Video Playback

SmartSignage’s video playback functionality (including audio) is dependent on the execution environment. This means that the videos that can be played differ depending on the PC or Mac running SmartSignage.

About Video Recognition and Playback

SmartSigange recognizes and plays video files as follows.

  1. SmartSignage recognizes videos by extension
  2. Each execution environment recognizes videos
  3. Each execution environment decodes videos
  4. SmartSignage plays videos

File Extension

SmartSignage changes display behavior depending on the file extension. The extensions recognized as videos are as follows.

  • AVI
  • MPG
  • MPEG
  • WMV
  • MP4
  • MPEG4
  • M4P
  • MOV
  • WEBM
  • MKV

Even if the file has the above extension, it may not be possible to play it depending on the actual encoding format.

Video Recognition and Decoding by Each Execution Environment

Depending on the execution environment, the video may or may not be playable.

Windows

The Windows video playback feature Microsoft Media Foundation is used.
Please refer to the next page for playable formats.
Supported Media Formats in Media Foundation

macOS

The macOS video playback function AVFaoundation is used.
Please refer to the next page for playable formats.
Formats compatible with macOS Catalina or later

Points to Note About MP4

Both Windows and macOS support MP4 containers. However, please note that only files encoded with H.264/MPEG-4 AVC can be played on both operating systems.
Files encoded with H.265/HEVC are commonly used in MP4 containers. This format can only be played on macOS by default. Cannot be played on Windows. To play H.265/HEVC format on Windows, you need to install a video extension.
Depending on the Windows you are using, HEVC extensions may already be installed.

Play H.265/HEVC format videos on Windows

The H.265/HEVC encoding format is the default when shooting videos with a smartphone such as an iPhone. In order to play this format file on Windows, the HEVC extension must be installed.
It can be installed from the Microsoft Store. You can install it from either of the links below.