3 Easy Steps to Make Your Mac Homescreen Play a Video

3 Easy Steps to Make Your Mac Homescreen Play a Video

Uninterested in the identical outdated static wallpaper in your Mac? Why not liven it up with a dynamic video that performs each time you flip in your laptop? With only a few clicks, you possibly can set any video file as your Mac’s homescreen wallpaper and revel in a visually beautiful and immersive expertise. Whether or not you wish to showcase your favourite reminiscences, create a calming ambiance, or just add some persona to your workspace, taking part in a video in your Mac’s homescreen is an easy and efficient option to do it.

Earlier than we dive into the steps, let’s tackle a typical query: are you able to play any video format as your Mac homescreen wallpaper? Surprisingly, not all video codecs are supported. Whereas well-liked codecs like MP4 (H.264) and MOV (H.264) work flawlessly, some codecs like AVI, WMV, and FLV usually are not appropriate with macOS. In case your video isn’t in a supported format, you should utilize a free video converter software to vary it to a appropriate format earlier than continuing.

Now that we have now the fundamentals lined, let’s dive into the step-by-step information on how one can set a video as your Mac homescreen wallpaper. Observe alongside fastidiously, and you will be having fun with a dynamic video wallpaper in your Mac very quickly. Firstly, find the video file you wish to use as your wallpaper. It may be any video file saved in your Mac, whether or not it is a private video, a downloaded film, or perhaps a YouTube video you’ve got saved. Upon getting the video file prepared, proceed to the subsequent step.

Accessing System Preferences

Accessing System Preferences is the primary and most vital step in altering the Mac’s homepage video. It supplies a centralized hub for numerous system settings, together with these associated to the desktop and display screen saver. To entry System Preferences, observe these steps:

1. By way of the Apple Menu: Click on on the Apple emblem within the high left nook of the display screen and choose “System Preferences” from the drop-down menu.

2. Utilizing the Highlight Search: Click on on the magnifying glass icon within the high proper nook of the display screen, sort “System Preferences” within the search discipline, and press Enter.

3. Dock Shortcut: If the System Preferences icon is added to the Dock (the row of icons on the backside of the display screen), merely click on on it to open the appliance.

4. Different Strategies: Alternatively, you possibly can entry System Preferences by urgent the Command (⌘) key and the spacebar concurrently to launch Highlight Search, typing “System Preferences” and urgent Enter. You too can open the Finder (the blue and white smiling face icon on the Dock) and choose “Purposes” from the sidebar, the place you could find the System Preferences utility.

Navigating the Desktop and Display screen Saver Settings

To entry the Desktop and Display screen Saver settings in your Mac, observe these steps:

1. Click on on the Apple menu within the high left nook of your display screen.
2. Choose “System Preferences” from the drop-down menu.
3. Click on on “Desktop & Display screen Saver.”

Display screen Saver Settings

The Display screen Saver settings let you configure how your Mac behaves when it isn’t in use. You may select from a wide range of built-in display screen savers, or you possibly can create your individual customized display screen saver. To configure the Display screen Saver settings:

1. Click on on the “Display screen Saver” tab within the Desktop & Display screen Saver preferences pane.
2. Choose a display screen saver from the listing on the left.
3. Configure the settings for the chosen display screen saver. The obtainable settings will range relying on the display screen saver you select.
4. Click on on the “Begin Display screen Saver” button to begin the display screen saver.

Further Notes on Display screen Saver Settings:

  • You may configure a number of display screen savers and have them rotate at common intervals.
  • You may set a sizzling nook to rapidly begin or cease the display screen saver.
  • You should use your Mac’s Power Saver settings to routinely begin the display screen saver when your Mac is idle.
Display screen Saver Sort Out there Settings
Clean Display screen
Coloration Slideshow – Time interval between slides
– Transition results
– Repeat mode
Desktop – Show solely the desktop background
– Take away menu bar and dock
Flips By way of – Listing of pictures to show
– Transition results
– Repeat mode

Including a Video because the Display screen Saver

To set a video as your Mac’s display screen saver, observe these steps:

    1. Find the video file you wish to use.

    Discover the video file that you simply wish to use as your display screen saver in your Mac. It may be a video that you have downloaded, recorded, or created your self.

