DivX Pro 5.2, DivX 5.2, Dr DivX 1.0.5, and DivX Player 2.5.4 released!

[nicco]

The 5.2 decoder corrects a small issue that can cause blocks to be displayed along high-contrast edges in the picture, mainly affecting anime content. Watch Pokémon as it was meant to be viewed once again!

Great! I have this problem with 5.1.1 and it's not a small isuue, it's terrible! Does 5.2 correct this problem in 5.1.1-encoded-video playback too?
I'll try 5.2 as soon as I can..

[Sharktooth]

It should.

[bond]

Originally posted by Sharktooth
Im asking myself why DivX network opted for MPEG matrix ONLY.
Since the code is able to work with Quantization Matrices (H.263 is not a quantization matrix) why the heck is there only the MPEG matrix?
Ok, 5.2 is a nice codec but a better CQM support as in XVID is needed.there is a difference between mpeg and custom quants!
afaik with custom quants the used matrix is stored in the stream, but with mpeg its only signaled to decoder that it uses the default mpeg matrix

also i assume that dxn didnt hesitated to add custom quants as some "divx players" have problems with some custom matrices
i assume thats also the reason why they didnt use packed bitstream for there multiple b-frames mode (some players have problems with packed bitstream on more than 1 b-vops too)

Originally posted by LostMP4
I guess that option refers only to MPEG-4 not DivX encoded videos (3ivx, Xvid, Nero Digital...)just to make sure that everyone knows it: divx5 is mpeg-4 compliant, just as 3ivx, xvid, nd, etc... too

Originally posted by CruNcher
Banner Ads == artwork ???
i only say "BannerAdXML":eek:

[DigitAl56K]

Lol, hey folks. A little background for you:

Product manager (me): "Please build us a system for switching out the artwork in the codec gui, and make it clickable so it can go to web pages. Kind of like a banner ad system..."

Engineer: "OK!"

A few months later, we got exactly what we asked for: A system for switching out the artwork in the codec gui, kind of like a banner ad system. In fact, a little too like a banner ad system, a.k.a. the XML file name :) Unfortunately, I only realised this after CruNcher pointed it out, DOH!!

This is my first time as a product manager, I need a little bit of a break here folks ;) lol

Rest assured there will be no third-party advertising in the codec, and if you're still unsure, you can turn off ALL artwork rotation in the codec settings, but we do plan to have some cool stuff here :)

[Millenod]

@DigitAl56K

Another bug with Dr-Divx (please refer to the wishes\list above) :
I start the software for the second time, and the button "15 day trial extension" is grayed :confused:
Very nice for a second test...

Well, I can't tell you exactly the bug :
- choose the crop size.
- modify settings
=> my personal crop settings are lost :scared:

[Sharktooth]

Originally posted by bond
there is a difference between mpeg and custom quants!
afaik with custom quants the used matrix is stored in the stream, but with mpeg its only signaled to decoder that it uses the default mpeg matrix
Yes, i know the difference... what i'm trying to say is if the encoder part can "use" the mpeg matrix, could "use" any other matrix too...
Adding the ability to distinguish the MPEG matrix from a custom matrix and eventually add it to the stream is 5 mins of coding...
Originally posted by bond
also i assume that dxn didnt hesitated to add custom quants as some "divx players" have problems with some custom matrices
i assume thats also the reason why they didnt use packed bitstream for there multiple b-frames mode (some players have problems with packed bitstream on more than 1 b-vops too)
Thats not a problem coz they could have added some other and better matrices (choosen by their engineers to ensure standalones compatibility) to the dropdown list.
However a better compromise can be reached by enabling MPEG and H.263 if any of the profiles are selected and enabling custom matrices if no profiles are selected...
For what concerns the multiple B-Frames i would have put the same restrictions as above... enable them only if no profile is selected.
PB enabled with profiles, PB disabled whithout profiles...

[Sharktooth]

Originally posted by Millenod
@DigitAl56K

Another bug with Dr-Divx (please refer to the wishes\list above) :
I start the software for the second time, and the button "15 day trial extension" is grayed :confused:
Very nice for a second test...

