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Apple starts dropping and later restricting supported codecs
  • Legacy media files are compatible with macOS Mojave, but they won't be with future macOS releases. Legacy media can include footage recorded with cameras like Sony HDCAM-SR cameras, footage from GoPro cameras recorded in the CineForm format, video files in the Avid DNxHD/DNxHR format created with software, footage shot with many other older cameras, or files modified with older software.

    While your Mac is running macOS High Sierra or macOS Mojave, follow the steps in this article to back up your Final Cut Pro libraries, and complete and update projects that contain legacy media.

    https://support.apple.com/en-ca/HT209000

    As OS being ported to proprietary and closed ARM64 LSIs Apple need to drop support for most codecs as well as minimize support for existing and new codecs for their software.

    Big move is expected to happen in next 2-3 years with most professionals abandoning Mac OS X ecosystem and Apple focusing on premium segment of the market with 3-4 waves of 20-35% price increases that will follow each 6 months.

  • 3 Replies sorted by
  • Apple list of codecs and containers affected in future OS releases. Quite a big list! https://support.apple.com/en-md/HT209000

    Legacy media formats affected by the transition to 64-bit technology In macOS versions up to and including macOS Mojave, third-party software has extended the QuickTime 7 framework to support many legacy media formats. In versions of macOS after macOS Mojave, the QuickTime 7 framework will no longer be available, so legacy formats will not be supported in Final Cut Pro and Motion. Third-party developers may continue to offer compatibility with some formats by building support directly into their apps. Contact developers of third-party apps for more information about media formats supported in their apps.

    Here are examples of media formats affected by this transition:

    • 3ivx MPEG-4
    • AV1 / VP9
    • AVC0 Media AVA0 Media
    • Avid DNxHD / DNxHR
    • Avid DV / DV100 / JFIF / Motion JPEG
    • Avid Meridien / 1:1x / Packed / RGBPacked
    • BitJazz SheerVideo
    • CineForm
    • Cinepak
    • DivX
    • Flash Video
    • FlashPix
    • FLC
    • GlueTools codecs for Cineon/DPX, Phantom Cine, ARRIRAW, Uncompressed RGB
    • H.261
    • Implode
    • Indeo video 5.1
    • Intel Video 4:3
    • JPEG 2000
    • Microsoft Video 1
    • Motion JPEG A
    • Motion JPEG B
    • On2 VP3, VP5, VP6, VP6-E, VP6-S, VP7, VP8, VP9
    • Perian collection of codecs (such as Microsoft MPEG-4, DivX, 3ivx, VP6, and VP3)
    • Pixlet
    • Planar RGB
    • RealVideo
    • REDCODE QuickTime Decoder (.mov)
    • SGI
    • Sony HDCAM-SR (SStP)
    • Sorenson 3
    • Sorenson Spark
    • Sorenson Video / Video 3 / YUV9
    • Streambox ACT-L2
    • Windows Media Video 7, 8, 9
    • Xiph.org’s Theora Video
    • ZyGoVideo
  • AV1 / VP9

    This is very strange to see.

  • It's more strange than that. Expecting businesses to convert years of footage to new codecs is not very smart. A lot of archived media on LTO tapes etc will not be usable. Microsoft must be laughing as they pick up unhappy Mac users, me included!

    From Avid: As such, for customers using Apple Computers and MacOS, this announcement does not affect Pro Tools and Media Composer, any other products that have chosen to implement DNxHD and DNxHR natively in the aforementioned manner, or, DNxHD/HR supported through MXF wrappers. DNxHD, DNxHR, Pro Tools and Media Composer will continue to be supported and will be compatible with the current and future release of Mac OS. We will continue to improve or introduce new features for DNxHD and DNxHR, proven by the recent release of DNxUncompressed option, and will support these new features on various operating systems, including MacOS.