Newbie ? - Diff between avi and divx

[divija]

A newbie question.

what is the difference between divx and avi format ? I see some files with just avi extension and some with both divx.avi extension.

Is there any difference when encoding the 2 types ?

[Supernova 2k]

Theres not such thing as .Divx (i think) But there is .Avi
Yes there are DivX files but they all end in .avi
DivX is usually VERY good quality!

Much as i know lol, not alot!

[Solnzevo]

Hard to explain - avi is a file format that contains information that might be coded with different encoders. difX is one of them. So an avi contains a description which audio/video codec is to decode plus the content. Thats why sometimes there is need to install new codecs or why an avi could be played and another not if the codec is missing.

[spidey]

Simply put

an avi is a type of video file (active video interleave I think ??)

DivX is an Mpeg 4 variant video codec. DivX may be used to encode / decode video files (in avi format)

You can use any variety of video codecs for avi encode / decoding......others include Indeo, Huffyuv, etc. etc...... DivX is simply one of them

[Akai Rounin]

A Codec for Every AVI...

If you are downloading video from the internet, sometimes the people who made the file will put a tagline in to describe the content, like so:

snoop_dog_presents_doggystyle_mpegV4.avi

or

snoop_dog_presents_doggystyle_divx.avi

Some people might decide to leave out such descriptions:

snoop_dog_presents_doggystyle.avi

As Solnzevo mentioned, an AVI file can be encoded with many different codecs. Some may already be on your computer, like Cinepak or Indeo. Others though, like Sorenson, MPEGV4 or DivX 5.02 need to be downloaded or installed as part of an application program. Just recognize the notations on files so tht you know which codec is needed to view it. Check the OTHER | Tools section of this site to download any needed codecs or learn where to find them.

Unta Glebin Gloutin Globin,

Akai Rounin, The Cyber Sage

[Wizard Zorander]

Actually there is a .divx file format. The only difference between it and an .avi file encoded with a DivX codec is that you can set it to be opened in a different program from all your other AVI files. I use it so that all my DivX files are opened with BS playa, while the regular avis (cinepak etc.) are opened with windows media player.

[Solnzevo]

Actually there is a .divx file format. The only difference between it and an .avi file encoded with a DivX codec is that you can set it to be opened in a different program from all your other AVI files. I use it so that all my DivX files are opened with BS playa, while the regular avis (cinepak etc.) are opened with windows media player.

its not a file format than - the only thin you tell is using the suffix to link with an playa.

[KingJohn]

.divx is made with the Divx 5 codec

[Solnzevo]

but that doesn't explain if its an own format or identical to avi, just with a divx suffix!