DivX comes to the Xbox 360
Video playback options widen
Microsoft’s Xbox 360 dashboard update has sneaked in something extra: the hoped-for addition of DivX playback functionality.
The Xbox Team’s official blog includes an AVI file support FAQ, which says the console now “supports files encoded using MPEG-4 Part 2, Simple and Advanced Simple Profile”, which the team adds are “often referred to as Xvid or DivX video files”.
Another FAQ on the web page, entitled ‘What exactly does the Xbox 360 support for AVI?’, also mentions support for .divx file extensions.
However, the site warns that while some files authored for DivX devices may contain additional functions, such as menus or subtitles, the console won't support these. It also states that, in some cases, the console may not even be able to play the file at all.
The Xbox 360 will only support content encoded with DivX version 5.0 or later.
DivX support for the Sony PS3 was announced last month. This was followed by speculation that DivX was working to incorporate its software into another major games console.
More information about Microsoft’s Xbox 360 Fall Dashboard update is available on its website.
Thanks to Register Hardware reader John for the heads up.
COMMENTS
Hurrah! No more WMV!
Maksim when i want to watch a dvd ony the 360 (im using MCE and the 360 as an extender) all i do is use DVDDhrink to rip the dvd to a single vob file (takes a few mins) rename the file from .vob to .mpg and the 360 will play it just fine.
@RancidM
Yes, what I really mean is that the 360 can handle the H.264 codec, just not the pirated porn you downloaded. Boo hoo.
mkv..
While "pirates" are happily making HD rips of movies using the mkv container it’s just a shame the sources aren't really trustworthy. I have seen countless hd rips which were just upscaled.
I would love to know the ripper really used the hd-disc the nfo says. Also it doesn't really matter that much if you get the full hd disc or a dvd9 rip...
Encoding with x264 isn’t as simple as click and forget.
x264 is capable of a good picture but is not producing this out of the box. So the probability that any rip out there is delivering the full quality is pretty low. There's probably only a handful of guys who know the tweaks of x264 and can produce real quality..
Hurrah! No more WMV!
Right now one of my PCs is slaving away ripping some rental DVDs to WMV so I can later play it thru my 360. (I rent in bulk, watch slowly.) It would be a little nicer to have ripped to DivX, but otherwise that's not too bad.
But what's really nice is (unless I'm mistaken) now I'll be able to watch most movies straight from the Torrent, without converting to WMV.
No Support for DivX® or XviD Specifically, But support for the Algorithm they use
Microsoft is very careful with wording its release... it didn't add DivX® support, it "Added support for Mpeg-4 part 2 video files in AVI containers" which just so happens to be what DivX® uses for one of its compression algorithms.
Or from the developer's blog:
"**15. What types of AVI files are supported?
The Xbox 360 supports files encoded using MPEG-4 Part 2, Simple and Advanced Simple Profile. These files are often referred to as Xvid or DivX® video files. Many common PC DVD authoring tools, cameras, and camcorders are capable of encoding files using MPEG-4. Note that some files authored for DivX devices may also contain additional functionality(menus, subtitles, multiple audio tracks, etc). The Xbox 360 will attempt to play these files, but does not support any of the additional functionality and in some cases will be unable to play the file. "
Most probably, to claim DivX® support requires permission from and some $$$ to be paid to DivX, the company. That's probably why Microsoft didn't come out directly say that DivX® was supported.
Check the following links for more details
http://www.xbox.com/en-US/support/systemupdates/20071204-features.htm
http://blogs.msdn.com/xboxteam/archive/2007/11/30/december-2007-video-playback-faq.aspx
