HELP!!! Installed xvid codec but videos still won't play!

So, I've been scanning the web for HOURS trying to get some help with this.

I'm trying to stream some videos online but I keep getting messages that say I need to download the xvid codec to play them. So, I did that... I downloaded it, put the xvid component in the library/quicktime folder, restarted the computer and then tried again. No difference.

Then, I saw a lot of people saying you should use Perian instead (and to uninstall the xvid codec if you did this). I tried installing Perian... no difference. Then I read online that Perian isn't really for streaming, just for downloaded files, so uninstalled that and reinstalled the xvid codec again.

Around this time, I read that VLC almost always worked for people. So I downloaded that, along with a plugin for it. Still, no difference when I tried to play the files. Then, I double-checked Safari under "Help" to check the list of internet plugins, but the VLC plugin isn't showing up in that list, even though the plugin file is in my internet plugin folder on my computer.

Can someone PLEASE help me get these darn videos to play?????? Thanks!

Please tell us your OS version, quicktime version, and the website where you are getting this message, so we can figure this out.

a few thoughts on this.

The first is that one of the recent exploits for osx required the downloading of a video codec to play a video file. So be cautious about this kind of activity unless you really trust the website.

The second thought is that perian works extremely well and allows the playback of almost any file from within quicktime. That's great news BUT the perian team just announced that they will no longer be developing their software. It is end-of-lifed.

My last thought is that quicktime is probably the worst video playback software at this time. It is really terrible compared to the alternatives. I would encourage you to use vlc which will play anything and works very well. I use it every day.
VideoLAN - Download official VLC media player for Mac OS X

VLC is a great option, Mplayer is another good option for you.

I'd say ditch the Divx and go get Perian. Perian - The swiss-army knife of QuickTime® components It's hands down the absolute best solution for playing multiple file formats in Quicktime. Sadly the app development has halted but it will still work for you.

Do you have a link for the site you're trying?

Steaming using XVID is pretty uncommon