    2. Open System Preferences.

    Click on on the Apple menu within the top-left nook of your display screen and choose “System Preferences”.

    3. Click on on “Desktop & Display screen Saver”.

    Within the System Preferences window, click on on the “Desktop & Display screen Saver” icon.

    4. Choose the “Display screen Saver” tab.

    Click on on the “Display screen Saver” tab on the high of the window.

    5. Click on on the “Video” button.

    Click on on the “Video” button within the bottom-left nook of the window.

    6. Choose the video file you wish to use.

    Within the “Select a video file” window, navigate to and choose the video file that you simply wish to use as your display screen saver. Click on on the “Open” button.

    7. Alter the settings.

    You may alter the settings for the video display screen saver, such because the playback velocity, the quantity, and whether or not or not the video ought to loop. Click on on the “Choices” button to open the settings menu.

    8. Click on on the “OK” button.

    Upon getting adjusted the settings, click on on the “OK” button to shut the settings menu.

    9. Click on on the “Begin Display screen Saver” button.

    To begin the video display screen saver, click on on the “Begin Display screen Saver” button within the top-right nook of the window. You too can set the display screen saver to begin routinely after a sure period of time by checking the “Begin after” checkbox and coming into the specified time.

Customizing the Display screen Saver’s Show Choices

As soon as you’ve got chosen a screensaver, you possibly can additional customise its look by adjusting the show choices. To do that, click on on the “Display screen Saver Choices” button within the Screensaver pane of System Preferences. The obtainable choices will range relying on the screensaver you are utilizing, however widespread settings embody:

  • Period: This controls how lengthy the screensaver will play earlier than going into sleep mode.
  • Begin after: This units the quantity of idle time earlier than the screensaver begins taking part in.
  • Present date and time: This permits or disables the show of the date and time on the screensaver.
  • Transition results: This controls the animation that performs when the screensaver begins and stops.
  • Click on to begin/cease: This setting lets you begin or cease the screensaver by clicking wherever on the display screen.

Transition Results

Transition results provide a wide range of animations that play when the screensaver begins and stops. A few of the obtainable results embody:

Impact Description
Fade in/out The screensaver step by step fades in or out.
Cross fade The screensaver fades from one picture to a different.
Slide in/out The screensaver slides in from the facet or high of the display screen.
Flip The screensaver flips in like a web page turning.
Dice The screensaver rotates like a dice.
Dissolve The screensaver dissolves into or out of one other picture.
Ken Burns impact The screensaver pans and zooms by a picture.

Experiment with completely different transition results to search out one that you simply like. You too can preview the impact by clicking on the “Preview” button within the Display screen Saver Choices window.

Selecting a Appropriate Video

Choosing the precise video is essential. Concerns embody:

Size and Dimension

Preserve the video quick (ideally beneath 30 seconds). Massive file sizes can decelerate your Mac.

File Format

Use an H.264 video encoded in an MP4 or MOV file format, that are appropriate with macOS.

Decision

Use a decision that matches your show (e.g., 1920×1080 for a Full HD show).

Facet Ratio

Select a facet ratio that enhances your show (e.g., 16:9 for many MacBooks).

Video High quality

Make sure the video high quality is excessive sufficient to keep away from pixelation or artifacts when performed in your Mac.

Audio High quality

Take into account the audio high quality, particularly should you plan to make use of the video as ambient background.

Content material Suitability

Choose a video that conforms to your meant goal and private preferences.

Copyright

Acquire the mandatory permissions or use royalty-free movies to keep away from copyright points.

Guaranteeing Compatibility with macOS

1. Compatibility Concerns

* macOS Catalina or later is required to make use of dynamic wallpapers.
* In case your Mac is operating an older model of macOS, replace it to Catalina or later.

2. Video File Necessities

* Supported video codecs embody MP4, MOV, and HEVC.
* The video will need to have a 16:9 facet ratio.
* The video ought to be optimized for the decision of your Mac’s display screen.

3. Video Size

* The video ought to be now not than 5 minutes.
* Movies longer than 5 minutes will likely be routinely shortened.

4. File Dimension

* The video ought to be lower than 100MB in dimension.
* Movies bigger than 100MB will likely be routinely compressed.

