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DivX to be Added to PlayStation 3

By BetaNews Staff, BetaNews

November 13, 2007, 12:12 PM

DivX said Tuesday that its codecs will be added to Sony's PlayStation 3, allowing the device to play back videos in the format. The company said it is currently working to certify the console to play DivX, although gave no time frame as to when the PS3 will be certified. Currently about 100 million certified devices have already been shipped to the market, and the PS3 is expected to "significantly expand that number."

A separate software update enabling DivX playback capabilities will be released in the "near future," the company said. Additionally, developers will be able to use the technologies within their games thanks to the addition of DivX to version 2 of the PS3 SDK. That was released by Sony on November 2.

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By Hocuspokus

posted Nov 14, 2007 - 11:40 AM

Handy for PS3 owners but in the console tussle it doesn't mean so much.

The XBox 360 is getting it very soon too.

"Ever since Microsoft announced that DivX playback was being added to its Media Extenders for Windows program we've been scouring the web for clues on whether the Xbox 360 would be included in the line-up of devices getting native playback. So far we've been unsuccessful at various Microsoft events, with many variations of 'no comment' our only reply. However, it seems that DivX's acting CEO, Kevin Hell, isn't quite as disciplined in keeping the details hushed up, almost confirming the codec's forthcoming arrival in the Xbox.

The near-admission came while Hell was talking to JP Morgan's Paul Costner and is recorded for all to hear in a webcast of the recent SMid Cap conference. The pertinent part is this exchange:

Costner: "Does that mean we're soon going to see Xboxes with DivX on them?"

Hell: "Yes. That, uh, we're in discussions with Microsoft on that at this point in time, so I can't go into any great detail on that. Um that is not a certified, that is not a certified or licensed product at this time."

At this point another DivX staff member jumped in and swiftly changed the subject, which is always an interesting sign.

Okay, so this isn't exactly a strict yes, but given all the other (alas entirely unconfirmed) rumours that the 360 will be getting native playback of DivX files. Hopefully we'll get a real admission from Microsoft or DivX soon, especially as the latest PS3 update looks to be bringing us closer to similar support on Sony's platform."

http://www.trustedreview...ck-Confirmed-Sort-Of/p1

Score: 0

By yountmj

posted Nov 14, 2007 - 3:48 PM

Good stuff.

By the way... where have you been? :)

Score: 0

By ps3divx

edited Nov 14, 2007 - 6:42 AM

Great news. It's all for free.
More info http://Ps3Divx.com

Score: 0

By bobthegoat2001

posted Nov 15, 2007 - 2:10 AM

Hello Dave Patterson.

Score: 0

By yountmj

posted Nov 14, 2007 - 8:24 AM

Is that called a shameless plug?

Score: 0

By plague201

posted Nov 13, 2007 - 1:23 PM

Could game developers use the codec to compress in game videos? Not that 25 gigs isn't enough room for 'uncompressed' videos, but why be stupid, save space if you can.

Score: 0

By yountmj

posted Nov 13, 2007 - 10:38 PM

Sure... that is if there are still game developers out there willing to beat the PS3 hardware into submission (or the other way around). :)

Score: 0

By patryks

posted Nov 13, 2007 - 2:14 PM

Actually, uncompressed video can easily take many terabytes. All video is compressed in some way. PS3 already supports MP4 which is a little better then DivX. This just gives developers another option.

Score: 0

By Paul Skinner

posted Nov 13, 2007 - 3:07 PM

This is correct.

I remember reading about 10 years ago now that a particular film (I wish I could remember which) took up 14 Terabytes of space uncompressed.

This is sure to have at least doubled by now.

Score: 0

By bobthegoat2001

posted Nov 14, 2007 - 4:52 AM

I wonder how many floppy disks that would have taken to backup.

Score: 0

By yountmj

posted Nov 14, 2007 - 7:41 AM

Approximately 10,194,488. :)

Score: 0

By bobthegoat2001

posted Nov 15, 2007 - 2:11 AM

Did you use 1.44mb or 1.38mb? Because just like a hard drive, even though the label said 1.44mb you could still only do 1.38mb. ;)

Score: 0

By PhoenixPath

posted Nov 15, 2007 - 9:13 AM

1.44MB is reported (incorrectly) by the operating system as ~1.38MB.

The OS is using the binary definition and as such should be calling them KiB/MiB/GiB. The OS has got it wrong, not the floppy. :) They are using the correct terminology for the standard they are reporting.

Score: 0

By yountmj

posted Nov 13, 2007 - 10:26 PM

I can't remember which either, but I vaguely remember reading something about that.

Toy Story, perhaps?

Score: 0

By Galway

posted Nov 13, 2007 - 12:36 PM

50+ Blu-ray films on a disk coming to a burner near you soon. Plenty to sift through between good games.

Score: 0

By Paul Skinner

posted Nov 13, 2007 - 12:25 PM

Woop! Pirated movies made easy for millions.

Score: 0

By PhoenixPath

edited Nov 13, 2007 - 12:30 PM

That's what the Phillips DVP-5140 is for. ;)

($50 beats $400 any day)

Score: 0

By aredo

posted Nov 14, 2007 - 6:38 AM

$50 DVD/DiVX players can't decode HDTV 720p/1080p DiVX streams, SDTV only is supported at that price range.
Cell on the PS3 surely has no issues decoding HDTV DiVX contents. The next major DiVX release will switch from a tweaked MPEG-4 ASP to a full MPEG-4 AVC implementation, which means H.264 support and quality.

Score: 0

By yountmj

posted Nov 14, 2007 - 10:46 AM

You mean 'DivX', right?

Anyway, Xvid is better... but that is great specul... err, I mean news.

Score: 0

By PhoenixPath

posted Nov 14, 2007 - 10:27 AM

...and I care, why?

I'm one of the 70%+ of folks out there who don't have an HD TV set or have plans to upgrade any time soon.

I could care less about what the PS3 can and cannot do, I really could, but it would involve more effort than I am willing to put into it.

...just like the other 70% of folks who could possibly care less, but just aren't bothering. :)

You can promote the PS3/HD-DVD/Blu-Ray/whatever all you want. In the end, most of us just shrug and go on with our lives.

Score: 0

By bobthegoat2001

posted Nov 14, 2007 - 4:56 AM

Yeah, I was thinking the same thing. Divx would be a nice feature, but not $400 (or more) worth. I wonder if Microsoft will follow suit.

Score: 0

By Paul Skinner

posted Nov 13, 2007 - 12:49 PM

Yes, yes, I know.
If you already have a PS3 (and not a DivX player) it's handy though.

Score: 0

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