Security Update 2006-008 Special Report: Embedded QuickTime media problems (movies in Web pages won't play)
Security Update 2006-008 Special Report: Embedded QuickTime media problems (movies in Web pages won't play)
Some users have reported assorted QuickTime issues after applying Security Update 2006-008 -- not to be unexpected since the update makes minor modifications to QuickTime components.
One of the more common problems has to do with playing back embedded QuickTime media (on Web pages and other locations) after applying Security Update 2006-008 -- typified by the image at right.
MacFixIt reader Robert Zakar writes: "I am having a similar problem where web pages will not show QT content. This problem only occurs on my Mac Pro, as my MacBook Pro seems to show content normally. Both machines are set up identically, with the latest OS and Security updates."
Shawn Orbanic writes: "Ever since the update I'm getting some weird behavior from videos on websites. When I click a video link (like on CNN.com) or go to a page with a video that automatically loads and runs, and hit the back button or go to another page, the video keeps loading and the sound runs in the background. Changing pages, closing windows or even going back to the offending page and leaving again will not stop it. Only quitting Safari will get it to stop. I have never seen this behavior before and it started within hours of the update."
Joe Gracy adds: "I am noticing that many web pages that displayed just fine on my old G5 are now, on my week-old iMac Core Duo, showing a quicktime logo dimmed out, with a question mark inside the box, which would have formerly been an ad with a movie or something."
If you are having problems viewing QuickTime media embedded in Web pages, quit Safari (or your current browser) and look in the /Library/Internet Plug-Ins directory (this is the Library folder at the root level of your hard drive, not the one inside your home user directory). Try removing the following files from that directory:
- VLC Plugin.plugin
- QuickTime plugin.plugin
Restart your browser and check for persistence of the issue. If the problem is not resolved, a different plug-in may be causing the issue. Keep removing files from this directory (start with any third-party plug-ins present) until the issue disappears.
Meanwhile, some users are reporting loss of audio in QuickTime files after the update.
MacFixIt reader D.D. Harrington writes: "I have experienced missing audio on quicktime files. I can only think this has occurred because of this update! The files show that audio is present but nothing will play that file."
It appears that this issue lies with one or more specific codecs that do not work properly with QuickTime 7.1.x.
In order to fix the issue (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.x [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.
One of the specific codecs implicated by readers is named "XviD_Codec v0.5.1.component."
In other cases, the problem may be soluble through toggling of certain Flash options in the QuickTime pane of System Preferences.
First, open the QuickTime pane, then click on the "Advanced" tab. Check the box next to "Enable Flash" in order to turn the option on.
Next, click on the "MIME Settings" button and scroll down to "Miscellaneous -- Miscellaneous file formats" and click the box to turn the option on. Next click on the disclosure triangle to show the options for miscellaneous file formats. Make sure that the "Flash media" and "QuickTime HTML (QHTM)" are turned off.
Index:
- Embedded QuickTime media problems (movies in Web pages won't play)
- AirPort connectivity issues
- General fixes for common issues
- Getting the update off your Mac
- Problems launching Photoshop
- Problems accessing iDisk, publishing through iWeb
- Release notes
- Some QuickTime for Java applications
- Unexpected quits
- Universal Access options inadvertently turned on (black box around cursor, etc.)
Resources