|
|
DivX
|
| |
|
| |
|
What is DivX?
DivX is the name given to a video codec
(a piece of software encoding and decoding
video) and is based on the MPEG-4 compression
format. MPEG-4 is a new standard of video
compression that is both high quality and
low bitrate. They are usually only a fraction
of the size of a standard DVD, even at 640x480
resolutions, making them the best home video
format so far. They only take half the time
to encode, and yet at the same time are
smaller in size than MPEG-1 - due to their
incredible compression technology - some
have even called MPEG-4 the "MP3 of
the video world". A DivX-compressed
movie is about 8 to 12 times smaller than
a DVD and ranges from 400 to 750 megabytes,
which would enable it to be copied onto
a single CD. |
| |
|
What is a "Codec"
and why do I need it?
The word codec is short for compressor/decompressor.
When you install a video codec on your computer,
what you really are doing is giving windows
media player instructions how to compress/decompress
movies in that file format. If the needed
codec is missing you will receive an error
message that windows media player is unable
to download an appropriate decompressor.
Without the correct codec installed, you
will not be able to play the video. |
| |
|
| Is it possible
to play DivX movies in a DVD player?
Some newer players support divx but most
do not.
You can get a list of players and where
to buy them at
divx-xvid-players.co.uk
|
| |
|
What Software
do I needed to play DivX movies in Windows?
In order to play DivX movies you need to
install the DivX codec, DirectX and a media
player which supports the codec. We recommend
using Windows Media Player to play DivX
movies. |
| |
|
Where can I
download Divx Movies from the Internet?
You can spend forever hunting on the internet
searching for DivX movies, however, the
only things that you tend to come across
are warez, popup banners, and sites that
take you round and round in circles. The
best way is to use some kind of file sharing
program eg:- Morpheus
to download your movies. Bear in mind
the size of them and if you only have a
standard 56k Modem connection then it can
take a fair while. If you have the luxury
of Broadband, then all the better. |
| |
|
| Can I create
my own DivX/VCD Movies from my own DVD's? |
| The answer is Yes,
you can. You will need a program that will
decrypt DVD's (referred to as Rip programs)
for eg:- Smartripper, Claddvd. The process
is called "ripping" because the
process implies that you will "rip"
both the video and audio tracks from the
DVD. The reason that you have to rip a DVD
to a hard drive is because DVDs are encrypted
and you need to first decrypt the files
before you can manipulate and get further
access to them. DVD Ripping basically involves
the process of copying the DVD files (i.e.
.VOB, .IFO, .BUP files) from the DVD onto
your hard-drive without the CSS (Content
Scrambling System) scrambling the files
during the copying process. This essentially
makes a perfect 1:1 copy of the DVD onto
your hard drive so that the files will have
the original quality and size. You also
need to make sure that your PC is at least
a minimum specification to do this. Normally
recommended at least a PIII 450Mhz or higher,
128Mb Ram, DVD Drive, About 6Gb - 8Gb of
free space on you Hard Drive, Soundcard,
8Mb - 16Mb Video Card. You will need a conversion
program like eg:- Flaskmpeg
to convert the ripped DVD files. For more
indepth information/tutorials about ripping/creating
your own DivX Movies try some of the links
below. They will tell you what software
you need for each individual stage etc. |
| |
|
| |
| |
| |
| |
|
| |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
