel format types and format descriptions known to Core Video.
Graphics & Imaging 2007-01-23
Creating Sub GWorlds using QTNewGWorldFromPtr (HTML)
QA1014: Using QTNewGWorldFromPtr to create sub GWorlds which reference the pixel data of other GWorlds.
Graphics & Imaging 2001-03-20
Decompression Sessions - Setting codec accuracy and field mode (HTML)
QA1460: Describes how to set codec accuracy and field mode options when creating a decompression sessions.
Graphics & Imaging 2006-01-12
Extracting DV Fields using QTNewGWorldFromPtr (HTML)
QA1017: Describes using QTNewGWorldFromPtr to access individual fields contained within a frame of DV source.
Graphics & Imaging 2001-03-20
Graphics Exporters - Creating 16-bit-per-channel image files (HTML)
QA1354: Discusses how to use QuickTime Graphics Exporters to create 16-bit-per-channel image files.
Graphics & Imaging 2004-06-03
Implementing a CVFillExtendedPixelsCallBack (HTML)
QA1440: Discusses how you implement a Core Video custom extended pixel fill callback function.
Graphics & Imaging 2005-09-06
Is ColorSync thread safe? (HTML) (日本語 HTML)
QA1261: Discusses ColorSync thread-safety issues.
Graphics & Imaging 2003-04-17
LockPixels and DisposeGWorld with QTNewGWorldFromPtr (HTML)
QA1007: Clarifies some issues surrounding pointer ownership when creating GWorlds with QTNewGWorldFromPtr
Graphics & Imaging 2001-02-26
Movie Export - Always fill in the MovieExportGetDataParams dataSize field (HTML)
QA1304: Outlines the importance of correctly filling in the MovieExportGetDataParams dataSize field when exporting from procedures.
Graphics & Imaging 2005-02-25
Preserving embedded ICC profiles when using QuickTime Graphics Importer/Exporters (HTML) (日本語 HTML)
QA1145: Shows how to preserve the embedded ICC profile when using the QuickTime Graphics Importer/Exporter routines
Graphics & Imaging 2002-09-04
QuickTime Texture Visual Context - kQTVisualContextNotAllowedErr with non-accelerated graphics cards (HTML)
QA1542: Discusses how to create a display mask and avoid a kQTVisualContextNotAllowedErr when using a non-accelerated graphics card.
Graphics & Imaging 2007-09-18
QuickTime Visual Context - Setting the kQTVisualContextOutputColorSpaceKey Attribute (HTML)
QA1550: Describes how to configure a QuickTime OpenGL Texture Visual Context with the kQTVisualContextOutputColorSpaceKey attribute.
Graphics & Imaging 2007-09-28
Registering custom pixel formats with QuickTime and Core Video (HTML)
QA1401: Discusses how to register custom pixel formats with QuickTime & Core Video with QuickTime 7.
Graphics & Imaging 2005-09-06
Using QTPixelBufferContextCreate with NewMovieFromProperties (HTML)
QA1443: Discusses using a QuickTime pixel buffer visual context and NewMovieFromProperties to output frames to pixel buffers.
Graphics & Imaging 2008-08-08
Video Digitizers - Adding Clean Aperture and Pixel Aspect Ratio Information (HTML)
QA1512: Discusses the importance of adding 'pasp' and 'clap' image description extensions to the ImageDescription returned by a VDIG.
Graphics & Imaging 2008-11-20
Why does my identity matrix look strange? (HTML) (日本語 HTML)
QA1227: Discusses the MatrixRecord structure and QuadToQuadMatrix function.
Graphics & Imaging 2003-01-15
Available FireWire Isochronous Bandwidth (HTML)
QA1356: Discusses attempting to "pre-flight" an isochronous bandwidth allocation request by reading the currently available bandwidth.
Hardware & Drivers 2004-07-07
Difference between using Restart or Shut Down in the Finder's Special menu in Open Firmware (HTML) (日本語 HTML)
HW47: Explains the differences between using Restart or Shut Down on Open Firmware
Hardware & Drivers 1999-02-15
IOKit Framework Headers (HTML) (日本語 HTML)
QA1107: Describes the differences between the headers in IOKit.framework and the I/O Kit headers in Kernel.framework.
Hardware & Drivers 2002-01-15
iSight - Configuring gain settings for IIDC cameras (HTML)
QA1421: Discusses how to configure features of IIDC cameras, specifically gain for the iSight
Hardware & Drivers 2005-04-06
Legacy Devices (HTML)
HW84: Discusses why legacy devices with hard-wired I/O addresses may not work properly with Open Firmware.
Hardware & Drivers 2000-03-20
The "packages" node in the device tree (HTML)
HW90: Describes the "packages" node in the Open Firmware device tree.
