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byd:sign releases first DivX compatible HDTV in Japan
It may seem like everything is DivX compatible these days, but surprisingly it's taken until now for the official stamp to find its way onto a TV in Japan. byd:sign just popped out this 19-inch LCD HDTV w/ DVD player, making it the first one to carry the logo guaranteeing interoperability with all manner of video content. Available in black or white, the DC-1902DW series is a 1440x900 res, 500:1 contrast ratio screen that also get its media via a USB 2.0 port, SD / MMC / Memory Stick slot or the usual combo of HDMI inputs and digital/analog tuners. byd:sign CEO Katsumi Iizuka doesn't plan for this to be the last, so those Naruto RAWs you've been downloading should go direct to many HDTVs pretty soon.
DivX 7 to officially support MKV
Like anyone else, we can't get enough video formats -- not -- but unlike H.264, DivX, XviD and MPEG-2 the latest rage is Matroska (aka MKV) is not a codec, but a container. It is the format which holds other formats, so you should be wondering, what's so special about it? It is special because it can hold new combinations of codecs and it is open for anyone to use. The most popular new feature is its ability to contain x.264 video, DTS audio, and at the same time subtitles in multiple languages, all in the same file. It is quickly becoming the replacement for AVI, and has the best chance of becoming the mp3 of video, than any other container has before. The problem of course is support. As usual Windows is covered, but thanks to Perian, Macs have support now too. And of course the most universal player in the world, VLC does too. But now it appears it has warranted some commercial support and the next version of DivX will play nice too. This of course doesn't mean that any hardware vendors will join in -- other than the Popcorn Hour that is -- but it's a step in the right direction.
Sony Pictures Television International jumps on the DivX bandwagon
Never afraid to hedge its bets on high definition content distribution, Sony Pictures Television International has joined its counterpart in the U.S. by enabling online retailers to sell its feature films and TV shows in DivX format. With even more DivX Certified hardware in homes and hitting the shelves soon, we just want to see who will put this content on the market, and how.[Via eHomeUpgrade]
Revision3 content now available on DivX Connected devices
Online TV network Revision3 has just announced a lovey-dovey partnership with DivX that will make watching the outlet's content via DivX Connected devices a lesson in simplicity. Put simply, the deal enables Revision3 material (you know, PixelPerfect, Diggnation and our personal fav Tekzilla) to flow smoothly over the DivX Connected platform. According to Jim Louderback, CEO of Revision3, the agreement will make watching its original HD programming in the living room much easier than in months past. Now, if only some of these DivX Connected items would find their way over to America, we'd be set.
LG's 5 megapixel KF750 with DivX rebranded Secret, shhh
LG's KF750 was just announced official-like by the non-rioting folks at Lucky Goldstar. With it, we get the official specs courtesy of, uh, Photography Blog. Why is a site for digital photogs carrying a cellphone press release, you ask? Easy, this one's got a 5 megapixel camera with face recognition and the ability to shoot DivX video at 120fps. A member of LG's Black Label series, the 11.8-mm slider is the thinnest 5 megapixel cameraphone on the market. Unfortunately the press release is heavy on fluff and light on specs so we can only tell you that it'll also be sporting an auto-rotating touch-screen display, suite of mobile Google apps, and Bluetooth when it makes its European debut sometime this year, presumably, for an unknown price. Update: A few more details are rolling in: 2.4-inch display, haptic feedback, and available in May.[Via Stuff.tv and Digital-Lifestyles]Read -- Secret micro site (so secret it's currently down) Read -- Press release
DivX support finds its way into HP, LG HDTVs
There's no other way to say it, DivX is on a roll in 2008 (that small Stage6 stumble is already a fading memory). If support from Blu-ray players and videogame consoles wasn't enough, DivX Certification has snaked its long arm directly into HDTVs, with "over 80 models" from HP and LG slapping on a sticker indicating users can simply plug a USB drive in and play their entirely-legitimately-owned content. Expect that number to grow, since DivX is also working with AMD, Chips and Media, Broadcom and Trident to include support in other chipsets powering digital TVs near you. Now how about we see some of that content?
