CineXPlayer
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CineXPlayer is a very versatile video app for your iPad
CineXPlayer is like a Swiss Army Knife video app for your iPad. It supports many video formats, including AVI, MOV, M4V, 3GP, MP4 and Xvid. Audio formats include Dolby Digital Plus (AC3, eAC3) 5.1 and 7.1 audio support. HD playback at 720P is enabled, as well as subtitles. I especially liked a new feature, which is the ability to split the screen in portrait mode with a video running at the top and a web browser on the bottom. You can, for example, bring up IMDB information about a movie you are watching. Perfect, and it overcomes a major limitation of the iPad. I should note that the browser is pretty primitive, and you'll have to type in some www's and .com's as they generally won't autofill. I'm told that issue will likely get sorted out in an update, hopefully soon. Videos can be transferred over Wi-Fi from another computer, via an iTunes file transfer or from Dropbox. You can't, of course, play files with DRM. The app supports AirPlay if you have an Apple TV, or you can output HDMI or VGA with the proper cable. Another nice feature is the ability to swipe across the screen and go forward or backwards 60 seconds per swipe. CineXPlayer allows you to create and manage video playlists, and files can be password protected. The CineXPlayer website has quite a few video demos about how this app works. This is a really nice player for travelers who can't count on data connections for services such as Netflix. It is very complete, although there are 2 US $0.99 In-App purchases for 3D conversion of Xvid files and for additional security. The CineXPlayer is on sale through the weekend for $2.99. It requires iOS 4.0 or later. There is also an iPhone version (the apps are not universal) that has similar functionality for $1.99. The app is frequently updated to add new features, and CineXPlayer is something I expect to use a lot. %Gallery-159189%
CineXPlayer adds iPhone and iPod touch to its Xvid party list, still won't cook your popcorn
Remember how NXP Software surprised the world with its CineXPlayer iPad app just two months ago? Well, the gang is back to give our iPhone (3GS and 4) and iPod touch (3rd and 4th gen) the same dose of Xvid goodness. Like its older sibling, this $1.99 CineXPlayer utilizes the same method for easily sideloading your AVI files via iTunes (under the iDevice's Apps tab), and you'll also find a familiar-looking interface topped with an extra rotation-lock button -- much more useful than iOS' native lock that only lets you watch in portrait mode. Alas, video files other than of Xvid and DivX nature aren't currently supported, but hopefully it won't be long before the VLC iPad app gets a smaller variant as well.%Gallery-104191%
Is CineXPlayer for iPad struggling to deliver on its Xvid-playing promise?
We were convinced the apocalypse was nigh earlier this month after learning Apple would allow playback of lowly video formats like Xvid on the iPad via the approved CineXPlayer app. Mobiputing's review, however, indicates that the software has trouble loading anything but Xvid and DivX files, which even then often don't play. App Store reviewers appear to have had better results with it, giving it an average of four and half stars -- though close to 32 percent or 433 reviewers did only rate it as one or two. To it's credit, though, CineXPlayer does warn users that not all Xvid files may play and requests that any problems be submitted to their support contact to address. Anyone out there having similar issues? Let us know in the comments below!
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.
