If neither vlc or quicktime can play an avi then it sounds as though it could be corrupt. VLC will play almost all formats out there. I suppose you could try divx's player but if vlc can't play it ... I doubt it'll make any diff. You said you wanted to burn it to dvd. Does that mean you have Toast? Toast version 6? If so, add the movie to Toast & click onto the edit section to the right of the movie in Toast window. Now press play. If Toast can't play it, what error does it say. If Toast can't play it then you won't be able to burn it.