Denon DVD-3800BDCI Blu-ray player nabs DivX certification
Just in case you were worried that not every flavor of Denon's upcoming premium priced Blu-ray player would play your DVD rips totally legit content, the DVD-3800BDCI is the latest to add DivX certification. Why Blu-ray manufacturers are in such a hurry to put allow DivX playback on their preciously-DRM'd devices is still unclear, but the Certified seal keeps spreading.
Blu-ray players from Panasonic, Philips, and Denon get DivX Certified
Apparently, 100 million certified DivX video devices simply isn't enough, as a half dozen new standalone players have just had the coveted "DivX Certified" seal bestowed upon them. Joining the DivX-friendly PlayStation 3 is the Panasonic DMP-BD30 (no surprise here), Philips' BDP7200 and Denon's own DVD-2500BTC1B, DVD-3800BDC1B, DVD-3800BDSP and DVD-2500BTSP. According to In-Stat, worldwide shipments of BD players is "expected to reach 23 million in 2011," so we're betting that quite a few more units receive this badge of honor in the not-too-distant future.
Hauppauge has a DivX Connected box on the way
Hauppauge has a rep for mixing up the PC and TV, so its no surprise the company is the latest to hook with DivX by announcing its plans for a DivX Connected box due in the second half of this year. HD from a local hard drive or streaming internet services should be no problem, since it shares the open platform of D-Link's DSM-330 but we'll have to wait 'til there's some hardware in our hands to know the fruits of this partnership, and if it's advanced over the original Gejbox.
Philips and DivX get down like two flat tires
DivX seems to be recovering nicely from the fall of Stage6, inking a deal with Philips to make sure a "wide variety" of its consumer electronics devices will be compatible with the format. The two year license agreement applies to DVD players, TVs and Blu-ray players -- the upcoming Bonus View-enabled BDP7200 is not mentioned -- and in light of a similar agreement with Panasonic should continue to increase the amount of DivX Certified equipment available in the near future.
Euro spec Panasonic DMP-BD30: Now with DivX
Already available (and firmware updated) in the U.S., it looks like Panasonic's DMP-BD30EG/EE has a present for European and Russian buyers because when it launches this month, it will be the first DivX Certified Blu-ray player. With no indication of a firmware update to add DivX compatibility to U.S. players, that leaves U.S. buyers the option of the DivX compatible (but not yet certified) PS3, or waiting for Panasonic's DMP-BD50. Even in the post Stage6 world, DivX is a nice bonus to throw on top of Blu-ray playback while we wait for BD Live.
Save your Stage6 raid videos
Many raiders and machinima fans will be disappointed to learn that Stage6, one of the best purveyors of high quality DivX videos, will be shutting down. Moo announced yesterday in her his WoW Moviewatch the shut down will take place this Thursday. This is a big blow to not only the WoW community due to all the superb WoW videos hosted there, but also to the larger DivX community. If you're like me, you probably have half a dozen boss videos that you either need to watch, or do watch after wipes to learn from them. Stage6 has an option to save these videos to your hard disk, and it looks like after this Thursday, that will be the only way to enjoy them.In light of the closure of Stage6, what video sites will you use to get high quality boss and strategy videos from?Edit: A sincere apology to Moo for my gender mistake. Having not met any of my fellow bloggers in real life yet, I mistakenly assumed Moo was a masculine identity. /red-in-the-face. /apologize.
DivX shutting down Stage6
In a somewhat sudden announcement, DivX has decided to close the door on its Stage6 service. Reportedly, upload functionality has already been halted, but videos will still be available for viewing / downloading until February 28th. According to a DivX employee, the service simply became too unwieldy (and expensive) to manage, and while it did toss out the option of selling the service to someone else, things evidently didn't pan out. Adios, Stage6 -- 'twas a fun ride.[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
WoW Moviewatch: The Fat Cow V, and some bad news about Stage6
Chrille just released another Fat Cow to his PvP series. Fat Cow V contains duels against hunters, warlocks, rogues, 2v2 with frostmages, 3v3 with priests and warriors, and world PvP, as well as some artsy scenes. I would link to a high-quality version, but Stage6 ruined Christmas.[Via Warcraftmovies.com]Previously on Moviewatch ...Read on about why Stage6 gets a lump of coal this year ...
