Divx DVD players

[greer1988]

My knowledge on video is quite good but i am about to take a step into the unknown.

I have always wanted a dvd player with divx, but never did, now with a broken DVD player i decided it was time to get get into Divx.

I have lots of AVI files aswel as mpeg that i am going to put to DVD, but just wondering the way that it works with different codecs and everything, can you update codecs? is there a converter that will change any type of video file to the codec that will work on the player?

any help will be gratefully recieved. Plus if anyone can recommend a good divx/dvd player with 5.1 sound?

Thanks

[MJA]

if money isn't an issue check the oppo 980

http://www.oppodigital.com/dv980h/default.asp

or just get the Philips 5982 for $59

"I have lots of AVI files aswel as mpeg that i am going to put to DVD, but just wondering the way that it works with different codecs and everything, can you update codecs? is there a converter that will change any type of video file to the codec that will work on the player"

some one else with more knowledge about this will answer this part

[redwudz]

Most Divx players will also play Xvids, as well as MPEG DVDs. But the Divx/Xvids need to be compatible with some 'standards'. This thread describes them: https://forum.videohelp.com/topic335362.html#1742222

For DVD to Divx/Xvid, AutoGK, FairUse Wizard are a couple of converters that should produce compliant video. There are others that also should produce compliant video. Some here: https://www.videohelp.com/tools/sections/dvd-to-avi-divx-xvid

For one of the best players for Divx, look to Oppo: http://www.oppodigital.com/

[jagabo]

dvd player with divx... just wondering the way that it works with different codecs and everything, can you update codecs?

All that I know of use a hardware MPEG4 decoder chip so you cannot update codecs. They do come out with firmware updates that fix bugs and sometimes add new features.

is there a converter that will change any type of video file to the codec that will work on the player?

Many. AutoGK, AVIRecomp, VirtualDub (and variats), Divx Converter, Super, TMPGEnc DVD Author, etc.

can recommend a good divx/dvd player with 5.1 sound?

The Philips DVP-5960 is similar to the 5982 but without 1080p output. These do have some quirks but that's true of most of the Divx/DVD players. There are many threads here regarding the Philips players.

I've seen at least one person say that the RCA DRC285 is better (and cheaper) than the Philips 5960/5982.

[Krispy Kritter]

If the primary use of the player is for DVD and you have a quality TV with HDMI/DVI, take a look at the Oppo 971H (or one of the newer models). Top rated player for video quality, supports upconversion, and is Divx certified. I have been extremely happy with mine, and it often plays files my Philips 642 can't handle. Well worth the money if you are serious about DVD/video.

[jman98]

Although I own the Philips DVP-642 and it's worked fine for me for over 3 years now, I really don't recommend this player due to quirks and some quality control issues. Any of Philips other players would be better or I'd just go with Oppo if I wanted some of the other cool features they have on their players.

Note that because as jagabo says a DVD player that plays Divx/Xvid needs a special hardware chip for playback, no standalone player will play everything. Any of the following Divx/Xvid settings may or may not pose playback problems. If you don't have these, you'll be fine. If you do have some of these, you'll have to test your player to see if it will let you play discs that have these. These problematic things are:
1) QPel (Quarter Pixel)
2) GMC
3) Packed bitstream (usually an issue only on older model players like the Philips DVP-642)
4) Video bit rates higher than 2000 Kbps. If you use DTS sound with your Divx/Xvid files, you may need to get the video bit rate a lot lower than 2000 Kbps or you'll have audio problems on playback.
5) Resolutions greater than 720x576.