Play DAV files on a Mac

Mac won't open your .dav recording? Convert it to MP4 here in Safari or Chrome, then play it in QuickTime like any other video.

Free plan: 3 files at a time · files up to 250 MBGet Pro: unlimited, 2 GB, ZIPGet Pro

    Your files are processed on your device and never uploaded.

    How to play DAV files on a Mac

    1. Click the box above and pick the .dav file from Finder or your USB stick.
    2. Click "Convert to MP4". Your Mac does the work; nothing is uploaded.
    3. Download the MP4 and double-click it to open it in QuickTime Player.

    Why a Mac can't open .dav files

    DAV is a recorder format, not a standard video format, so QuickTime and the Photos app do not recognize it. The recorder makers' own players are mainly made for Windows, and VLC opens only some .dav files.

    The usual advice is to borrow a Windows PC or run Windows in Parallels. Converting to MP4 is quicker: after that, the recording plays on your Mac, iPhone and iPad, and you can trim or share it.

    Be careful with "free DAV player" downloads

    Searching for a Mac DAV player turns up many download sites, some asking for money for software that is free elsewhere. Vidverter needs no download: it runs in the browser you already have.

    Frequently asked questions

    Is my recording uploaded anywhere?

    No. The file is read and converted by your own browser and never leaves your computer: there is no upload step, so you can convert private or sensitive footage without sending it to anyone.

    Which recordings work?

    .dav files with H.264 video, the format used by Dahua recorders and by brands that build on Dahua hardware, and raw .264 or .h264 files. Some recorder models use variants we don't support yet. H.265 recordings are coming soon; for now Vidverter tells you when a file uses H.265.

    What if my file is password-protected?

    Recorders can protect an export with a password. Vidverter does not open protected files and never tries to unlock them. Open them in the official player from the recorder's maker.

    Does the MP4 lose quality?

    No. The video frames are copied into the MP4 exactly as the camera recorded them, without re-encoding. That is also why even long recordings convert in seconds.

    Is there a size limit?

    Free converts files up to 250 MB, 3 at a time. Recorder exports are often larger: Pro handles files up to 2 GB and, in Chrome and Edge, saves big results straight to a folder you choose.

    Is the sound included?

    Yes, for the usual recorder sound format (G.711, the telephone-quality audio most recorders use): Vidverter converts it so the MP4 plays with sound. If a recording uses another audio format, or your browser cannot create the audio track, you get the video alone and Vidverter says so next to the result.

    Dahua is a trademark of its owner. Vidverter is an independent tool and is not affiliated with, endorsed or sponsored by Dahua.