Well, I can't tell you exactly the bug :
- choose the crop size.
- modify settings
=> my personal crop settings are lost :scared:
Yes there are some bugs in the GUI...
If you play with settings (resize on/off, remove black bars on/off) you could end with unpredictable results :confused:

[Sharktooth]

@exiztone: disable post processing in the DivX decoder settings.

[Sharktooth]

Dunno, but i keep it always disabled because i dont need it for my encodings and it hurts the CPU usage and sometimes (depends on the CPU load) the playback.

[RadicalEd]

My "Registration license for EKG Application is not valid."

Running the DivX 5.2 Pro trial version.
:/

[CiTay]

Originally posted by exiztone
Hey, that's much better, thanks. But, with DivX 5.1.1 I was able to use post-processing. How come I can't with this version? :(
My system specs aren't bad or anything.

Go to DivX decoding options and configure like this:
[x] Smooth playback
[ ] Yuv extended mode
[x] Overlay extended mode
[x] Double buffering
[x] Disable logo
[x] Support generic MPEG-4

You can also try using a decent player like Media Player Classic (http://sourceforge.net/project/showfiles.php?group_id=82303&package_id=84358).

[Millenod]

no lag with MPC, one of the best player...

[niamh]

hhhmm DivX is trying to phone home through gordian knot too, that's quite devious methinks...

And the disabling of most of the various annoyances is well hidden in the gui down in settings, but that's fair enough in a way for a commercial product :D .Is there a way to disable that rotating thing at the top? I feel cross eyed already :)

[DigitAl56K]

Turn off the option to automatically check for updates in the codec settings. It's not all that devious if you want to be notified when updates are available ;)

Sidenote: All update checks are done client-side, no configuration information is sent to DivX.

[niamh]

it's just a matter of principle, not actual paranoia, but to be fair , to get the chance to turn the thing off, you have to install it first ...that's devious ;)

[ookzDVD]

Is there available the DivX 5.2 "codec only" installation package,
the official download file is about 7 MB which contain the player.

I think they should release the "lite" version which contain the
codec only. :)

Thank you.

[nicco]

I agree with you!
I have new questions:

in 5.1.1 I can do all but the last pass in standard mode then the last pass in slow mode, in 5.2 I can obviously do the same, but can I do all but the last pass in fast mode?

Why there is no more the slowest option?

[Sharktooth]

Coz slowest mode was extremely too slow and the gain in quality was near to zero.

[Arcon]

Originally posted by Sharktooth
Since the code is able to work with Quantization Matrices (H.263 is not a quantization matrix) why the heck is there only the MPEG matrix?
it's a bit OT but i'd really like to know why h.263 is no quantization matrix? how does it work if it doesn't use a qm? maybe you could give me some hints where i can find some more infos on that matter.

[Nazgul]

Originally posted by Arcon
it's a bit OT but i'd really like to know why h.263 is no quantization matrix? how does it work if it doesn't use a qm? maybe you could give me some hints where i can find some more infos on that matter.

There's no need for a matrix because H.263 quantization is not weighted toward high- or low-frequency details. All the values of the matrix would be identical.

[Sharktooth]

h.263 is a "way to quantize". the specs are in the mpeg standard. if you search the web or the forums you can find much more details.

[Soulhunter]

Originally posted by Arcon
...maybe you could give me some hints where i can find some more infos on that matter. Look here... (http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?s=&postid=468911#post468911) ;)


Bye

[AmigaFuture]

@DigitAl56K

Does the Philips DVP 642 support AVI files with 2 or more AC3 tracks?

How does the player handle skipping through the Video? Does it only support FF/REW or does it handle seeking, etc?

Thanks ahead of time.

[DarkWave]

Originally posted by DPR
What happened to the good old motion vector file ? It seems that the feature is again unavailable. Can't find any information about the feature being removed or deactivated on the offical DivX page.

BTW: some german translations are horrible ! I don't recommend using the german version ... some descriptions are confusing and only lead to misunderstandings.

I'm momentarily testing the new version and it seems that it's great ! :)
No answer yet. I'd like to know this, too...

DarkWave

[DigitAl56K]

http://support.divx.com/cgi-bin/divx.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=801

You will probably recieve better performance and better quality by using the new Fast mode than you would have with the MV file.

