DivX 6 released!

[DigitAl56K]

It's finally here! w00t!

Today, June 15th, we're excited to announce the official release of DivX 6!

DivX 6 marks a new era in DivX history. Where before DivX was simply a codec technology, today we expand the DivX universe and add the DivX Media Format to our media ecosystem. Bringing with it advanced media features such as alternate audio tracks, multiple XSUB(tm) subtitle streams, XTAG(tm) video tags, chapter points, interactive video menus with scene selection, multiple titles and more, the DivX Media Format creates a true home theater experience both on and off the desktop.

Since 2002 we have been working with scores of consumer electronics manufacturers around the globe to develop certification programs to enable reliable interoperability and guarantee a high quality viewing experience with DivX content. In the last year, all of this hard work has really paid off for the worldwide digital video community. The DivX Certified partner list now boasts 198 hardware manufacturers, with over 500 DivX Certified product models. Last year over twenty million devices shipped into retail channels, which meant that anyone could walk into their nearest electronics store and pick up a DivX DVD player. The Philips DVP642, priced at less than US $70, stole the show and hit Amazon.com's #1 spot for Electronics many times throughout the year.

For us, the DivX Media Format is the next step on the path to bringing the movie experience we all dream about to life in millions of devices around the world. Over the past three years we've been working with manufacturers behind the scenes to build support for the new advanced media features of DivX, like alternate audio tracks and subtitles, which can be played in certified devices on sale today. Now we are working closely with those same manufacturers to ensure that full support for other advanced features like menus, scene selection, surround sound, video tags and chapter points will become available in DivX Certified devices in the near future.

To illustrate just what DivX is now capable of, take a look at a couple of the DivX media files already using the new advanced media features: Revelations, a film by Star Wars fans, and an all new, souped-up Last Man Standing. You'll need a BitTorrent client and a copy of DivX Player 6 to download and play these. Notice also that the ".divx" file extension is used to refer to DivX media files, whereas DivX AVI files still use the ".avi" extension [Al: Cheesy branding insert courtesy of Bez ].

So how do you create your own DivX media files? After spending the past few months locking down our format specification, the DivX 6 SDK is undergoing heavy development and will include all the tools, libraries, documentation, and APIs necessary to create DivX media files manually, or to build this functionality into your own applications. We previewed parts of the SDK in February through our DivX Labs website, including tools such as the Fuse sample application that were necessary to rebuild our original Last Man Standing demonstration clip. As soon as the SDK is completed it will be released through DivX Labs with a free license for non-commercial personal use. In the short term our Mac platform manager, Adrian (a.k.a. "fluffy"), is currently turning his hand towards documenting and publishing the core toolset required to produce fully featured DivX media files. It is also possible to use the new DivX Converter application to create DivX media files that feature automatically generated scene selection menus, chapter points, alternate audio tracks, multiple subtitles and video tags.

In the near future expect the following line-up:

• DivX Helium codec (Out now!)
• DivX 6 codec Beta (Macintosh OS X platform)
• DivX Media Format core tools and documentation
• DivX 6 SDK
• Support for surround sound audio

And now without further ado, on to the DivX 6 product lineup!

DivX 6 codec

The DivX 6 codec sets a new standard for DivX video quality. Working carefully within the constraints of DivX Certified device compatibility, the intrepid members of the DivX Advanced Research Centre (DARC) have significantly raised the bar over the DivX 5. The DivX 6 codec is capable of producing equivalent quality to DivX Pro 5.2.1, and DivX Pro 6 delivers at least a 20% improvement above that. The free version of DivX codec has changed such that it now produces only DivX Certified video, and we've added some nice features to the free version like bi-directional coding so that anyone can create high quality DivX Certified content. All features remain available in DivX Pro, and we're continuing the 6 month DivX Pro trial offer for everyone, which you can optionally select during installation on the Installation Components screen.

Here's a feature rundown for the tech-heads among us:

• 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
  
• 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.

The entire team would like to thank all of you who helped us with the Plasma and Fusion programs; your contributions have helped make DivX 6 what it is today. For the adventurous among you, we're keeping things rolling with DivX Helium, a future research codec which can be installed atop the DivX 6 codec to enable experimental optimizations for dual core, HyperThreaded, and SMP CPUs. For more information check our our preliminary results over at the DivX Labs website.