Hardware & Drivers 2006-02-22
Sequence Grabber - Determining the capture resolution of an IIDC device (HTML)
QA1403: Discusses how to determine the resolution of a captured image from an IIDC device
Hardware & Drivers 2005-01-06
Video capture with multiple IIDC cameras (HTML)
QA1365: Discusses factors which influence the number of IIDC cameras that can simultaniously be used for capture.
Hardware & Drivers 2008-08-08
Video Digitizers - Adding Clean Aperture and Pixel Aspect Ratio Information (HTML)
QA1512: Discusses the importance of adding 'pasp' and 'clap' image description extensions to the ImageDescription returned by a VDIG.
Hardware & Drivers 2008-11-20
When to use PCMCIA, PC Card, and CardBus (HTML)
HW77: Explains the differences between PCMCIA, PC Card, and CardBus.
Hardware & Drivers 1999-11-15
ConvertMovieToFile unexpected results (HTML) (日本語 HTML)
QTMTB51: Explains why white frames can occur in a movie that was saved using ConvertMovieToFile.
Import & Export 1999-06-14
Creating a Movie from Movie Data in Memory (HTML)
QA1341: Describes how to create a movie from movie data in memory.
Import & Export 2006-03-21
Decompressing IMA WAVE files (HTML)
QTMCC11: Describes how to use the Sound Manager to decompress and play Window's Microsoft ADPCM-compressed WAVE files.
Import & Export 1998-10-19
Decompressing MP3 (HTML)
QTMCC15: Discusses decompressing an MP3 file into a buffer using SoundConverter APIs.
Import & Export 2000-09-22
Exporting TIFF files in little-endian format (HTML)
QA1044: Explains how to export a TIFF file in little-endian format.
Import & Export 2001-06-26
Graphics Exporters - Creating 16-bit-per-channel image files (HTML)
QA1354: Discusses how to use QuickTime Graphics Exporters to create 16-bit-per-channel image files.
Import & Export 2004-06-03
Graphics Importer -8970 errors & TIFF Support (HTML)
QTMCC18: Discusses the -8970 error when using graphics importers with certain TIFF files.
Import & Export 2000-11-29
Graphics Importers and image files containing multiple layers (HTML) (日本語 HTML)
QA1148: Describes how to get the natural bounds of layers contained in a multi-layered image file.
Import & Export 2002-06-18
GraphicsImportSetBoundsRect resets your Matrix (HTML) (日本語 HTML)
QA1144: Discusses how calling GraphicsImportSetBoundsRect will reset a graphics importers matrix.
Import & Export 2002-05-29
How can I work with MPEG-2 media using QuickTime? (HTML)
QA1540: How to work with MPEG-2 media using QuickTime.
Import & Export 2007-08-29
Importing image data from memory (HTML)
QTMTB56: Explains using the graphics importer API's to read image data which resides in memory.
Import & Export 2000-04-03
Importing Sys 7 Snds (HTML)
QTMCC16: Describes how to import System 7 sound files using QuickTime.
Import & Export 2000-09-22
Movie Export Component - How to ensure Final Cut Pro recognizes your exporter (HTML)
QA1415: Explains how to make sure Final Cut Pro will recognizes a custom QuickTime movie export component.
Import & Export 2005-03-08
Movie Export From Procedures - Providing k2vuyPixelFormat data to MovieExportGetDataProc (HTML)
QA1465: Discusses adding the missing 'rowb' ImageDescription extension when using MakeImageDescriptionFromPixMap with a k2vuyPixelFormat GWorld for a procedures export.
Import & Export 2006-03-03
Movie export with AAC or AMR audio formats (HTML)
QA1347: This QA discusses use of the QuickTime AMR and AAC audio compressors on Macintosh and Windows
Import & Export 2009-03-16
Movie Import Components - MovieImportDataRef Invoked For File Import Operations (HTML)
QA1596: Discusses how QuickTime 7.4+ invokes Movie Import Components when specifically importing from files.
Import & Export 2008-03-11
paramErr returned from ConvertMovieToFile when exporting to .wav (HTML)
QA1313: Avoid a paramErr returned from ConvertMovieToFile by setting up a Sound Description when exporting to a .wav file.
Import & Export 2003-10-06
Playing memory-resident WAVE data using QuickTime 4 (HTML) (日本語 HTML)
QTMTB52: Explains how to play memory-resident WAVE data in QuickTime 4 or later.
Import & Export 1999-07-21
Preserving embedded ICC profiles when using QuickTime Graphics Importer/Exporters (HTML) (日本語 HTML)
QA1145: Shows how to preserve the embedded ICC profile when using the QuickTime Graphics Importer/Exporter routines
Import & Export 2002-09-04
Programmatic configuration of a Movie Export Component (HTML) (日本語 HTML)
QA1147: Demonstrates how to programmatically configure a movie export component without showing the Movie Export dialog.
