New Divx 6 Release - will our players now be obsolete?

[stim141]

Just saw this in Tom's Hardware regarding the new Divx 6 format:

http://www.tomshardware.com/hardnews/20050615_010321.html

Seems promising but will our Divx 5 format players now be obsolete or could they be eventually upgraded via firmware? Seems like a major revision.

[mats.hogberg]

I wouldn't worry - I still have a VHS player, and that's not obsolete (for playing VHS tapes)...

/Mats

[absinthecarolinas]

I don't think they're going to be obsolete anytime soon. This is especially true if you use XviD, as I do. The DivX 6 specs indicate that the codec itself produces video "carefully within the constraints of DivX Certified device compatibility."

As for the new "format" (DivX media, with a *.div or *.divx extension), I see no reason why the video and audio within would not still be standalone-compliant. If players won't deal with the *.divx files, it probably won't be long before we see a tool that will demux those files and we can put it in an *avi.

-abs

[celtic_druid]

Well the codec is still ASP MPEG-4 and the profiles haven't changed. Also since their container is based on avi, all current players should play it back fine, simply ignoring anything that isn't supported.

All current certfied devices are supposed to already support xsubs and multiple audio streams. Also they are all supposed to be firmware upgradable to support the other features like menus.

[junkmalle]

Well the codec is still ASP MPEG-4 and the profiles haven't changed. Also since their container is based on avi, all current players should play it back fine, simply ignoring anything that isn't supported.

Should is the operative word here.

All current certfied devices are supposed to already support xsubs and multiple audio streams. Also they are all supposed to be firmware upgradable to support the other features like menus.

Most manufactures of one or two year old devices aren't likely to provide updated firmware. They're interested in selling new hardware, not making their old hardware work better. It's too bad they don't make the firmware open source...

[ricardouk]

According to what ive read so far here and at other sites divx 6 video and xsub will are compatible with divx players now available, the only thing not supported at the moment are divx interactive menus, divx networks says divx players will be out at the end of 2005 that can read them.

if we make a divx file with menu only the video part of the divx file will be playable.


i just tested the new divx converter and first impressions are not so good.

[celtic_druid]

Can't see any reason why if MS's avi parser can handle divx files that a hardware player couldn't.

A lot of the firmware work is done by the chipset maker. No point in a whole lot of manufactures doing the same work.

You left out chapters. I don't think that they are supported yet either.

HD support, WMV9 support, AVC support, Nero Digital support, etc. There are still plenty of reasons to sell new hardware.

[ricardouk]

HD support, WMV9 support, AVC support, Nero Digital support, etc. There are still plenty of reasons to sell new hardware.

What do u mean Celtic_druid, sorry my english sometimes fails me.[/quote]

[jman98]

ricardouk - celtic_druid's comments are inresponse to the post by junkmalle. celtic_druid is saying that there are other media formats that future DVD players can support that are not commonly available now.

[ricardouk]

Thanks jman98.

lets see if the nero digital gets to Europe soon, this last release of divx left me very disapointed.

nero has it all except for dvd/divx players support over here.

[celtic_druid]

Looks like DXN have created a new DivX ultra certification (for menu, etc. support) and it is optional for manufactures to update older models.

Still at least with MTK based players hacked firmwares may be possible players that aren't updated.

Looks like the Targa DP-5100x, Pioneer 470/575 and possibly LG 8900P already support the new features.