Help me understand odd divx 5 avi file

[ohhowhappy]

I have a Divx 5 avi - a Bunuel film - that won't play properly. I tried loading in Windows Media Player classic, WMP standard, and Zoomplayer and all of them couldn't open the file. I then tried to open in DivFix to adjust the header, and even that couldn't open it.

However, I tried Virtual Dub and it plays the file. Opening in Gspot tells me that it's encoded in Divx 5.0. I'm not that familiar with Gspot, but when I try to render the video within Gspot (using the vid buttons on the bottom left), the render sequence fails: "Failed to create instance of Divx decoder filter...error 0x80040154. Class not registered." However, using the MS string -- which is just using quartz.dll and not bringing in Divx or xvid -- the render sequence is ok.

Can someone help me understand this? Should I try to reencode it in xvid via VirtualDub? Thanks.

[jggimi]

It appears that this is a DivX source that you obtained from another, and that does not qualify under our rules as Fair Use (http://www.doom9.org/disclaimer.htm).

Buñuel's filmography is very broad: www.imdb.com lists 37 films as a writer, 32 as director, 9 as actor, 7 as producer, 6 as editor. You're certainly welcome to clarify which intellectual property you are seeking assistance with. We're willing to assist, but only if it does not violate that interpretation of Fair Use, and of course, Forum Rule 6.

And if you like Buñuel's works, you might like some of his wittiest quotes:

http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/l/luis_bunuel.html

[ohhowhappy]

What do you think Bunuel would have had to say about distribution of his films? He was a anarcho-communist, not a lawyer. I realize that Doom faces legal restrictions but is it really necessary for you to act the role of a toady of interests that are so completely external to your own? I'm not asking for help with The Aviator or somesuch crap, The film is the Phantom of Liberty, and it's hard to imagine Bunuel would be concerned about anything beyond broadening his audience.

[neuron2]

If you can't graciously accept the forum rules, which are designed to protect the forum and ensure its continued existence, you are welcome to find an alternative venue for your insults.

[jggimi]

You don't have to like our rules, but you agreed to them when you joined three years ago. If you haven't been very active since, you should be aware that we are scrupulously protective of IP rights.

And his personal opinion may not matter, since he doesn't own the IP to every one of his works. Those he did are controlled by his estate, and it's the current contractual obligations of his estate that matters, as well as their opinions. That's why I asked which work you were describing. Their IP status will vary. Two examples: His very first directed film, Un chien andalou was self-produced. His estate has three distribution agreements for this film in place today, in Greece, in Australia, and in the US.

His very last directed film, Cet obscur objet du désir, is owned by three companies, two French and one Spanish. There are three active distribution contracts in the US, alone.Since it has become reasonably obvious this your question is not regarding Fair Use of intellectual propery, you will get no assistance from this forum.

Thread closed.

[Edit Postscript. You've revealed the film to be Le Fantôme de la liberté. That is the intellectual property of Euro International Film (EIA) S.p.A., and Greenwich Film Productions. You are being unfair to the distribution companies as well: Fox-Rank, Rialto Pictures, Sagres Filmes, and 20th Century Fox Film Corp.]