Import & Export 2002-06-18
QuickTime 7.1.5 Security Enhancements (HTML)
QA1520: Discusses the security enhancements and other changes contained in the QuickTime 7.1.5 Update.
Import & Export 2007-04-02
QuickTime Media Optimization Properties (HTML)
QA1579: Discusses the kQTMovieImporterPropertyID_AllowMediaOptimization and kQTMovieInstantiationPropertyID_AllowMediaOptimization properties.
Import & Export 2009-03-30
Retrieving Audio from QuickTime Files (HTML)
QTMTB30: Describes how to retrieve audio from QuickTime files in 1 second chunks.
Import & Export 1995-05-01
Setting Export Quality (HTML)
QTMCC13: Demonstrates how to change the compression factor when exporting a JPEG file.
Import & Export 1999-12-06
Using ConvertMovieToFile or ConvertMovieToDataRef to convert movies without displaying the settings dialog (HTML)
QA1418: Describes how to perform movie export using ConvertMovieToFile or ConvertMovieToDataRef without displaying the dialog
Import & Export 2005-03-22
Using MovieExportSetSampleDescription to specify the format of exported data (HTML)
QTMTB59: Describes using the ConvertMovieToFile routine to export a WAV audio-only movie to an AIFF file using a specific compressor.
Import & Export 2000-09-05
Using the QuickTime DVCompressor properties (HTML)
QA1438: Describes the function of the DVCompressor class component properties.
Import & Export 2005-10-04
Viewing multi-page PDF files (HTML) (日本語 HTML)
QA1247: How to draw each page of a multi-page PDF document using the QuickTime movie importers.
Import & Export 2003-03-05
Why isn't my QuickTime Component recognized by iMovie '08? (HTML)
QA1545: Discusses why iMovie '08 may ignore 3rd party QuickTime Components.
Import & Export 2007-10-03
Getting a Packet Trace (HTML) (日本語 HTML)
QA1176: Lists tools available for looking at the network packets on the wire.
Internet & Web 2008-06-03
How to play a sequence of movies in a Web page (HTML)
QA1593: How to have the QuickTime plug-in play a sequence of movies, one after the other, in a Web page
Internet & Web 2008-08-08
Opening a Web page using an HREF track in QuickTime Player (HTML)
QA1621: Opening a Web page using an HREF track in QuickTime Player
Internet & Web 2008-11-05
QuickTime 7.1.5 Security Enhancements (HTML)
QA1520: Discusses the security enhancements and other changes contained in the QuickTime 7.1.5 Update.
Internet & Web 2007-04-02
Using the QuickTime for Java libraries on OS X (HTML) (日本語 HTML)
QA1058: Where to locate the QTJava.zip file for inclusion in your java/javac classpath.
Java 2002-04-08
Adding Unicode characters to Text Media in a Text Track (HTML)
QA1400: Describes how to add Unicode characters to text media in a text track
Media Types & Media Handlers 2005-09-01
Correction to SetMediaDataRef, short, not pointer (HTML)
QTMTB44: Makes a correction to the description of SetMediaDataRef in the QT2.0 CD.
Media Types & Media Handlers 1995-08-01
Determining QuickDrawVideo Media Pixel Depth (HTML)
QTMTB17: Demonstrates how to retrieve the pixel depth of a QuickTime video media or movie.
Media Types & Media Handlers 1995-05-01
How can I work with MPEG-2 media using QuickTime? (HTML)
QA1540: How to work with MPEG-2 media using QuickTime.
Media Types & Media Handlers 2007-08-29
Accessing Decompressed Images (HTML)
QTMTB27: Demonstrates the use of a transfer procedure to access a decompressed image and manipulate it prior to display.
Movie Basics 1995-05-01
Adding a movie reference to a movie (HTML)
QA1376: Demonstrates how to add a reference for a movie to another movie
Movie Basics 2004-09-16
Adding metadata to a QuickTime movie using the QuickTime MetaData APIs (HTML)
QA1515: Adding metadata to a QuickTime movie using the QuickTime MetaData APIs
Movie Basics 2008-08-08
Adding metadata to an iTunes file using the QuickTime Metadata APIs (HTML)
QA1508: How to add metadata to a movie using the QuickTime Metadata APIs
Movie Basics 2007-02-14
Adding QuickTime Movie Data to Non-QuickTime Files (HTML)
QTMTB31: Describes how to embed QuickTime movies into files, and play back on Windows or Mac.
Movie Basics 1995-05-01
Avoiding Pauses When Looping Audio files with QuickTime (HTML)
QA1371: Demonstrates how to avoid pauses when looping audio files with QuickTime
Movie Basics 2004-09-08
Batch Exporting movie sound tracks with ConvertMovieToFile() (HTML)
QTMTB62: Explains how to configure ConvertMovieToFile to use the same configuration information for more than one call.
