Xvid
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Apple adds Xvid to QT Components site
Our own David just texted us to let us know that Apple has added Xvid to its online QuickTime Components list. The Xvid-for-QuickTime component, which you can download here, allows you to play and encode Xvid video. As the writeup mentions, Xvid follows the MPEG-4 standard.
Apple TV hacked to play XviD format videos
Word has come in that the Apple TV has been cleverly hacked (yes, already) to play XviD format videos, according to users from the Something Awful forums.To achieve this, the hardware hacker dissected the Apple TV, removing the hard drive and then mounting it on a Mac, where the drive pops up as a native HFS volume. (Notably, this proves that the device indeed runs a custom version of Mac OS X.) The user was then able to install Dropbear, an SSH server application, in combination with the video container Perian, and finally, a custom script was written to allow the Apple TV to properly read an XviD format video. Normally, of course, the device only recognizes MPEG4 and H.264 format videos out of the box. No other formats have been tested as of yet, and this hack unfortunately prevents video synchronization since the it uses reference QuickTime files for the videos to properly play. Perhaps this is just the beginning, though. [via MacNN]
Apple TV reportedly hacked for XviD support
Hacks don't come much quicker than this. Just days after they started rolling out, one early recipient of an Apple TV has already cracked his open and claims to have gotten it to play nice with XviD files, although not without some wrangling. The first step -- and the one sure to stop the more warranty-aware folks among us in their tracks -- involves removing the Apple TV's hard drive, popping it into a USB enclosure, and mounting it on your computer. From there, you simply install the Perian video tool and the Dropbear SSH server in the appropriate locations, along with a script that disables the Apple TV's firewall and opens up the necessary ports -- then put it all back together. It's apparently not quite an ideal solution, however, also requiring the creation of reference QuickTime files for each XviD movie -- although, not surprisingly, they're already working on a tool to automate that process. [Via Electronista, thanks Jonathan]
DivX & Xvid support too good to be true
Homebrewers will want to be on the look-out once again. If fake downgraders that bricked your PSP weren't enough, apparently another piece of malicious code has hit the web: a supposed plugin for the PSP will allow your system to play AVI, DivX and Xvid files. The program, created by a programmer named "Sc00p," is in fact, littered with trojans that will attempt to infect your PC. Uncool. While it won't brick the PSP, it may be able to harm your computer.[Via DCEmu]
iOPS mimics the mini, showcases diminutive X11 PMP
You won't color us surprised to find that another Asian company has knocked off one of Apple's products, and we certainly aren't shocked that this time around it's iOPS (again). The firm's X11 is crafted from white or graphite aluminum, comes in at just 9-millimeters thick, and boasts a very, very familiar click wheel mechanism. Regardless, this PMP offers up 1/2/4GB capacities, and features a 1.3-inch color LCD, rechargeable Li-ion battery, JPEG / text viewer, FM radio tuner, built-in equalizer, USB 2.0 connectivity, and upgradeable firmware. On the audio front, it supports MP3, WMA, and OGG music files, while it plays nice with AVI, MPEG4, DivX, XviD, and WMV video files, and although we aren't certain of how much coinage this thing will require (if it actually makes it to market, that is), this looks like a very functional alternative to Apple's rendition if you get the itch to import.
