thanks again for all the useful info!

now, i am reading up a little on all these formats, so as to make better use of the technology. in the meanwhile, i note that my system interprets the said file as 'AVI', when getting info on the file, which is also highlighted in the info box inside the QT icon, and wonder if, even though i would need an 'MPEG codec' plug in purchase to play it on QT, the MPEG2 file, which ends in'_.avi' is nevertheless considered a native Quicktime format?? actually, as i've read on, it appears that mpeg2 and avi are different, rather than synonymous. still, , i'll go ahead and try the software you have linked me to. being video apps for converting files, it appears, i'm sure they will help.