iPad gets Xvid AVI video playback with CineXPlayer app on iTunes, hell freezes over

Now here's a surprise. Apple isn't exactly known to be super friendly when it comes to video compatibility, and we can sympathize to an extent. However, for some inexplicable reason, Steve's brethren decided to give this CineXPlayer app the green light for general consumption, thus finally allowing iPad users to load up their stash of Xvid AVI files -- sans conversion -- via iTunes. While this is worth a quick celebration, it's still rather absurd having to resort to underhanded apps for such basic functionality -- something that we've been able to do natively on many other tablets and PMPs for years. Let's not also assume that this free app is staying for good, so grab it while it's hot. Video instructions after the break.

[drifely Posted Aug 9th 2010 6:48PM]

@brutusx00
Select the movie in the app window below, then hit delete.

[cmais Posted Aug 9th 2010 1:53PM]

All the computers in the office are apple - and everyone is using an iphone or a bold for cells

[Inspector Gadget80 Posted Aug 9th 2010 2:05PM]

I remember when I used to have the original 32GB iPod 2nd Gen and then 3rd gen I have to convert videos into iPod format MP4. Kinda sucks for people who have iPods that can't play Dvix or some type of files. That's why I didn't get any other ipods after wards I'm sticking with my ZUNE HD.

[testicon Posted Aug 9th 2010 2:32PM]

@Inspector Gadget80
amen brother. So what if i cant use a fart app? I have a zune for music.

[Jordus Posted Aug 9th 2010 2:11PM]

We've had this for months on Android in the form of Rockplayer.

Try again, iNoobs.

[steve19137 Posted Aug 9th 2010 2:16PM]

someones a lady gaga fan...

[TareG Posted Aug 9th 2010 2:21PM]

One question, can it play HD movies?

[frankie1220 Posted Aug 9th 2010 2:24PM]

Only for iPad. That just ain't right. It would be great if there is for iPhone 4. Make use of that HD

[testicon Posted Aug 9th 2010 2:31PM]

My ZuneHD can do this, and has been able to for a while now, just sayin.

[kapryt Posted Aug 9th 2010 3:47PM]

Looking for a cheap alternative to the iPad?

http://www.styrofoamsoup.com/less-expensive-than-the-regal/tablet-computers-from-india-less-expensive-than-the-regal/

[bluevaping Posted Aug 9th 2010 4:25PM]

This must be a windows thing... AVI files can be converted to other formats for use with like PS3, itunes, ipods, ipads, iphones, and youtube. The format is H 2.64. There is a free program to on convert. Handbrake for windows, OSx, Linux. http://handbrake.fr/
It even does dvds... been out for years....wow

[hey buddy Posted Aug 9th 2010 9:18PM]

@bluevaping


Yeah, fun - Converting files. The gag here is that it plays files directly, playable the minute you finish downloading them. Without converting them. Sort of a big deal for an iPad.

[HKCally Posted Aug 9th 2010 4:48PM]

Surprised by this move. Good for you iPadders.

[aelaos Posted Aug 9th 2010 5:59PM]

Too bad it fails to play a lot of xvids that i have in my collection. But the ones that can , are very well played with smooth animation . Its on the right track but still need work

[drifely Posted Aug 9th 2010 6:46PM]

Oh, yeah....20 videos on a 32 gb iPad. This is very useful.

[ScaryFast Posted Aug 9th 2010 7:48PM]

AirVideo costs $3, does conversion on the fly, and streams all sorts of video formats to your iPad, including .mkv, over the network and Internet.

[Texasyoungin Posted Aug 9th 2010 8:00PM]

@ScaryFast

True and I use it everyday and it's great as it can convert the format while watching it... You can also use the free version as it does the same but won't list all your videos at one time

[Teiji25 Posted Aug 10th 2010 3:02AM]

@ScaryFast
Yep, I also used Air Video. It's an awesome app. It plays everything I throw at it (avi, mkv, wmv, rmvb, etc.) and plays them smoothly.

[delicatessen lama Posted Aug 9th 2010 9:05PM]

Somebody really likes Ladygaga... & I know what her songs are called...

[Interwebs Posted Aug 10th 2010 12:48AM]

yay it can play DivX! Its a win win scenario. Its increases the marketability of the device and lets consumers play their videos without converting them. When you have to convert them you've blew it.

[bhoffa Posted Aug 10th 2010 4:02AM]

Ipad is so gay...seen a guy on the subway with one and he looked so corny trying to balance it in his hand while standing up...he thought he was so cool, but he looked like a dork standing there. Fccn queer!

[hey buddy Posted Aug 10th 2010 4:29AM]

@bhoffa


Sorta sounds like you want to see him again, though.

[Zhuzhu Posted Aug 10th 2010 8:01AM]

Doesn't work well for me. VERY choppy playback on anything I could get it to play at all, and a couple of my AVIs crash the app when I try to open them. All of these play perfectly in VLC on my computer.

I haven't done a careful analysis of what types of files cause problems, but I'd hardly call this a universal solution.

Alas, Handbrake and Apple's Videos app still seem to be the most workable setup. Unfortunately, Videos' handling of subtitles (which I use a lot) is very irritating, so I'm still hoping to find something more like VLC for the iPad.

[rsuryase Posted Aug 10th 2010 10:11AM]

I think yxplayer will be discontinued, I regret purchasing that software.