launching a downloaded mpg
 

when i try to play a downloaded video through my quicktime player i get a message saying that "a software component needed by the movie cannot be found." what does this mean and what do i have to do to make it work?

Upgrade
 

First try to upgrade quicktime, see if hat does it. Also go to www.3ivx.com . Download and install their codec for quicktime. I can open many windows formats that were not possible before.

. . . and search Google, Quicktime, etc
 

There's no easy answer, so you'll be lucky to get much help. The link above is one of the best, but if it doesn't work . . .

good luck getting the movies to play. Until a clear winner emerges, the video codec war means headaches. Players have to have the required compressor/decompressor ("codec") used to make the movie.

Here's a Quicktime link that will allow you to play some movies:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=30506
This also points out that some movies will play in OS9, but not OSX, and vice versa. Joy, eh?

search the forums for "software component could not be found"--lots of complaining can be found, as well as a few solutions for some movies.

As others have pointed out, search the net for "vlc" --this awkward little app plays most movies--even the mangled and partial ones that end up in your Limewire incomplete folder.

Do us all a favour: if you find a comprehensive solution, post it here.