[SeeMoreDigital]

Originally posted by AmigaFuture
@DigitAl56K

Does the Philips DVP 642 support AVI files with 2 or more AC3 tracks?

How does the player handle skipping through the Video? Does it only support FF/REW or does it handle seeking, etc?

Thanks ahead of time. It might also be worth pointing out that the Philips DVP630 is the European equivalent of the player.


Cheers

[AmigaFuture]

@SeeMoreDigital

Originally posted by SeeMoreDigital
It might also be worth pointing out that the Philips DVP630 is the European equivalent of the player.
"DivX Certified DVD Players now in stores" at the top of the thread which lists the available in U.S. & Europe.

Does anyone have experience with the Philips DVP 642 in the U.S.? I'd love to get one but I'd like some info 1st.

@DigitAl56K

Since you posted the info...could you lend a hand? Thanks.

[eLeKtriK EyE]

I can't get the register application started. I run the .exe file and it does nothing. Am I doing sth wrong or is the file corrupted?

[SeeMoreDigital]

Originally posted by SeeMoreDigital
What happens if you choose to delete all the folders except the DivX folder in Program Files?

Will you prying-ware still try to phone home?Originally posted by DigitAl56K
You can disable rotating artwork and auto-update in the codec settings. There is a checkbox there for each.

You don't need to delete any files, and the codec will only check for banners and updates when the configuration GUI is open. Like I say, we don't use anything more complex than a simple hit counter :) Well I decided to delete the folders and their corresponding registry entries...

DivX5.2.0 still functions...


Cheers

[DigitAl56K]

Originally posted by AmigaFuture
@SeeMoreDigital


"DivX Certified DVD Players now in stores" at the top of the thread which lists the available in U.S. & Europe.

Does anyone have experience with the Philips DVP 642 in the U.S.? I'd love to get one but I'd like some info 1st.

@DigitAl56K

Since you posted the info...could you lend a hand? Thanks.

Sure, take a look here:
http://forums.divx.com/viewtopic.php?page=1&start=0&topic=58271&forum=21

Remember that after you buy a player, you should check the manufacturers website to get the latest firmware for the best experience.

[AmigaFuture]

@DigitAl56K

Thanks. I'm reading now for muli-AC3 (2 or more & switching ability) support with an AVI. Subtitle (.srt) support as well.

[AmigaFuture]

Hm...I read nothing about multiple audio (AC3) support. It does seem that some of the players are having audio sync problems which isn't good. Multi-Switchable-while-playing AC3 support in an AVI is important to me. I do not use MP3 when I backup my movies because MP3 is lossy compression & that doesn't make sense to me because AC3 (2.0 & 5.1) uses lossy compression also. For me, 320kbit is sweet, for music, but 128kbit I can really hear the loss.

The player is getting really great reviews, & that's cool but if AVI with AC3 playback is limited to 1 AC3 track then it's not worth it to me yet (because I backup commentaries), there would have to be no audio sync problems as well.

I'm betting that if you play a DivX encoded AVI with AC3 sound on a DVD+/-RW that it would play without audio sync problems? You posted that DVDs are recommended, & it seems that most people are using 700MB CDs which was not recommended. Am I folling all of this corrctly so far?

Also, it DOES play DivX encoded 704xXXX with the backbars just as it does with MPC (Media Player Classic)? In other words, it does not convert it down to 480x480, correct?

These things are important to me before I hand over hard-earned money. :)

[Spotpuff]

Is there a way to make FFDSHOW play divx 5.2 content?

I got DIVX to stop playing my XVID finally, but what about DivX? I prefer FFDShow's controls to DivX.

[AmigaFuture]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but FFDShow is meant to be used in conjunction with MPC (Media Player Classic) & the like, right? As a video is playing just right click on the movie & you pick Filters from there & adjust options.
It's not a stand-alone player.

[Spotpuff]

Originally posted by AmigaFuture
Correct me if I'm wrong, but FFDShow is meant to be used in conjunction with MPC (Media Player Classic) & the like, right? As a video is playing just right click on the movie & you pick Filters from there & adjust options.
It's not a stand-alone player.