DivX codec is featured in the DivX 6 Create Bundle.

DivX Converter

DivX Converter is a new easy-to-use drag-and-drop application for creating DivX video. Simply drag your file onto the DivX Converter, click Convert, and you're done! DivX Converter creates files using DivX Certified profiles so they are guaranteed to play in your DivX Certified devices.

DivX Converter outputs DivX media files with various features depending on the source you want to convert:

• Using the DivX Converter MPEG-2/DVD Plug-in, you can drag-and-drop unprotected VOB files and configure which audio and subtitle tracks you would like to preserve in the DivX output. You can optionally choose to fit the output file to CD, or prepare it for a multi-file DVD (2000MB).
  
• When you drag and drop multiple files with matching resolutions and frame rates onto DivX Converter you can optionally join them together to produce a single DivX media file that includes an automatically generated scene-selection menu with chapter points.
  
• When you drag and drop one or more files onto DivX Converter you can perform batch encoding. After each file is encoded it will appear in your DivX Movies folder.

DivX Converter can convert the following file types:

• DivX 3, 4, 5, 6 (.divx, .div, .avi)
• MPEG-1 (.mpg, .mpe, .mpeg, .m1v, .dat)
• MPEG-2 (.vob, .ts, .m2v) (Requires optional DivX Converter MPEG-2/DVD Plugin)
• DV (.dv, .avi)
• AVI files (.avi)
• Windows Media Video (.wmv) (Fixed frame rate only)
• AVISynth (.avs)

*Note: You must have the proper video and audio decoders to play the file you are trying to encode.

DivX Converter is the ideal way to get started in the world of DivX and requires no technical knowledge of codecs or encoding tools. If working with DivX has always been out of your reach, give DivX Converter a spin. A free 15 day trial of both DivX Converter and the optional DivX Converter MPEG-2/DVD Plug-in are included as part of the DivX 6 Create Bundle.

DivX Converter is included in the DivX 6 Create Bundle.

DivX Player

In addition to supporting DivX 3, 4, 5 and 6 video, including DivX VOD files and services, DivX Player 6 now includes fully integrated support for the advanced features of the DivX Media Format:

• DivX Player supports DivX media files that contain multiple titles. Add special features or bonus materials to your files and experience them in all their glory.
  
• DivX Player enables direct navigation of interactive DivX menus for a true home entertainment experience.
  
• DivX Player supports up to eight subtitles per title. Language defaults can be set via the player preferences.
  
• DivX Player now supports up to eight audio tracks per title. Language defaults can be set via the player preferences.
  
• DivX Player can read and navigate chapters in a DivX media file allowing you to skip straight to your favorite parts of the movie.
  
• DivX Player can read and display video tags, providing detailed information about your favorite movies
  
• DivX Player now takes less time to load on most systems, so you can start watching all your favorite DivX movies faster than ever before.
  
• The right-click menu and user preference screens have been significantly reworked to facilitate access to DivX advanced media features, preferences and new decoder features.
  
• The DivX 6 decoder is included for improved playback performance and video quality.

DivX Player tips and tricks for the power user:

• Use the middle mouse button or mouse wheel to gain quick access to advanced features of DivX media files.
• Pressing the 'M' key allows you to jump to and from the main menu for DivX media files that include menus.
• Hidden feature: Hold Ctrl+Alt+Shift and press 'A' during playback to enable old-school ASCII rendering of your favorite movies!

DivX Player 6 is included in the DivX 6 Play Bundle and the DivX 6 Create Bundle.

The new DivX product bundles

DivX 6 is available through two new product bundles: the DivX 6 Play Bundle and the DivX 6 Create Bundle. The DivX 6 Play Bundle contains everything you need to playback all types of DivX video, including the new DivX Media Format. The DivX 6 Create Bundle contains the DivX codec and DivX Converter enabling easy creation of DivX media.

DivX Pro and DivX Converter are sold together in the DivX Create bundle - when you purchase one through DivX.com you'll get the other free.

Upgrades

Upgrading to DivX 6 is easy. Here's how it works:

• If you purchased in the last 30 days
  
  If you purchased between May 15th 2005 and June 15th 2005 we will be sending you a free serial number for DivX 6 via e-mail. DivX Pro 5 customers will receive a serial number for the DivX 6 Create Bundle, and Dr DivX customers will receive a serial number for the DivX 6 Create Bundle with MPEG-2/DVD support. DivX Pro 5 customers will be able to purchase the DivX Converter MPEG-2 DVD Plug-in at a discount price by following the instructions in the e-mail.
  
