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DivX 6 released

15 June 2005 12:38 by Petteri "dRD" Pyyny | 41 comments

DivX, Inc. (formerly known as DivXNetworks) released today a new major version of their video compression technology, DivX. The new version, DivX v6.0, introduces several new features and also changes quite dramatically the way how their software is being packaged as well.

First of all, the old "DivX Free" and "DivX Pro" split is still sorta there, but now you can't get the DivX by itself anymore. Now the codec comes with two different bundles. First bundle is the most important one for those who are interested of watching DivX movies -- DivX Play Bundle. This package includes:

free version of DivX v6.0 codec (the one that doesn't have all the neat "next generation" encoding options available for those who are interested of making their own DivX movies)
DivX Player -- company's own video player
DivX Media File playback support -- support for DivX's new container format that allows storing menus, subtitles, alternate audio tracks, etc to a single video container file.

Second bundle is called DivX Create Bundle and it contains these elements:

DivX Pro v6.0 codec (the one that does support all the neat encoding options..)
DivX Converter -- DivX's replacement to their old Dr.DivX, basically a software that eases the DivX encoding process
DivX Player -- see above

As you probably spotted, DivX has introduced their own container format that aims to replace AVI as the main DivX holder. Unsurprisingly, their file extension for the DivX Media Format will be .divx. The DivX Media Format supports creation of menu structures within the container, several audio tracks, subtitles, chapters and tags (does this sound somewhat familiar?).

DivX 6 also support HD resolutions and it is highly likely that we'll see "DivX Certified" HD-capable playback devices in near future. Additionally, the support for Windows 98 and Windows ME has been dropped completely. Users of these operating systems need to use DivX v5.2.1 instead. Mac users also need to wait until the DivX 6 for Mac is released -- release date is not set yet for Mac version.

The changelog for the DivX 6.0 codec itself:

Support for the DivX Media Format is enabled in third-party media players. In this first rev of our DivX Media Format filters we have tested against Windows Media Player 6.4 through 10. "What the *&#!?" I hear you cry. We have also begun development for several other popular players, but many of these are not directly compatible with our filters yet. Better support in other players will follow as we release the DivX 6 SDK. If you are a developer please get in touch so we can hook you up with what you need.
When you play DivX media files you should see a DivX toolbar icon popping up in your system tray where it is possible to select audio tracks, subtitles, chapter points, video tags, and change playback settings. From the toolbar you can also access the DivX Menu Navigator control. The DivX Menu Navigator makes it possible to use both mouse and key control for navigation in most players.
The DivX 6 decoder includes enhanced post-processing that is both optimized for PSNR and faster than that of the DivX 5 decoder.
We've redesigned the DivX codec encoder interface to better group related items and enable easier navigation. Gone are the popup wizard dialogs of yesteryear! The encoder window also has smaller dimensions, which will be a real boost for those of you still crazy enough to be running at 800x600 Wink
The encoding mode breakdown has been reworked to include modes ranging from Fastest through Insane quality to better balance encoding rate versus video quality. Most modes feature rate-distortion optimization and visible quality differentiation.
We have added Extreme and Insane quality modes to the encoder. Extreme quality will give you production quality video, but for those who always want the absolute best, Insane mode enables all the internal bells and whistles to guarantee the maximum video quality.
DivX codec now includes PSNR optimized H.263 quantization for superior retention of detail when compressing the picture.
4MV search is enabled in Portable, Home Theater, High Definition and Unconstrained profiles, allowing for better quality at lower resolutions, improved sharpness and reduced ringing artifacts.
Multiple consecutive bi-directional coding is enabled in High Definition profile. All bi-directional coding now uses the packed schema. Up to two consecutive B-VOPs are enabled in High Definition profile, and up to three are enabled in Unconstrained profile.
The VBV for Portable profile has been changed to take advantage of real-world DivX Certified portable devices enabling higher video quality. Video created under Portable profile in DivX 5 codec is fully compatible with the new VBV model.
The Encoder Feedback Window now includes a Lite version that consumes less space on the desktop and allows you to monitor progress during encoding. It's possible to switch between the Lite version and the full Feedback Window, and from the Feedback Window Lite you can set the process priority incase you want to do some other work while encoding. The Feedback Windows does introduce some impact on encoding rate, and we will be addressing this in future.