You're correct, I did mean play divx content in MPC with the FFDSHOW filter... that's the problem I'm having now, DivX content is STILL playing with the DivX filter.

FFDSHOW is already set to play DivX content using the libavec codec... but divx 5.2 is taking over :T
I can play xvid content fine.

[AmigaFuture]

@Spotpuff

I don't know the libavec codec, so I'm unable to help with that. I JUST installed the new DivX 5.2 recently, so I don't know yet. However I'd say check your FFDShow config (from the StartMenu/Program Files). Heh, ATM that's the best help I can offer until I play with it more.

[Spotpuff]

Originally posted by AmigaFuture
@Spotpuff

I don't know the libavec codec, so I'm unable to help with that. I JUST installed the new DivX 5.2 recently, so I don't know yet. However I'd say check your FFDShow config (from the StartMenu/Program Files). Heh, ATM that's the best help I can offer until I play with it more.

FFDShow is a set of filters that will play xvid/divx (and a bunch of other stuff) that MPC wouldn't normally handle on its own (if it doesn't have a filter to handle the content).

FOr example, MPC can't handle XVID/DIVX by itself , so you install those filters yourself.

FFDShow uses the libavec codec to play xvid/divx (and some others), rather than xvid/divx.

[Spotpuff]

Problem fixed; just needed to update FFDSHOW to 20040718 version.

Apparently DX 5.2 has very high 'Merit" and takes over, so FFDSHOW updated to fix that.

[Brother John]

if you don't want to use the DivX decoder unregister divxdec.ax.
regsvr32.exe /u divxdec.ax
This should prevent DivX from decoding anything.

[DigitAl56K]

Originally posted by eLeKtriK EyE
I can't get the register application started. I run the .exe file and it does nothing. Am I doing sth wrong or is the file corrupted?

This means you're already registered.

[bond]

ffdshow has nothing directly to do with mpc...
mpc is a player using the directshow codec interface, just like many other players including bsplayer, zoomplayer and even the windows media player

[AmigaFuture]

@Spotpuff

Glad you got it worked out. :)

@bond

Yeah, I know that. I didn't have a lot of time when I wrote that so I didn't make it clear. Thanks for doing so.

[sterlina]

Originally posted by DigitAl56K
This means you're already registered.
well... how about making on the next update a small box appears with something like "DivX is already registred on this computer" instead of just closing the application? The fact that if the .exe doesn't opens it means that you're registred is not so obvious
¤ster¤

[DigitAl56K]

Good call, I meant to have that done for 5.2, infact. I'll see what we can do ;)

[Cyberman]

Originally posted by CruNcher
On wich marketing School you graduated DigitAl56K ?

Banner Ads == artwork ???

Where did you read that a Banner MUST be an Ad? A banner could just as well be a mere picture, with no message at all.

But indeed, it´s probably a way of DivXNetworks to keep a place for potential advertisments...

[edit]Or it´s not, just read the explanation. Well, could have been.

[SeeMoreDigital]

I really don't like this banner feature at all, what ever it's eventual intension's are!

Correct me if I'm wrong but has anybody else noticed how slow the DivX5.2.0 codec is to load (much slower than previous versions). Could the reason for this be because it's reporting in and looking for a new banner????

Personally, I've had enough... DivX5.2.0 has been deleted from my system and no DivX encoder is not going to be re-installed until DNX get their act together and stop believing their own hype!

Sorry to come on so strong... but that's the way I feel :(


Cheers

[V-tec]

Originally posted by SeeMoreDigital

Correct me if I'm wrong but has anybody else noticed how slow the DivX5.2.0 codec is to load (much slower than previous versions). Could the reason for this be because it's reporting in and looking for a new banner????

I have noticed the same thing, if you deactivate the autoupdate the codec loads faster, but there are something strange, the first time that the compression tab of vdub is opened, the codec list freeze for some secods, the other times load faster.

that is strange is the fact that all other codec opens instantly, also when a job list is started from job to job there a pause for various seconds... what happens during this time?

I have noticed that with 5.11 version but with 5.2 that is more noticeable.


sorry for my maccaroni english...

