Divx4/5 DirectShow (In)Compatibilities?

[zettai]

Hi All,

Is there any documentation anywhere listing which XviD encoding options are incompatible with the divx playback filter?

I know the obvious resonse is "don't use the divx playback filter" but when encoding video for other people compatibility and accessibility is paramount. I'm sure this is to become more of a concern with new features being implemented.

Also, I was curious as to exactly why thse features are incompatible - is the divx directshow filter is broken? Would it be feasible to develop XviD with a divx compatibility mode to overcome these? Well, those questions are for a different discussion I guess, right now I'd just like to claify what does and doesn't work with the divx direct show filter.

[Nic]

MPEG quant doesn't work, bframes work, qpel doesnt work.

Other stuff like interlaced mode, etc. I wouldn't try. But people can just download mine or Koepi's build to play XviD videos. its easier than installing a DivX5 bundle or getting DivX4. type xvid in google & my site should be about the third one down :) so people should be able to use XviD without making it a DivX fourcc.

-Nic

[zettai]

Well, the main issue is not the availability, it's the fact that people don't necessarily like having to download lots of codecs. Divx is something lots of people have, XviD isn't. Likewise XviD is a development codec (as is the playback filter) and DivX isn't and there are obvious benefits in encoding something in a way that you can guarantee to work with what someone has.

Also, with no offense to your excellent filter Nic, I do find the Divx filter faster in my experience, which is a bonus for me personally.

Anyway, thanks for the info - it's a shame about qpel not working, but at least b-frames will be a useful bonus.

[Smiff]

tell 'em to get ffdshow... does everything, don't need any codecs. yeah it's more complex at first, but they'll thank you for it in the long run... that or they're too lazy to bother with :)

[zettai]

Well, given the main reason for not using the XVID fourcc is that people don't like downloading lots of codecs then I think the same problem applies to ffdshow because it is more than likely that people will have DivX already.

That and it's not exactly user friendly for those who dont really know or care what a direct show filter is.

[Smiff]

exactly, they can download one thing (ffdshow) and it plays all their MPEG4 video... its no harder than installing DivX. People can't expect to install _nothing_ at all, that's just... unreasonable.

Disclaimer: i'm not pimping ffdshow, i just think there's a point below which you shouldn't pander to people... trying to over-simplify (example: changing the FourCC) will result in them not being able to troubleshoot for themselves.

[Teegedeck]

Well, as I would think it neccessary to let people know that the file can be watched with DivX installed but was actually encoded in XviD - and this would really confuse them - I'd find it much easier to tell them to simply download that TINY installer!