AVI and DIVX confusion

[The Lizard]

I keep reading peoples post and they refer to avi files and divx files as the same type of file. Is that true? I thought I could play avi files on Windows Media Player but not divx files on WMP until I downloaded the divx codec. That makes them seem like different file types to me, but as you can see, I am just a newbie. Would someone please clarify this for me. Thanks.

[Treebeard]

a Divx file is a avi file just a different type of compression in the video.

[Tommyknocker]

Okay, try this analogy: AVI is a state, any state. DivX is California. Most states do not border on the Pacific Ocean, but California is one that does.

Ipso facto, AVI is a type of video file. DivX is a type of AVI video file format(s).

Any clearer? 8)

[kitty]

But Oregon borders the Pacific Ocean too - is it XivD or something?

[Tommyknocker]

Kitty:
DivX 3, 4, 5, etc. That is why I said "California is ONE that does." Please help him to understand, and not to confuse him further.

[The Lizard]

That makes some sense. If Divx is a type of AVI, what other types of AVI files are there? Also, when I capture DV from my camcorder, what type of AVI file is that? Is one type of AVI format better than the others?

[Tommyknocker]

It really all depends on what you prefer. Some people would sacrifice quality for disk space. Others feel quality is the only divining rod. Anyway, go to Comparisons at left to compare between formats.

[The Lizard]

The comparisons screen definitely helps me compare, but where does AVI files fit in that comparison. I noticed it mentions in the testing that they use an uncompressed avi file. Does that mean it is the same size as the DV on the tape (@215 MB per second)?

[Tommyknocker]

I never saved an full minute of uncompressed AVI. But as you can see, DivX can give great results, and does not gobble up disk space.

[k4kman]

This has been very helpfull but I find alot of Divx stuff and would like to know if there is an easy way to convert to (S)VCD... all the instructions and FAQ I find on this is very hard to do things like remove the wav then convert rejoin split and all that is there not a single program that can take a divx file and make two or more mpg files?

Yep i'm a newbe if i'm missing something please just let me know