[niamh]

Unfortunately I've done the same as you SeeMore, mainly after having to unregister divdec to let ffdshow do the job(to be fair, the divx decoder is more pleasing to the eye anyway) , and having to reinstall my codecs and my players after re-registering the ax. 5.1.1 is as much as I can take ,mostly since I hardly ever use it.
I will look forward to a DivX that doesn't try to bully me and my system.

[Piper]

Firstly, congrats to DivXNetworks on the new release - I'm in agreement with the 6 months trial for the Pro version is indeed a positive step.

I'd like to post some comments regarding the current state of MPEG-4 encoding - specifically in reference to where DivX and XviD relate to each other.

As I can only speak for how I encode video, here's a bit of background on myself. I've been encoding video for about four years now and have spent a great deal of time with various codecs, filters and processing using avisynth. The vast majority of my encoding is done on analogue sources whether it's tv caps, or from VHS. I'm by no means an expert when it comes to the detailed specifics of what makes an encoder great, but I am a seasoned user and can achieve reliable results with a variety of codecs.

Up until XviD 1.0 was released, I either used DivX for CD storage or to MPEG-2 on DVD. With XviD 1.0.x I've since found my incentive to continue to use DivX has decreased dramatically. That doesn't mean I don't have concerns about XviD, far from it, but from a quality perspective (my primary motive) XviD serves me fine and is now my MPEG-4 codec of choice.

My intention here isn't to start another XviD vs DivX discussion but rather to point out how my usage habits have changed in recent months. It leaves me wondering if others are finding themselves in similar circumstances. If this is the case then I would agree that DivX has some ground to catch up on - at least with the geeks anyway. ;)

Where DivXNetworks does do well (or at least better than the XviD camp) IMHO is to project their product to more of a mainstream audience. This is an area where I believe XviD could really use some polish if they want to excel outside the existing community. Why they can't provide binaries for a supposedly legal Open Source codec would be a place to start. Casual users coming to xvid.org looking for a way to play a file they downloaded off the internet are only going to be scared away when they A) can't find binaries (if they even know to look for them) B) have to search elsewhere when the hosting site itself won't provide binaries for "legal reasons". This too has been discussed elsewhere and doesn't need much more rehashing here.

Regardless of what codec you use, I'm sure it can be agreed we con tinute to live in interesting times. Competition is always a good thing and the current positive state of things is due in large part to DivXNetworks. I for one thank them for that as much as I do for the codec itself. :)

[Taurus]

Just yesterday I decided to give new Divx encoder a shot.
Installed it, and Wow! my firewall gets nagged.
Without even starting the installed application it wanted to phone home.
Next, when starting the encoder via VirtualdubMod, Bam! The firewall gets annoyed by VirtualdubMod trying to access the internet.
During opening the compression tab in VirtualdubMod it took a half minute to open it. Same,when choosing Divx 5.2 as encoder, half a minute to wait.
So finaly doing an encode, just using standard settings, it was sloooow as hell.
Tried several times with short clips, disabled all phone home settings I came across in the GUI.
Ok, tried to view the encoded clip in MediaPlayerClassic.
First thing I encountered was, that the Divx Decoder took over my settings. Used to decode with ffdshow.
No chance, had to update ffdshow first.
Visual appearance so lala, I mean, couldn't get any Wow! or Great! out of my first impressions.
So I decided to uninstall Divx 5.2 because I forgot to uninstall 5.11 primary to 5.2. Cleaned up the registry. Doing another fresh install
of the new codec. Same things happening as described in the first lines of this post. Only difference: A warning, telling me that I got only 15 days left for a try out.
So after same procedure like mentioned above, I finaly did some other encodes, slow as hell, no visual benefits compared with 5.11.

Did the same on an old Win98 machine, nagnagnag. All symptoms like mentioned above.
I'm really pi...off. Maybe I missed something. But even the MS stuff doesn't give you so much hazzle to setup your encode and decode.

Switched back to Divx 5.11 or better to XVID (which I almost always use).

This are my 2 Cents.
Forgive me, if this post is much to long, but who pays me the hours I spent to keep this thingy working right (as I understand it)?

Cheers

Taurus