Movie Basics 2000-09-05
BeginMediaEdits -2050 badDataRefIndex error after calling NewMovie (HTML)
QTMTB58: Describes reasons why BeginMediaEdits would return the -2050 badDataRefIndex error code during a media-editing session.
Movie Basics 2000-09-05
Calculating the static video frame rate of a QuickTime movie. (HTML) (日本語 HTML)
QA1262: Calculating the static video frame rate of a QuickTime movie.
Movie Basics 2008-08-06
Choosing the Position Where a Movie is Pasted (HTML)
QTMTB26: Explains how the position of a pasted movie is determined and shows how to force a given location.
Movie Basics 1995-05-01
Compressed and Uncompressed Samples in the Same Track (HTML)
QTMTB43: Recommends not to mix compressed and uncompressed data samples into the same sound track.
Movie Basics 1995-08-01
ConvertMovieToFile unexpected results (HTML) (日本語 HTML)
QTMTB51: Explains why white frames can occur in a movie that was saved using ConvertMovieToFile.
Movie Basics 1999-06-14
Correct Time Values (HTML)
QTMTB32: Demonstrates finding correct time values for GetMoviePict to get all the frames of a QuickTime movie.
Movie Basics 1995-05-01
Correction to SetMediaDataRef, short, not pointer (HTML)
QTMTB44: Makes a correction to the description of SetMediaDataRef in the QT2.0 CD.
Movie Basics 1995-08-01
Creating a Movie from Movie Data in Memory (HTML)
QA1341: Describes how to create a movie from movie data in memory.
Movie Basics 2006-03-21
Creating track references when editing movies (HTML)
QTMTB61: Explains how to use the InsertTrackSegment function to copy a track reference rather than the actual media.
Movie Basics 2000-09-05
Determining QuickDrawVideo Media Pixel Depth (HTML)
QTMTB17: Demonstrates how to retrieve the pixel depth of a QuickTime video media or movie.
Movie Basics 1995-05-01
Determining required components for QuickTime movies (HTML)
QA1093: Shows how to determine if a given QuickTime movie requires a component that's not currently installed on the system.
Movie Basics 2001-11-07
Disabling QuickTime Error Dialogs When Opening or Tasking a Movie (HTML) (日本語 HTML)
QA1164: How to disable QuickTime error dialogs which may be presented when opening or tasking a movie.
Movie Basics 2003-03-20
DV Codec settings and performance (HTML) (日本語 HTML)
QA1149: Discusses the difference between compression quality, decompression quality, and performance with the DV codec.
Movie Basics 2004-01-20
Extracting DV Fields using QTNewGWorldFromPtr (HTML)
QA1017: Describes using QTNewGWorldFromPtr to access individual fields contained within a frame of DV source.
Movie Basics 2001-03-20
Filtering QuickTime media types in Navigation Services (HTML) (日本語 HTML)
QA1274: Describes how to filter QuickTime media types in a Navigation Services filter procedure.
Movie Basics 2003-07-23
Filtering the Effects List returned by QTGetEffectsList (HTML) (日本語 HTML)
QA1190: Shows how to edit the list of effects returned by the QTGetEffectsList function.
Movie Basics 2002-09-04
Functions that Modify Movie Properties, QuickTime Track, and Movie Sound Volume (HTML)
QTMTB39: Explains movie volume values, and how to exceed the maximum level using Sound Manager 3.0.
Movie Basics 1995-05-01
GetDIBFromPict fails with QuickTime "Minimum" installation (HTML)
QA1294: Demonstrates how to check for any available QuickTime components required by individual QuickTime functions.
Movie Basics 2004-09-28
Handling of Update Events While a Movie Plays (HTML)
Deprecated - QTMTB45: Describes timing issues that can be caused by applications calling WaitNextEvent while playing a QuickTime movie.
Movie Basics 1995-09-15
How can I verify that a Movie can actually draw into a non-RGB GWorld? (HTML) (日本語 HTML)
QA1243: Techniques to verify that a Movie can actually draw into a non-RGB GWorld.
Movie Basics 2003-03-05
How can I work with MPEG-2 media using QuickTime? (HTML)
QA1540: How to work with MPEG-2 media using QuickTime.
Movie Basics 2007-08-29
How do I count the frames in an MPEG movie? (HTML) (日本語 HTML)
QTMTB54: Talks about using the QuickTime Movie Toolbox function GetMovieNextInterestingTime with MPEG media tracks.
Movie Basics 2003-05-02
How do I decompress individual frames into an offscreen? (HTML)
QTMTB57: Describes methods for decompressing individual frames of a video track into an offscreen memory buffer.
Movie Basics 2000-04-24
How to Compute Data Rate for QuickTime Movies (HTML)
QTMTB46: Describes two methods of measuring the rate of samples for Quicktime movies.
Movie Basics 1995-09-15