The DivX codec makes a play for set-top boxes

The little codec that could, DivX, announced a series of partnerships today that will use the protocol in set-top boxes for Internet Protocol Television (IPTV).

DivX Inc. (which is not related to the late, lamented DIVX system used by Circuit City to produce degradable DVDs) announced or extended partnerships with Broadcom, D-Link Systems, Jaman.com, and Next New Networks.

Support for DivX, which is known for its compression scheme, would reduce the amount of bandwidth required to send content over IPTV, which would be both faster and cheaper.

DivX extended its partnership with Broadcom and certified Broadcom's BCM7403 chipset for set-top devices for full 1080p DivX HD playback, and will also support DivX in Broadcom's 35xx chipset series.

DivX and Next New Networks, which distributes video content on the Internet through networks such as IndyMogul and Channel Frederator, announced a partnership to give users access to Next New Network programs through the DivX Connected platform. Similarly, the agreement with Jaman.com will give users access to selections from Jaman.com's library of foreign, independent, short, and documentary films.

That's all great, but you need something to see them on. The announcement with D-Link was that the D-Link DSM-330 DivX Connected HD Media Player, which DivX said was the first piece of equipment to support DivX Connected, would be available in the US in the first half of 2008. It first shipped in November to the UK, France, and Germany. The companies did not say how much it would cost in the US.

The companies also did not say when set-top boxes based on the Broadcom chipset, or content from the two providers, would be made available.