QuickTime is a system software extension that enables you to integrate graphics, sound, video, text, music and animation into documents. By providing a standard way for all Mac OS-based applications to control these multimedia elements, QuickTime makes it easier to create multimedia documents.
QuickTime 2.1 includes support for the following features:
• longer and smoother video
• time-code capabilities
• 16-bit audio compression
• MPEG
• synthesized music
Of course, the specific QuickTime features available in a particular application vary by application.
What are QuickTime Extras?
QuickTime Extras is a folder that includes:
• the QuickTime Musical Instruments file
• the Movie Player folder
About QuickTime Musical Instruments
This file contains sample sounds that you can add to your QuickTime movies.
About the Movie Player folder
This folder contains the following items:
- the Movie Player utility
- plug-in files to help you create your own movies
- folders full of QuickTime demos of movies, photos, and music
Movie Player is the standard utility for playing movies on the Macintosh—when you launch a QuickTime movie, Movie Player is the utility that starts up. Movie Player’s application memory size is preset to 1,000K. While this size works well for most short movies, you might find that playback of higher data-rate movies is not smooth with this pre-configured setting. If this happens, increase the memory size in the Movie Player’s Get Info dialog box.
The plug-in files are in a folder called “Authoring Extras and Goodies.” They enable you to use the following added features in creating your own movies:
- editing a movie’s text track
- adding or editing copyright information
- adding or switching to a different color table
- specifying track preloading
To use these features, keep the plug-in files in the same folder as Movie Player.
The various QuickTime demos are in separate folders inside the Movie Player folder.
How to install QuickTime Musical Instruments
To install the QuickTime Musical Instruments:
1. With the System Folder closed, drag the QuickTime Musical Instruments icon to the System Folder.
2. Click OK in the dialog box that appears.
3. Restart your computer.
QuickTime 2.0 Developer Kit
The QuickTime 2.0 Developer Kit includes tools for creating and editing movies, compressing audio, and adding time code to movies. It also includes sample movies such as music movies, MPEG movies, time-code movies, and technical documentation. The kit is available from the Apple Programmers and Developers Association (APDA):
Apple, the Apple logo, and Macintosh are trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. QuickTime is a trademark of Apple Computer, Inc.