DivX is the most popular and sought-after audio and video codec package not only in Russia, but also abroad. Thanks to it, files of the most popular formats(DivX, AVI, MKV, MP4, MOV with DivX To Go) can be played on your computer and in your browser. At the same time, the quality of DivX files is practically the same, but the size is much smaller. This feature was the main reason for choosing this codec at a time when DVD discs and players were not available to everyone. Plus, the latest version of DivX is equipped with a number of additional features (conversion, view video via DLNA networks, create your own videos, etc.).
DivX ;-)" first appeared in free access in September 1999. The authors of this patch were the French programmers MaxMorice and Gej (Jerome) Rota. They hacked into MPEG-4 Version 3 and posted the results on their site.
The smiley face next to the title was a "tribute" to an American company Circuit City, which at that time was trying to market its video systems of the same name. Their discs were available at record low prices, but you had to pay to watch them again. More than one hacker at the time tried to break Digital Video Express' access codes. But the company abruptly disappeared from the U.S. market, and the name of their video systems was immortalized in the new format that appeared.
Up until 2002, all released versions of DivX were completely free. But, in March of that year, the situation changed somewhat. In fact, the DivX 5.0.x codec pack was not for sale, they added additional paid components to it, which are not necessary to use. Thus, the basic version created a video stream (MPEG-4), and the commercial version supported Global motion compensation, B-Frames, QPel.
Support for MKV and H.264 (AVC) has been available since version 7 of the codec.
Almost all standard players support DivX formats (even with Full HD 1080 expansion). At the same time, an independent team, based on OpenDivX, creates its main competitor (and in fact analog) - XviD.
The DivX interface essentially does not change with the version update. It is in English and not understanding users are better to leave all settings in automatic mode, because the wrong changes can entail not only deterioration of the playback, but also create an additional load on the system.
In general, you can experiment with the choice of speed and quality mode variations without much harm to your computer:
- Fast - does not perform any analysis;
- Standart - all codec's functions are active;
- Slow - the work of the codec slows down (quality is supposed to increase) due to changes in the bitrate mechanism.
You can also choose one of the ready profiles for encoding:
- Handheld - suitable for portable devices with a resolution no higher than 176x144 and 15 fps. (in this mode you need to turn off B-frames beforehand);
- Portable - corresponds to portable devices with a resolution not more than 352x240 and 30 fps. Or 352x288 and 25 fps;
- Home Theatre - suitable for consoles, games, players, etc. Recommended resolution: 720x480 and 30 fps or 720x576 and 25 fps;
- High Difinition - high resolution support. But such materials can only be played back on a computer. Maximum resolution: 1280x720 and 30 fps.
Basic DivX features:
- In addition to playing the above formats, this codec package allows you to watch movies with built-in interactive elements (menus, subtitles, alternate audio streams, etc.).
- DivX Codec freely integrates with such professional video processing applications as Adobe Premiere, Pinnacle Studio, Ulead Video Studio, VirtualDub, etc.
- In addition to codecs, player, web player and a trial version of the decoder, the DivX package includes free DivX H.264 Decoder. It allows you to play Full HD videos without overloading the processor.
- The latest version of DivX has added support for DNLA compatible devices. This allows you to view any media content on a compatible device without having to re-download information via flash drives, disks and wires.
- There are new profiles, allowing to remake video for the iPad and iPhone.
- Also, each user can add subtitles, additional audio tracks and other interactive elements.
- The new version supports MPG, TS, VOB, SVCD and other files.
Contents of DivX codec pack:
- DivX Plus Player (player);
- DivX Plus Codec Pack (codec pack itself for playing media files in any players);
- DivX Plus Web Player (player in a web environment);
- DivX Plus Converter (a converter with a 15-day trial period, after which you can buy a license or not use it).