As always, you can download all the versions from our site:

DivX Play Bundle v6.0
DivX Create Bundle v6.0

More information: DivX.com

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Discuss this article!	There are more user comments available, read them here
diabolos (Senior Member) 17 June 2005 13:57
The philips dvp642 is Divx certified but it only guarantees campatibility with Divx versions 3.11, 4.x, and 5.x! They shouldn't be obligated to ugrade (even though they should anyway). If they do upgrade the dvp's firmware I would be impressed enough to buy philips optical disc players for a long time (cause thier so cool). Ced [ + quote]
tmfloria (Senior Member) 17 June 2005 14:08
There was no Divx 6 at the time the 642 was manufactured so they wouldn't have been any support for anything but ver 3 -5 depending on how popular 6 becomes I'm sure they'll upgrade some firm ware for it... has anyone tried to see what happens when ver 6 is played in it? Just curious if it gives any errors even if the file is an AVI file not a .divx file [ + quote]
huntr (Newbie) 17 June 2005 21:25
I downloaded the create package last night and played around with it for a while. After a few crashes it seemed to settle down. The problem I have , is that when I try playing back the files with mplayer2 and media player classic, the computer tries to connect to the internet. I don't like any program that tries to connect to the internet without at least asking first. I immediately removed Divx_6 and reloaded Divx 5.2.1. Call me paranoid, but I really get upset when programs decide to do things without my input. [ + quote]
Phantom69 (Senior Member) 17 June 2005 23:59
i have to agree with dat, i don't like havin sneaks in my computer, don't get me rong (spelling <?>) i'm all for new stuff, supposably better dan de old but i want sometin stable and effective as well, hope they work it out. maybe they should produce a completely free codec which is worth-while. I know that there is a free version of the codec but i gots to say XviD is betta... [ + quote]
mrchub (Member) 18 June 2005 0:52
huntr, just tell media player to not automatically attempt to search for new codecs on the net. [ + quote]
kosmodivx (Newbie) 18 June 2005 7:48
Hi again, I just wanted to answer one of the questions raised, about why the product contacts the internet. For a detailed answer, see this page: http://forums.divx.com/eve/ubb.x/a/tpc/f/201101651/m/593109352 The short answer is that the product is looking for two things: 1, if there is a new version available, and 2, if the banner within the product needs updating. Both things can be turned off, and neither sends any private information. I hope that allays fears that anything underhanded is going on. And remember, it can be turned off if that is what you prefer, without affecting the performance of DivX whatsoever. Let me know if you have any more questions. Kosmonautbruce [ + quote]
huntr (Newbie) 18 June 2005 19:19
Windows Media player can have the option of looking for new codecs turned off, but I can't seem to find out how to turn this off in mplayer2 or mplayer_classic, which are different programs. As this point, I'm not certain if it is the player or the little program that Divx_6 loads whenever I start to play a file encoded with v6. Logic tells me that it shouldn't be the player, because as soon as I click cancel on the dial-up window the movie starts, indicating that the codec is already loaded. I couldn't find a way to disable the Divx6 look-up routine (although I will admit I only gave a cursury look)so I just unloaded Divx_6 and went back to ver. 5.2.1. I'll probably reload 6 again and try again. Sorry for any confusion. [ + quote]
oliblake (Newbie) 19 June 2005 2:35
i installed DIVX 6 and i get an annoying divx logo on all my videos. how can i get rid of it? [ + quote]
lordgov (Newbie) 19 June 2005 9:54
Two things: When something is DivX certified that means there is a standard that most be followed. Not that its supposed to be able to play the latest tweak to a codecs. Ie, No manufacturer should update anything. People should make their streams compatible. Even with Divx5 you could generate non standard encodes (GMC, Quaterpixel and other junk) And second; if a program goes online without the user asking for it, its an amoral program that should be avoided at all costs, regardless of the excuses of "it's only...". Of course Divx are no strangers to this, vitness the old 'must validate via internet stuff' I'm surprised anyone from them are actually posting comments though, it used to be you could wait months for any kind of support. [ + quote]