• All registered customers
  
  If you purchased before May 15th 2005 you can access upgrading pricing through our upgrade page at DivX.com. Upgrades prices are up to 75% off the regular pricing after you enter your old serial number. Our accountants wouldn't actually let us give it away for free, but this is the next best thing!

A note on supported operating systems

DivX 6 series products are unsupported on Windows 98 and Windows Millenium Edition and can not be installed on these platforms.

The doctor is out.

As we release DivX 6 to the world we also acknowledge the departure of Dr. DivX. The good doctor has moved over to private practice, servicing the stars of Hollywood, and even with good health insurance he's too expensive to put in our cart these days.

Enjoy this release,

- The DivX Team

[Cyberace]

Are there any developers out there who are interested in implementing DivX Media Format support into Xbox Media Center for us?
XboxMediaCenter (XBMC) is a free open source project, XBMC-GUI is C++/DirectX-based with a C-based MPlayer core (a/v player).
(Xbox SDK don't support DirectShow / DS-filters. XBMC decodes DivX with FFmpeg, and demux is done by MPlayer's own splitter).

PS! SLIGHTLY OFF-TOPIC: Is the DivX Media Format licence compatible with LGPL/GPL for non-commersial projects?, like MPlayer.

[Cyberace]

[EDIT:]Great performance and quality advancements in DivX 6.0!, ...though hope to see DXVA decoder support too in the future

PS! FYI, there's a interesting news piece about the new DivX 6 under top stories on Tom's Hardware Guide, go check it out!

[DigitAl56K]

As to your question on the GPL, that's a good question but I'm not actually the right person to answer it. I'll bring it up with the team in the morning and see what the consensus is

[CruNcher]

Will there be up2date Firmwares from the Chip Manufactures that support DMF for all the Players that would allow this allready today or does the customer has to buy a brandnew (only difference is the firmware) Player by the end of the year again :?

[Sharktooth]

uhm... the damn google toolbar...

[ricardo.santos]

After trying it out i'm really disapointed with divx converter not the codec itself.

we can not choose the final size, resolution, mp3 bitrate, subtitle colour and position on screen.
i havent found any of these options that i was able to choose with dr divx(except the subtitles bit that werent supported in the first place)

I wont even mention how the subtitles look on screen(are they on a diet?)

im disapointed.

nerodigital support for the above is a lot better.

hoping upgrades will fix this.

[baer999]

@ ricardo.santos: Yes I can understand, there is no possibility to change the final size or choose the options in the Divx Converter. That's very bad because not everybody can handle with VirtualDub or something like this, if i couldn't I would delete Divx right now ! So please recode your Converter, the Style is nice but too small Form and I'd like bigger Forms with more options and a Preiview Window while converting ?! About the quality of the 6th version i can't say anything at the moment, but i'll test it... What's the difference between the Helium and Divx 6 ?

[unskinnyboy]

Interesting, thanks for the info. I wonder what codec features are internally enabled/disabled across the quality profiles? Like if I choose "insane", what exactly gets enabled internally? Sorry if there was a documentation and I missed it.

[Sharktooth]

DivX Converter doesnt work with ffdshow's AC3 filter

[JasonFly]

Helium seems to be Multiprocessor or Hyperthreading optimized(P4-E, P4 dual core, AMD dualcore...)

[ricardo.santos]

"DivX Converter doesnt work with ffdshow's AC3 filter"

i had to download one from www.free-codecs.com if anyone needs one

when creating interactive menus divx converter crashed something "C ++ problem" so i cant comment on that bit.

i was waiting for divx 6 because mainly of the subs support, i dont know if any of you tried it but they are so thin, people that have a large living room i think will have some difficulty reading them, and some letters are sort of transparent.

divx 6 against divx 5 dont see a lot of difference.

i think i will stick with dr divx and srt2bmp for the subtitles.

[Touffi]

Originally Posted by DigitAl56K

It's finally here! w00t!

The free version of DivX codec has changed such that it now produces only DivX Certified video, and we've added some nice features to the free version like bi-directional coding so that anyone can create high quality DivX Certified content.