5. Video Decision

* The optimum video decision for a 13-inch Mac is 1280 x 800 pixels.
* For bigger Macs, the optimum decision is 1920 x 1200 pixels.

6. Coloration Profile

* The video ought to use the sRGB colour profile.
* Different colour profiles could end in inaccurate colours.

7. Video Results and Transitions

* Keep away from utilizing complicated video results or transitions.
* These results could trigger the video to decelerate or malfunction.

Extension Format
.mp4 MPEG-4 (H.264/MPEG-4 AVC)
.mov QuickTime (H.264/MPEG-4 AVC)
.hevc Excessive Effectivity Video Coding (H.265)

1. Video isn’t taking part in

Guarantee that the video file is in a format that’s supported by your Mac. Supported video codecs embody MP4, MOV, and M4V. If the video file is in a distinct format, you possibly can convert it to a supported format utilizing a video converter.

2. Video is taking part in choppily

If the video is taking part in choppily, it might be as a result of your Mac doesn’t have sufficient RAM or processing energy to play the video easily. To repair this, you possibly can strive closing different purposes which can be operating in your Mac, or you possibly can improve your Mac’s RAM or processor.

3. Video is distorted

If the video is distorted, it might be as a result of the video file is corrupted. To repair this, you possibly can strive downloading the video file once more, or you possibly can strive taking part in the video file in a distinct video participant.

4. Video has no sound

If the video has no sound, it might be as a result of the video file is corrupted, or it might be as a result of the sound is muted. To repair this, you possibly can strive downloading the video file once more, or you possibly can strive turning up the quantity in your Mac.

5. Video is simply too darkish or too vibrant

If the video is simply too darkish or too vibrant, you possibly can alter the brightness and distinction settings in your Mac’s System Preferences.

6. Video is stretched or distorted

If the video is stretched or distorted, it might be as a result of the video isn’t within the appropriate facet ratio. To repair this, you possibly can alter the facet ratio in your Mac’s video participant. To do that, open the video participant and click on on the “View” menu. Then, click on on the “Facet Ratio” submenu and choose the proper facet ratio for the video.

7. Video is taking part in the other way up or sideways

If the video is taking part in the other way up or sideways, it might be as a result of the video file is corrupted. To repair this, you possibly can strive downloading the video file once more, or you possibly can strive taking part in the video file in a distinct video participant.

8. Troubleshooting Video Playback Points in macOS

If you’re having bother taking part in movies in your Mac, there are some things you possibly can attempt to troubleshoot the difficulty.

Problem Doable Resolution
Video isn’t taking part in Guarantee that the video file is in a supported format. Convert the file if vital.
Video is taking part in choppily Shut different purposes, or improve your Mac’s RAM or processor.
Video is distorted Obtain the video file once more, or strive taking part in it in a distinct video participant.
Video has no sound Obtain the video file once more, or flip up the quantity in your Mac.
Video is simply too darkish or too vibrant Alter the brightness and distinction settings in System Preferences.
Video is stretched or distorted Alter the facet ratio within the video participant.
Video is taking part in the other way up or sideways Obtain the video file once more, or strive taking part in it in a distinct video participant.

Optimizing Display screen Saver Efficiency

Listed below are some further suggestions for optimizing the efficiency of your Mac’s display screen saver:

1. Use a solid-state drive (SSD).

SSDs are a lot sooner than conventional exhausting disk drives (HDDs), to allow them to load display screen savers extra rapidly and easily. You probably have an HDD, contemplate upgrading to an SSD.

2. Shut unused purposes.

Once you’re not utilizing an utility, shut it to release reminiscence and CPU sources. This can assist enhance the efficiency of your display screen saver.

3. Scale back the variety of display screen saver settings.

Every display screen saver setting makes use of a certain quantity of sources. If you happen to’re having efficiency issues, strive decreasing the variety of settings you are utilizing.

4. Use an easier display screen saver.

Advanced display screen savers can use numerous sources. If you happen to’re having efficiency issues, strive utilizing an easier display screen saver.

5. Flip off display screen saver preview.

The display screen saver preview can use numerous sources. If you happen to’re having efficiency issues, strive turning off the display screen saver preview.

