History of DivX (3/4/5)

[SeriousWorm]

Hi,

since I'm doing a full-featured DivX "paper" (I don't know how to say it on English), and a big part of it will be its' history, I'm wondering whether is there any written documentation on the history of DivX, since DivX 3.11a. I already wrote the history of MPEG (general), MPEG-4 and ASF, but altough I know how to shortly describe DivX 3, I need some reference material to make an "Intro to DivX 3" section.

So, I'd more than happy if anyone could provide me with some links with the DivX history reference material. I've seen the DivX 5.1 manual but the DivX history part is a bit short.

Thanks in advance.

[bond]

gej hacked the ms mpeg-4 codec and labelled it divx;-) (aka divx3.11)

than gej and some others (starting divxnetworks) created "project mayo", an opensource mpeg-4 codec (aka divx4)

after sparky comitted some great code (aka encore2) to the opensource cvs of project mayo to enhance divx4, divxnetworks decided to remove it from the publically available cvs again and create an own new closed source project based on it:
divx5 was born (think about this move as you wish) - divx4 was left behind

still some other guys (isibaar, gruel and suxendrol i think, not 100% sure), who loved the opensource idea, had the encore2 code, as it had been opensourced before, and decided to continue the opensource project with it:
xvid was born


you will find a lot of infos about the history of divx (and xvid) in the project mayo forum, where these things were discussed

[SeriousWorm]

Originally posted by bond
long post...

Ok thanks, but are there any written docs that can be used as reference?

[bond]

nope, you will have to go to the field yourself and scientifically work yourself through the available "raw" sources (eg project mayo forum)

[SeriousWorm]

Originally posted by bond
nope, you will have to go to the field yourself and scientifically work yourself through the available "raw" sources (eg project mayo forum)

OK, I got your point

[mf]

bond, one little correction: Project Mayo founded OpenDivX, which had an open-source license (DXN-conceived though, and it had a nasty part that allowed them to go closed source with it), and encore2 actually became DivX4.

By the way, searching Invision Power Board SUCKS DONKEY BALLS.
I did find the post where I explained it all in detail luckily, and here it is:

Originally posted in thread Divx 5 on the VirtualDub Support Forums
DivX3 is a hack of MSMPEG4 to make it work with AVI. OpenDivX is an open source codec based on the MoMuSys reference implementation, and not based on anything else. XviD and DivX4/5 are based on encore2 (encoder core component) from OpenDivX. For clarification, encore2 was so much better than the original OpenDivX encore, that DXN contacted the author (sparky) and assimilated him into the company. The source was then closed and encore2 removed from OpenDivX CVS, and DXN went on to create DivX4. However, people had checkouts of the original encore2 source (which was either OpenDivX licensed or GPL licensed, I'm not sure) and went on with that to make XviD. DivX5 is simply a new milestone version over DivX4. By now there is no more OpenDivX or MoMuSys code left in XviD. DivX5 Pro contains improvements over DivX5 standard, though XviD has the same features plus more for free. The downside of XviD is that you can't use it as a company because of MPEG-LA licensing. It's only for personal (aka "educational") use.

[DigitAl56K]

You will also find some information in the user guide (linked below). You'll need Adobe Acrobat Reader 5 or higher to view it, and I recommend you right-click and do "Save target as" to download it before you try to read it.

Good luck on the paper!

[SeriousWorm]

Originally posted by DigitAl56K
You will also find some information in the user guide (linked below). You'll need Adobe Acrobat Reader 5 or higher to view it, and I recommend you right-click and do "Save target as" to download it before you try to read it.

lol, I've read the guide months ago and it has proven an invaluable resource as reference material

Good luck on the paper!

Thanks. I'm now done with the DivX 3 section and am now writing how OpenDivX was formed, Project Mayo, etc. I must admit I'm a bit misguided about that since there's so much stuff... DivX 5 is easy (already done that section), DivX 3 is easy but there's so much background behind DivX 4 that I really don't know what will come out of that section at the end

[bond]

SeriousWorm,
dont forget to write about XviD, it is also very closely related to the "divx" history as written above

[buzzqw]

@SeriusWorm

and don't forget to publish your script online so we can read !

Thx


BHH

[SeriousWorm]

Bond, altough I'm aware that XviD is very closely related to DivX, I think the "paper" will be too large for me to handle. It's very large as it is now... sorry

buzzqw, the "paper" will be in Croatian and I doubt much of you understand that language

[buzzqw]

Azz... Sorry only italian or english

I hope in babylon...

BHH

[temporance]

Originally posted by bond
after sparky comitted some great code (aka encore2) to the opensource cvs of project mayo to enhance divx4, divxnetworks decided to remove it from the publically available cvs again and create an own new closed source project based on it:
divx5 was born (think about this move as you wish) - divx4 was left behind

Or, to spin it the other way:

After finishing DivX 4, DXN began work on a new, closed-source project called "encore2" and one of their developers accidentally leaked it to the opensource CVS. The opensource guys zealously siezed this opportunity and xvid was born. Within DXN, encore2 became DivX 5.

I've nothing aginst xvid, DXN or anyone else, I just like to play devil's advocate: AIUI, sparky was on the DXN payroll when they created encore2.

[bond]

Originally posted by temporance
one of their developers accidentally leaked it to the opensource CVS

how do you proove this statement?

[temporance]

Originally posted by bond
after sparky comitted some great code (aka encore2) to the opensource cvs of project mayo to enhance divx4, divxnetworks decided to remove it from the publically available cvs again

How do you prove this statement, specifically the word "after"?

Can anyone remember how long was encore2 in the open on the DXN servers?

[mf]

Nice try spreading false info, temporance. Encore2 was prior to DivX4 (there were no public plans of such a release or version scheme), and there was a development thread about encore2 started by, yes, sparky.

[temporance]

Originally posted by mf
Nice try spreading false info, temporance. Encore2 was prior to DivX4 (there were no public plans of such a release or version scheme), and there was a development thread about encore2 started by, yes, sparky.

There is some history, but not the whole story, here: http://forums.projectmayo.com/viewto...c=1742&forum=8

Bond's history is an excellent summary, I only disagree with the order that things happened. I believe that DXN always intended to go closed source: long before encore2 existed. Maybe not all their developers even knew it.

Everyone involved with encore2 was already on DXN's payroll. And, AFAIK, at least 99% of the OpenDivX (which continued to be open) coding was done by sparky and the rest of the DXN team (called "DARC"). I don't believe any open source developer had his code 'stolen' by DXN.

I agree with you that DXN botched the move to closed-source when it comes to PR. I mean, what could be worse than tempting the community with a brand new encoder, then pulling it from CVS? At least enough people got a copy of the code that it could be used as the basis for an early xvid.

[mf]

sparky was NOT part of DARC prior to encore2 - at least he was never listed as such on the forum software. Speculate all you want, but I had my eyes open during that time.