I may be dumb, but it seems to me that the free version of Divx codec is gone. Whatever I try to install, to check/uncheck during installation, what I get is always the Divx Pro evalulation. Furthermore, the Bundle Faq (http://www.divx.com/divx/bundles_faq.php) states clearly that it is not possible to create Divx with the Play bundle. And the Create Bundle is not free.

So the questions are :
1 - Is it still possible to create Divx videos for free ?
2 - If so, how do I install the free version of the codec ?
3 - What are exactly the differences between the free / the pro version ?

Thanks for the answers.

Touffi

[ricardo.santos]

Divx.com says"The DivX Create Bundle comes with a free 15-day trial of the DivX Converter and a free 6-month trial of DivX Pro. You must purchase the full DivX Create Bundle if you wish to continue using DivX Pro or the DivX Converter after your trial periods expires. The DivX Player does not expire at any time."

i guess its free for six months :-)

[Touffi]

After further investigations it seems that some features are disabled in the Divx Pro after six months, but you can still create Divx videos. And even with the features disabled, the Divx panel still shows a confusing "Divx pro" logo.

[IgorC]

I've remembered the words of Ford. Something like that - "We should hire more engineers. It's only way to bring success to our company"
In this case it's too late.

[Gej]

CruNcher: Firmware update to support the DivX Media Format: It’s up to the manufacturer, we have a put together a new level of certification “DivX Ultra” and we allow the manufacturer to provide upgrade for players already in the field. Keep in mind that most of the manufacturers de not have an ongoing firmware development effort for existing products. Contact you manufacturer to make sure he know that you want DivX Media Format on existing devices !

All: Converter: If you know how to use advanced applications, are very at ease with Gordian Knot or Virtual Dub then the Converter is clearly not for you guys; it has been designed to be an extremely easy to use application, not a advanced one. Plus this is the very first release; we are definitely going to listen to everyone concern and feature request and make the next version much more attractive from a advanced used point of view.

All: New Encoding mode: The insane Mode enable Rate Distortion decisions, for ALL blocks (P frames, B frames, I frames), this mode also enables some motion estimation fine tuning. This mode is definitely worth it IMHO. It create significantly better visual quality, more texture sharpness and less block. I strongly advise you to try it (in conjunction with h263 optimized quantization, which is Rate Distortion tweak at the quantization level), check the PSNR and compare it to DivX 5.2.1 or XviD…

All: AC3 filter in Converter: Try that http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q...=Google+Search

All: The Helium Codec is a DivX 6.0 version optimized for multi-thread CPU, there are some minor bugs in it, but it’s already very stable, check the DivX Labs web site http://labs.divx.com/archives/000055.html for more information. I’m sure you guys will like the “settings” tab !

[Ice =A=]

Well, there seem to be no enhancements in the DEcoder imho, in fact it seems just to be the old one from 5.2.1. Well, you can't have everything I guess...

Does anyone know the difference between "h263 Optimal" and "h263"?

Edit:
Great that there is a multi processor version in developement, too! I can't wait for my new processor!
Will multi CPU support be in the codec itself (and work with all kinds of encoding programs using that codec) or do we have to use some special encoding program for that?

Edit2:
Can all DivX6-Videos (encoded without a menu structure) be played with DivX5.2.1-Decoder, too?

[Gej]

Decoder: there are *tons* of improvement in the decoder the largest one being the support of the DivX Media Format form most of Directshow based player. On a more technical side, there are quality and speed improvements to the post processing (and no it’s not the generic MPEG4 post processing)

Helium: Any encoding application will be able to take advantage of the multi thread capable Helium Codec.

DivX Media Format: All legacy decoder (DivX 5.2.1, FFMPEG and other) can decode DivX 6 video with and without menu structure. If a menu is present only the main feature will play, but none of the existing decoder should break

[ricardo.santos]

Hi Gej, you said:
"All: Converter: If you know how to use advanced applications, are very at ease with Gordian Knot or Virtual Dub then the Converter is clearly not for you guys; it has been designed to be an extremely easy to use application, not a advanced one. Plus this is the very first release; we are definitely going to listen to everyone concern and feature request and make the next version much more attractive from a advanced used point of view."

since when can we create subtitles (Xsub switchable) with gordian knot or virtual dub?!