MXF files offer high-quality video suitable for editing, but many Mac media players struggle to play them. You can use players like Elmedia Player, MXF4mac Player, VLC, 5KPlayer, or Cisdem Video Player to open MXF files, or convert them to MP4 using FreeFileConvert or Convertio. MXF is preferred for professional use due to its quality, while MP4 is more common for sharing. For frequent MXF handling, it’s recommended to download an MXF player. Stay tuned for our next forum post detailing a step-by-step tutorial.
Hey folks! Having trouble playing MXF (Material Exchange Format) files on your Mac? No worries, I’ve got you covered. Let’s dive into what MXF files are and explore some cool ways to get them running smoothly on your Mac.
So, What Exactly is an MXF File? 
An MXF file is basically a high-quality video format used for professional video production. It packs in audio, video, and metadata, making it perfect for editing and high-def broadcasts. You can stream these bad boys while they’re being transmitted, and they’re super easy to upload to platforms like YouTube or Vimeo.
Option 1: Using Third-Party Mac Video Players to Play MXF Files
User Query:
Does anyone know what I should do with my MXF files? They’re not running smoothly on my MacBook Pro with the M1 Chip. Do I need to convert them before using? — Blackmagic Forum
1. Elmedia Player 
Elmedia is a slick and customizable video player for Mac. It handles MXF files and other formats like MKV, MP4, M4V, and MOV like a pro. Plus, you can stream wirelessly with AirPlay 2, DLNA, and Chromecast.
You can tweak video settings, capture screenshots, use picture-in-picture mode, play with the sound equalizer, and even download subtitles right from the app!
Supported OS: macOS
Pros:
- Super customizable
- Supports a wide range of formats
- Smooth playback
- Wireless streaming
Cons:
- Some features are premium
How to Use Elmedia Player:
- Download from the website or App Store.
- Right-click on your MXF file in Finder.
- Select “Open With” and choose ‘Elmedia Player.’
Watch this tutorial: YouTube
2. MXF4mac Player 
MXF4mac Player is dedicated to playing MXF files and enhancing other Mac video players. It’s also good with standard video formats like MP4, MOV, and AVI but shines with uncompressed video formats.
It’s pretty basic but gets the job done for viewing MXF files.
Supported OS: macOS
Pros:
- Integrates with QuickTime and other Mac players
- Handles uncompressed video well
Cons:
- Basic interface
- Lacks many features
- No streaming or subtitle options
How to Use MXF4mac Player:
- Download from the website.
- Drag your MXF files onto the MXF4mac Player icon.
- Open the app and browse your local files.
3. VLC Media Player 
VLC Media Player is the go-to cross-platform video player. It’s reliable and supports tons of formats, making it ideal for MXF files.
While it’s free and feature-rich, it can sometimes crash with HD or Blu-Ray videos. Advanced settings are a bit hidden in a complicated menu.
Supported OS: Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux
Pros:
- Open-source and free
- Great community support
- Extendable with plugins
- No ads
Cons:
- Outdated design
- Limited customization
- Complex settings
How to Use VLC:
- Download VLC for Mac from the website.
- Right-click your MXF file and select “Open with VLC”.
4. 5KPlayer 
5KPlayer offers buttery smooth playback for HD, 4K, 5K, and HEVC videos, plus you can stream videos using AirPlay and DLNA. It also lets you download online videos.
Downsides? It can spam your Mac with ads and makes itself the default player, which is annoying.
Supported OS: Windows, Mac
Pros:
- Smooth playback for high-res videos
- Supports DVD/CD playback
- Online video downloads
- Video editing within the player
- Wireless streaming
Cons:
- Hard to uninstall
- Spammy ads
- Takes over as the default player
How to Use 5KPlayer:
- Download from the website.
- Launch 5KPlayer.
- Drag your MXF file to play it.
5. Cisdem Video Player 
Cisdem Video Player is lightweight yet supports all popular video formats. The paid version lets you convert video formats too.
It handles HD and 4K videos smoothly, but 8K videos might lag.
Supported OS: Windows, macOS
Pros
:
- Super easy playlist management
- Plays 4K videos like a charm
- Barely uses any system resources
Cons
:
- Missing some standard video player features
Playing MXF Files with Cisdem
Step 1: Head over to the Cisdem website and download the player.
Step 2: Fire up the Cisdem player and just drag and drop your MXF file to start watching!
Method 2: Convert MXF to Other Formats for QuickTime
Another way to go about it is converting your MXF files to a more Mac-friendly format like MP4. You don’t need any special player for MP4 as pretty much any basic media player can handle it. Lots of MXF converters are available both online and offline. With online converters, you don’t even need to install anything. Check out this easy guide on how to convert MXF to MP4 on Mac.
1. FreeFileConvert
FreeFileConvert supports a whopping 8749 conversion combos! You can switch MXF to any video format you need. Max file size is 300 MB, and although there’s no paid version, you can create an account to save your conversion history.
The source of the MXF file could be:
- Your local storage (your device)
- A URL linking to the file
- Cloud services like Google Drive and Dropbox
Just pick your output format from the dropdown and hit the convert button. You can download the converted file locally or email it to someone.
2. Convertio
Convertio is another fast, browser-based converter that supports over 300 formats. It’s not just for videos—you can tweak video settings like codec, frame rate, and quality.
The free version maxes out at 100 MB uploads, but a paid account lets you convert files up to 500 MB and do concurrent conversions. You can upload files from your computer, Dropbox, or Google Drive. Once the file’s in place, choose the output format and start converting.
MXF vs MP4
Alright, let’s break down the differences between MXF and MP4. MXF is usually for the pros—editing, broadcasting, etc.—while MP4 is more for everyday use, like watching and sharing vids on your phone. MXF files are bigger due to more detailed compression and extra metadata. MP4 files are smaller but still decent quality, making them easier to share online.
Feature | MXF | MP4 |
---|---|---|
Compression | Intraframe compression | Interframe compression |
Full Form | Material Exchange Format | MPEG-4 Part 14 |
File Extension | .mxf | .mp4 |
Developed By | Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE) | Motion Picture Experts Group (MPEG) |
File Size | Large | Small |
Usage | Editing and professional broadcasting | Sharing and watching videos |
Support | Not all players support it | Pretty much every player, browser, and device supports MP4 |
Conclusion
Deciding whether to get a new video player for Mac or convert your MXF files online really depends on how often you deal with MXF files.
- If it’s a one-time thing and you just want to watch a movie, converting MXF to MP4 online is the way to go.
- If you’re frequently working with MXF files, just get yourself a dedicated MXF player for Mac.
Wondering which player is best for MXF files on Mac? Here you go:
- Elmedia Player: All-around awesome with plenty of playback features.
- MXF4Mac: Quick and straightforward if MXF playback is all you need.
- VLC Player: Open-source fan? VLC is for you, even with its occasional crashes and dated look.
- 5KPlayer: Good-looking and functional, but be ready for some ads.
- Cisdem Player: Simple and gets the job done for playing MXF videos.