kosmodivx (Newbie) 20 June 2005 16:19
Lordgov, I apologize if you have received poor support from DivX in the past. We are definitely trying to improve in that area. As to programs connecting to the internet, I certainly understand your suspicion. All of us have had to deal with adware/spyware in the past and it's a serious problem. At the same time, being able to connect to the internet can be a very powerful feature for trusted programs. The only thing I can say is that we are trying to be upfront and let you know what we're doing, and then giving the user absolute control over what happens. And if that is not sufficient for our users, I'm sure we will change in the future to meet the needs of our customers. -Kosmonautbruce [ + quote]
Morphenus (Newbie) 26 June 2005 0:46
For those interested, if you have a Pioneer divx player, just call your nearest Pioneer warehouse & they will send you a firmware upgrade CD for divx6. Mine should arrive very soon. Can't wait as I wish to test out the menu's & features. [ + quote]
Gulfwindx (Inactive) 26 June 2005 2:34
What would I need to use MS MCE and DIVX 6.0 It Has a VIDEO TAB in the GUI [ + quote]
lhinckley (Newbie) 26 June 2005 6:09
So what about those of us who bought the Philips 630 player for DivX playback? [ + quote]
duckNrun (Inactive) 26 June 2005 8:43
Kosmo: In the past I've bought Dr. DivX when I thought of converting my movie collection into a HDD collection. I Put that on hold waiting for a newer/better codec. I've been playing with the create bundle and used the DivX site to find answers, but to no avail. After using the New DivX Converter to convert a main movie VOB's I was extrremely pleased with the video quality. Here's my probs: 1) No matter what I do, my audio feed, once converted, is way too silent (have to turn volume almost up to max!). I adjusted the AC3 filter volume and used the 'big fix' but still not improved :o( 2) Unless I'm blind (lol) I cannot locate the codec configuration to enable me to adjust the encoding process (the site shows a GUI for it-- as in number of passes, bitrate all the goodies that Dr Divx included) all I have located in all the files/folders is the playback configuration 3) Is there a way to enable Dr. Divx (assuming I cannot 'adjust' the encoding process with the new Converter) to use the new codec? The Dr. had the option to boost audio and while that isnt' the 'ideal' fix (ideal being no fix needed) it's better than pumping my HTPC/Reciever volume almost up to max. Thanks [ + quote]
DacobKaal (Newbie) 1 July 2005 7:05
Kosmonaut, Any news concerning altering the encoder settings (bitrate/audio/etc)? In Dr. Divx, it was simple enough...select Home Theater, change Audio to CBR MP3 192K, set to 1400MB and rock. There's got to be a way to either manually adjust these settings or create a 'profile' to load that contains custom settings concerning size/bitrate/etc. Please? [ + quote]
kosmodivx (Newbie) 1 July 2005 8:31
We're still working on it. Something you might want to take a look at in the meantime, that will allow you to use DivX 6 within Dr. DivX: http://forums.divx.com/eve/ubb.x/a/tpc/f/931101651/m/149105352/r/803103552#803103552 Let me know if I can help further. -Kosmonautbruce [ + quote]
DacobKaal (Newbie) 1 July 2005 8:35
Sweet! You rock, as always. Glad to hear Dr. Divx is still alive. [ + quote]
Dameem85 (Newbie) 5 July 2005 9:41
Yes, i have a question to as Kosmonautbruce. Can i have menues and other things which i'm unaware of, and still record my movies as a data cd. I asked this question before as i used Ulead DVD MovieFactory, but someone told me that this wont write it as a data cd and will decompress the movie files so a 4.7GB DVD would hold only 4 25min/movie. with DivX 6, will i still be able to write the movies as a data DVD, and still have menues and whatsoever. So in short, can i put instead of 4, 28 25min/movie and still use menues and other stuff. It's ok if i have to wait and buy a new DVD player, because on both cases, i still haven't bought one yet. Thanks. Ow yes cause you've got such a heavy load around here....How you commin on that novel you've been working on...gotta big stack of papers there...gotta, gotta, gotta nice liitle...nice little story you've been working on there...the big, big novel you've been working on for three years...hu!tsk...gotta Propeling Protagonist, hu?...gotta gotta obsticle for him to overcome, hu?...little story you've been working on, tsk, working on for quite sometime hu? yeah, talking on that three years ago, hu?...been working on that the whole time?...nice little narrative beginning middle and end...some friends become enemies, some enemies become friends, hu?...at the end your main character is richer for the experience, ya?, ya?...ya?, you got the, NO NO, you you deserve some time off. [ + quote]