6. Set a shorter display screen saver timeout.

The display screen saver timeout determines how lengthy your Mac stays on earlier than the display screen saver begins. If you happen to’re having efficiency issues, strive setting a shorter display screen saver timeout.

7. Disable display screen saver sizzling corners.

Display screen saver sizzling corners let you begin the display screen saver by transferring the mouse to a particular nook of the display screen. If you happen to’re not utilizing display screen saver sizzling corners, strive disabling them.

8. Reset the display screen saver settings.

If you happen to’re nonetheless having efficiency issues, you possibly can strive resetting the display screen saver settings. To do that, open the System Preferences app, click on on the “Desktop & Display screen Saver” icon, after which click on on the “Reset” button.

9. Contact Apple Assist.

If you happen to’re nonetheless having efficiency issues after attempting the entire above recommendations, it’s possible you’ll have to contact Apple Assist for assist.

Display screen Saver Setting Useful resource Utilization
Variety of pictures Medium
Transition sort Low
Background colour Low
Music Medium
Video Excessive

Take pleasure in a Dynamic House Display screen with a Video Background

Customise your Mac’s dwelling display screen with a charming video background that provides life to your desktop. Elevate your workspace with a vibrant transferring picture or immerse your self in a serene panorama with a serene video.

1. Choose a Appropriate Video

Select a video that aligns together with your preferences and enhances your desktop. Take into account its size, decision, and file format for optimum compatibility together with your Mac.

2. Convert the Video to macOS Format

Convert the chosen video to H.264 format, which is appropriate with the Mac’s video participant. Use a video conversion software program to make sure seamless playback.

3. Import the Video into Pictures

Import the transformed video into the Pictures app in your Mac. This step permits the video to be acknowledged by the desktop’s customization settings.

4. Set the Video as Desktop Background

Navigate to “System Preferences” > “Desktop & Display screen Saver” > “Desktop,” and click on the “+” button. Choose the video you imported into Pictures.

5. Alter the Video Settings (Elective)

Customise the video background by adjusting its dimension, alignment, and transparency. Place the video in the popular place in your desktop and alter its visibility to boost the visible affect.

6. Toggle Video Playback

Management the video playback by clicking the “Play/Pause” button within the Desktop & Display screen Saver menu. Pause the video when desired or let it loop repeatedly to create a dynamic dwelling display screen expertise.

7. Handle Video Playback (Elective)

Modify the video’s playback settings by right-clicking on the desktop and choosing “Change Desktop Background.” Alter the video’s velocity, rotate it, and mirror it to tailor it to your aesthetic preferences.

8. Use A number of Desktops (Elective)

Create a number of desktops in your Mac and assign completely different video backgrounds to every one. This permits for a novel and customized dwelling display screen expertise for numerous duties and contexts.

9. Troubleshoot Video Playback

If you happen to encounter any points with video playback, confirm the video file format, guarantee it is appropriate together with your Mac, and alter the system settings accordingly.

10. Discover Further Customization Choices

Uncover additional customization choices to boost your video dwelling display screen expertise. Personalize the desktop menu bar, customise the dock, and make the most of widgets to create a very distinctive and useful workspace that displays your particular person fashion.

Find out how to Have the Mac Homescreen Play a Video

To have the Mac homescreen play a video, observe these steps:

1.

Open System Preferences and click on on Desktop & Display screen Saver.

2.

Click on on the Display screen Saver tab.

3.

Choose the video you wish to use as your screensaver from the Supply drop-down menu.

4.

Click on on the Begin button to begin the screensaver.

Folks Additionally Ask

How do I make a video my screensaver on Mac?

To make a video your screensaver on Mac, observe these steps:

  1. Open System Preferences and click on on Desktop & Display screen Saver.

  2. Click on on the Display screen Saver tab.

  3. Click on on the Supply drop-down menu and choose Video Folder.

  4. Choose the video you wish to use as your screensaver.

  5. Click on on the Begin button to begin the screensaver.

How do I cease the video from taking part in on my Mac homescreen?

To cease the video from taking part in in your Mac homescreen, observe these steps:

  1. Open System Preferences and click on on Desktop & Display screen Saver.

  2. Click on on the Display screen Saver tab.

  3. Click on on the Cease button to cease the screensaver.