PS3 could get downloadable Sony Pictures Television content in DivX format
DivX and Sony Pictures Television have locked arms in a deal to enable online retailers to offer Sony Pictures content for download-to-own on DivX Certified devices. Engadget HD has confirmed that PlayStation 3 is one such 'certified' device, but not Xbox 360 (we're guessing Microsoft passed on paying the licensing fee). Though specific platforms have yet to be named, the agreement could see any number of Sony Pictures' ginormous catalog of past and present television shows being sold through PSN in high-quality DivX format. But, seeing as how Sony can barely manage to deliver a single, unenhanced PS1 game on the network at snail's pace, we're cautious to put our faith in the dubious service ever taking on the competition.[Via Engadget HD]
Sony Pictures Television to bring downloadable shows via DivX
Sony Pictures Television has just announced a deal to release "secure" and "high quality" downloads in DivX format for all DivX certified machines. The PS3 is the only gaming console to be DivX certified (Xbox 360 is not DivX certified)."This milestone agreement lays the foundation for Sony to offer high quality video content in the DivX format to its retail partners for playback on next-generation DivX Certified devices," said Kevin Hell, CEO of DivX, Inc. "Consumers want the flexibility and choice to enjoy high-quality video content from a range of retailers across a variety of devices. We are very pleased Sony Pictures Television recognizes the value of the DivX digital media solution and look forward to working together to offer a great experience to consumers."Some shows that could possibly make the jump include Blood +, The Boondocks, Damages, Days of our Lives, Rescue Me, The Shield, and more. For a complete listing of SPT's offerings, click here.[Via Engadget HD]
In case you missed it: Sony Pictures is going DivX
It's been hard enough to keep up with the CES onslaught of news over here on Engadget, so it's understandable if you missed the news over on Engadget HD that Sony Pictures Television is going to start releasing download-to-own but entirely DRM'd DivX content to DivX-certified products like the PS3 and DSM-330. Sadly, 360 owners will be left out in the cold thanks to that unit's lack of proper DivX certification. Otherwise Sony is short on details of actual distribution, so hopefully we'll be learning more soon.[Via Engadget HD]
Sony Pictures Television's serving up content to DivX Certified players
DivX announced Sony Pictures Television will be offering "high quality, secure" content for download-to-own to DivX Certified hardware (like the PlayStation 3 or DSM-330, but probably definitely not the Xbox 360). Little details like who will actually sell this content, what shows will be available (our fingers are crossed for syndicated Jeopardy HD episodes) and when aren't mentioned, but this is another step as it promotes itself as a platform for legitimate content distribution.Update: We contacted DivX and confirmed the Xbox 360 is not a Divx Certified device and will not play this content, while DivX Connected devices like the DSM-330 will..
D-Link DSM-330 DivX Connected HD Media Player on its way to the U.S.
The U.S. is finally getting its first official DivX Connected device, now that the D-Link DSM-330 is officially announced for release here. Due sometime in the first half of 2008, the onetime GejBox will of course support Stage6, but as an open platform should be able to handle any codec or package thrown at it. Seamless media streaming nirvana is upon us -- at least until we find a video file that won't work with even this.
DSM-330 DivX Connected HD Media Player gets unboxed
We already saw this thing in the wild way back when it was known as the DivX GejBox, but now the real deal has finally been acquired and unboxed. The DSM-330 DivX Connected HD Media Player has at long last made its way into a lucky soul's hands, and as if that weren't enough, it was even photographed right beside a beta box for good measure. Hungry for more? Hit the read link and indulge.