ALAND (Member) 5 July 2005 9:50
Has anyone tried Divx to DVD [ + quote]
DacobKaal (Newbie) 5 July 2005 10:30
Dameem, If your DVD player can handle Divx files, it will support DivX 6 video, even in the container format, it will just not support menuing until your firmware is updated. As far as burning to DVD, that depends on the program, and how you choose to burn it. I know Nero will let you choose if you want video files burned as data (simply choose to create a data DVD and add files), or as a VCD/SVCD/DVD. Hope that helps. Aland, DivX to DVD should work as it has always worked. You'll need a DVD creator program, and as long as the program allows you to use any supported codec....and it supports at least DivX 5, you should not have any problems. I have not messed with trying to convert .divx menus to DVD menus, and that may not yet work properly, but as this is still a 'new' feature, I am sure we will see these abilities built into encoders/transcoders shortly as they move to support this new container format. /. this, Baby! [ + quote] This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 5 July 2005 10:31
Dameem85 (Newbie) 5 July 2005 11:00
Thanks DacobKaal on the fast reply and thanks, you did say what i wanted to know. Now i think the only question which remains is, who is going to be the first person/website to explain how to crete those menues and stuff so we can enjoy watching them on our wide screen TV's?? Regards. Ow yes cause you've got such a heavy load around here....How you commin on that novel you've been working on...gotta big stack of papers there...gotta, gotta, gotta nice liitle...nice little story you've been working on there...the big, big novel you've been working on for three years...hu!tsk...gotta Propeling Protagonist, hu?...gotta gotta obsticle for him to overcome, hu?...little story you've been working on, tsk, working on for quite sometime hu? yeah, talking on that three years ago, hu?...been working on that the whole time?...nice little narrative beginning middle and end...some friends become enemies, some enemies become friends, hu?...at the end your main character is richer for the experience, ya?, ya?...ya?, you got the, NO NO, you you deserve some time off. [ + quote]
DacobKaal (Newbie) 5 July 2005 11:49
As stated, I haven't messed with the "Create bundle" yet, so I'm not going to be much help there. It's pointless at this point anyway, since the only way you'd be able to see the menus on a TV is by hooking your PC directly to it with a TV-Out card since no stand-aloneplayers currently officially support DivX 6. /. this, Baby! [ + quote]
kosmodivx (Newbie) 7 July 2005 13:09
You can create menus and the rest of the new DivX Media Format features in a very basic way with the DivX Converter program. A new version of AutoGK that includes these kinds of things is in the works but I don't know when it will released. We are going to be releasing a lot of tools to enable much more sophisticated menu creation also in the near future, it's just taking more time than we originally envisioned. As to playback of DivX 6 Media features on standalone players, that I can assure you is coming. We're working directly with manufacturers to get firmware upgrades out for this. Ok, I realize this is a lot of promise without a lot of specifics, but you will see these things over the next few months, it just depends on how hard we can get those engineers working! Let me know if I can answer any more questions. -Kosmonaut DivX, Inc. San Diego, CA [ + quote]
mrchub (Member) 7 July 2005 13:59
Anyone caught a whiff of a firmware upgrade for DivX 6 for the Philips DVP642 yet? Thx. [ + quote]
mrchub (Member) 8 July 2005 10:03
Kosmonaut, will you be posting info about such firmware updates here, or is there some other reliable place where users can find them? I, like many people, am a Philips 642 user and would really like to know when they release an update. Since their customer support is abominable it would be nice to know where we can find such information (and the DivX website doesn't seem to have anything, either). Thx. [ + quote]
kosmodivx (Newbie) 8 July 2005 10:09
I would check at the DivX forums, particularly here: http://forums.divx.com/eve/ubb.x/a/frm/f/531101651 You might also check www.videohelp.com, the forums there are also quite good. -Kosmonaut DivX, Inc. San Diego, CA [ + quote]