Chicago (IL) – DivX is joining the high-definition era: Following its first H.264 decoder, the company today announced the alpha version of its first H.264 encoder. The software is part of what eventually will become Divx 7 and beta testers are invited to try out what the company has come up with so far.

According to Divx, the command line-based alpha 1 version is the second software to come out of its Project Rémoulade, is already multithreaded and will create H.264 video bitstreams that are compatible with the draft profile for DivX 7 H.264 HD video. Beta testers can use AVI files as well as the AVISynth frameserver as input.   

Divx has posted detailed instructions how to install and use the encoder, including all of the software’s current limitations – for example that video output is not compatible with Apple’s iPod and iPhone.

Video enthusiasts interested in testing the software will need additional software to transform the raw H.264 bitstreams provided by the encoder into an MKV container. Divx also recommends additional software to serve video into the encoder.

Also worth noting is that Divx 7 will have sharp constraints on video format sizes in order to support “a wide range of consumer electronics.” The picture dimensions have to be at least 320 x 240 pixels. The dimensions cannot exceed 1280 x 720 pixels if the frame rate is greater than 30 Hz.  

The software can be downloaded from the DivX website.

What?

Aug 25, 2008 21:48     

This is their HD codec and it won't even support 1080p resolutions? Sounds pretty lame to me.
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Strange constraints

Aug 26, 2008 03:28     

Only 720p if >30 Hz sounds like built-in constraints or know issues/bugs already...or....? Video only is not interested for the HD era, the sound is equally important: DTS-like or HD-audio??
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Re: What?

Aug 26, 2008 06:04     

"The dimensions cannot exceed 1280 x 720 pixels if the frame rate is greater than 30 Hz." You're only limited if your frame rate is higher than 30fps. The problem for them is the standalone/DVD/BD players that also read DivX. This allows them to know what kinds of videos they'll be playing, which could be a good thing for those applications. And it could allow them to sell different types of those devices based on what resolutions they support. Though I wouldn't expect that to make much of a difference. Why buy something that doesn't play anything you throw at it? There's already enough confusion on that with the HD Ready/Full HD "features" on TVs.

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Bring Back

Aug 27, 2008 10:38     

Bring back Stage 6 and I'll be a happy camper....Gahh...I miss those days. Anyone come across a service similar to Stage 6 yet ?
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havenvideo the new home of stage6

Sep 05, 2008 00:15     

Hi bring back All the stage6 members are at http://www.havenvideo.com Loads of Divx videos and they even have the channels like stage6 and lots of movies music shows etc. See you there Jamone
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