QuickTime 7.1 (#4): Can cause startup problems -- try removing Flip4Mac; Continuing issues with no sound output; EyeTV; more

Can cause startup problems -- try removing Flip4Mac While most of the startup issues we've covered in the past few days have been attributed to Security Update 2006-003, released on the same day as QuickTime 7.1, it appears the latter may also be the culprit in some cases.

MacFixIt reader Lance Saleme writes:

"We experienced similar startup woes after updating. The restart would proceed to the initial blue screen stage and then hang there forever. However, we found an unreported (less obvious) cause for others to consider:

"A fundamental note to remember in this revelation is that the MacBook Pro in question used the migration upgrade install approach from its PowerBook predecessor. This appeared to go quite smoothly and worked for a few days before the security update hit. After installing the security update we encountered the restart hang and had to resort to safe-booting. During considerable hunting around we discovered the old PowerBook install of Flip4Mac was brought across during the migration upgrade. The Intel-Mac QuickTime 7.1 doesn't appear to play nicely with Flip4Mac so we removed all vestiges of the Flip4Mac tool and components. This got us back to normal booting."

In order to uninstall Flip4Mac, remove the following files (if they exist):

• Macintosh HD/Library/Internet Plug-Ins/Flip4Mac WMV Plugin.plugin
• Macintosh HD/Library/Internet Plug-ins/Flip4Mac WMV Plugin.webplugin
• Macintosh HD/Library/QuickTime/Flip4Mac WMV Import.component
• Macintosh HD/Library/QuickTime/Flip4Mac WMV Export.component
• Macintosh HD/Library/PreferencePanes/WmvPlayer.prefPanel
• Macintosh HD/Library/Receipts/Flip4Mac WMV Import Installer.pkg
• Macintosh HD/Library/Receipts/Flip4Mac WMV Export Installer.pkg

Continuing issues with no sound output We continue to report on an issue where sound does not play back in various video and audio files after updating to QuickTime 7.1.

As previously reported, for most users, this issue lies with one or more specific codecs that do not work properly with QuickTime 7.1.

In order to fix the problem (though you may lose functionality, so it is important to retain any moved files), navigate to the following two directories:

~/Library/QuickTime (the Library folder in your home user directory) /Library/QuickTime (the Library folder at the root level of your startup drive)

remove all files that contain "codec" in their name (put them in the Desktop or another memorable location, noting their original placement). Next re-install QuickTime 7.1 [standalone download] and restart.

If the issue is gone, try placing the codecs back in there appropriate locations one by one until the problem returns. This will allow you to identify the offending codec.

As noted last week, one of the specific codecs implicated by readers as causing the problem include "XviD_Codec v0.5.1.component."

However, some readers report that they continue to experience a lack of sound even after removing all pertinent codecs from the aforementioned directories.

One reader writes:

"Very depressing, can't hear news clips. Being a political junkie, I am not happy.

"I only found one codec, appleintermediatecodec, which I put on desktop, never found the vlc plug-in (using apple find and poking around), downloaded/installed 7.1 (had 7.04 and same problem). I have an Intel core duo iMac, 1.5 GB RAM. Got in Feb, driving me nuts.

"Real time player works for online stations that allow that, but I look at many embedded QuickTime files.

More problems playing embedded media -- try running browsers in Rosetta We also continue to report on an issue where embedded QuickTime media on some Web sites does not play back properly in a host of Mac OS X browsers after the update to QuickTime 7.1.

MacFixIt reader Marius is the latest to report the issue, writing:

"After the latest security and Quicktime (7.1) updates I have the same problems that Mark Feldman has: Safari's Quicktime plugin rejects to play some media files. This only happened with mpeg-files so far. Mov files seem to work as they used to. I have a G4 PowerBook 867 Mhz running latest 10.4.6 with all updates."

As previously noted, in some cases, the solution to this issue is to remove the following file (a plug-in dependent on the VLC multimedia player):

• /Library/Internet Plug-Ins/VLC Plugin.plugin

One reader confirms that fix: "I got rid of the VLC plug-in and the 'No picture' error went away.'

We've now received reports indicating that running Safari (or another Web browser) in Rosetta can also resolve this issue. As we've noted several times in the past, PowerPC-based plug-ins do not mix with Intel-native code, and this issue appears to be a manifestation of that conundrum in some cases.

To run Safari (or another Universal browser) with Rosetta, quit the application if it is open. In the Finder, navigate to the /Applications directory, control-click Safari and choose "Get Info" from the contextual menu. In the General pane, select "Open Using Rosetta," then close the Get Info window. Re-launch Safari.

EyeTV problems -- El Gato working on a fix Several users have reported an issue where El Gato's EyeTV no longer functions properly after updating to QuickTime 7.1, specifically failing to export video clips.

El Gato, the company behind EyeTV, now says it is working on the issue.

"(QuickTime 7.1) causes specific problems with EyeTV in isolated areas.  Specifically, if you choose to export using 'for Web', 'for Email', 'QuickTime Movie' or 'AAC Audio', there will be a crash.  Other export options are fine.  No other parts of EyeTV seem to be affected. This has occurred due to changes in QuickTime, which EyeTV uses for many exports.

"The changes necessary to fix this are being completed, and will be in the next EyeTV software release, coming very soon. "

Feedback? Late-breakers@macfixit.com.

Previous coverage:

• QuickTime 7.1 (#3): Fix for lack of sound after update; More on problems playing embedded Web media
• QuickTime 7.1 (#2): Problems playing audio; Problems with embedded Web media: Try removing plug-in; iChat issues
• Apple releases QuickTime 7.1

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