Teclast kicks out sleek C260 do-it-all for Chinese market
Teclast is keeping things fresh with its latest style-conscious DAP / PMP / gaming handheld, the C260. Joining the growing fray of Chinese all-in-one wonders, this sexy machine boasts a 3.15- x 1.85- x 0.39-inch enclosure, 2.4-inch QVGA touchscreen, landscape layout, built-in FM radio tuner, audio input for recording, headphone jack, USB 2.0 connectivity, and eight pre-loaded equalizer functions. Aside from playing nice with MP3 / WAV on the audio side, it also reportedly supports XviD, DivX, and AVI on the video front, while displaying JPEG slideshows and simple text files on the side. Additionally, it purportedly features some sort of "gaming" functionality in case the tunes loaded on your microSD card get stale. So if you've been craving a do-it-all device that remarkably resembles LG's Chocolate handset, the 1GB C260 should be hitting the Chinese streets soon for just 399 CNY, or about $51.[Via AVing]
3Soft's Maxtombow GPS conglomerate headed for America
It seemed to start with all-in-one PMP / gaming handhelds, and now the conglomerate craze is apparently bleeding over to the GPS realm. While we've already seen the Guide Dog, which claims to handle more multitasking that we can even fathom in a portable GPS unit, 3Soft's Maxtombow isn't too far behind. Packing a bit more credibility that the aforementioned PDC gizmo, this 7-inch in-car / handheld device reportedly packs a 720 x 480 resolution LCD, built-in TV tuner, SD expansion slot, AV outputs, an FM tuner, and of course, the obligatory turn-by-turn tour guide to keep you on track. It also claims to function as an MP3 / WMA player, JPEG viewer, and even handles XviD, AVI, WMV, and MPEG1/4 on the video front. Purportedly coming in 1GB or 2GB flavors, this bad boy comes pre-packaged with a car-mounting kit to please your passengers. Recently released FCC approval documents all but confirm the prospect of an American Maxtombow, but we've heard nothing on the subject of how quickly this thing will make the trip from Korea to America, nor how much coinage it'll demand when it lands.
Newman D20c media player rocks out in China for $254
Remember the Cowon iAudio F2 that came out about two months ago? Yeah, the one with the button interface? We're pretty sure that Newman's latest offering, the D20c, is the lovechild product of the iAudio F2 and a 1980s Casio calculator. It's got an 80GB hard drive (although some Chinese sources cite a 20GB or 40GB drive) that will play MP3 and WMA audio files, but also will show your XviD movies on its 2.4-inch 480 x 220 screen as well. If 80GB isn't not enough for you, there's also built-in flash memory slots for SD, MMC, Memory Stick and CompactFlash cards. It's currently on sale for 2,000 yuan ($254) at electronics bazaars across China -- perhaps you can get your favorite merchant to throw in one of those Casio calculators they've had kicking around since 1983. [Via CNET Asia, thanks impish]
Samsung's uber-stylish NV3 digicam / PMP reviewed
While we Americans were off celebrating Independence Day, Samsung partied by throwing down a new NV lineup of stylish digicams. The value-packed flavor, dubbed NV3, took a pocket-friendly design and crammed MP3 / XviD playback into a point-and-shoot camera. The blokes over at DigicamReview got their fingers around the sexy device, and they found that while it suffered from the same issues that most 7-megapixel compacts did (introducing red-eye, high noise inclusion, and soft detail), the PMP functionality was top notch and pricing was very reasonable to boot. Reviewers were quick to point out the "lower than expected detail, lack of color, and over-processed look" seen in test shots, but did praise the super macro mode in its astounding ability to focus on objects just one centimeter away. Moreover, the camera's 720 x 480 widescreen video mode (as well as the 30fps VGA mode) were "impressive," and the MP3 / XviD functions performed comparably to the video iPod. Touted as a "complete package," the crew was mildly pleased with the 2 hours, 10 minutes of battery life while watching video clips and 3 hours, 50 minutes they realized when streaming through tunes. Overall, the NV3 was dubbed an "excellent value" at around £165 ($315), especially if you're looking to consolidate your gadgets and don't mind "just average" quality in your backup camera.
How-To: Transcode & stream videos on Xbox 360
Last week's Xbox 360 Fall Dashboard update added support for the Windows Media Video (WMV) video codec. The feature was a welcomed gain for non-Media Center users who have been limited to photo and music sharing between their Windows PCs and Xbox 360s -- and to anyone who's longed to watch video files on 360 via a thumb drive or CD/DVD.Unfortunately, licensing fees and digital rights concerns have limited the patch to WMV-support only. Being Microsoft's proprietary format, WMV is neither popular or oft-used, taking a backseat to preferred codecs like DivX and XviD. And so, we're still left scrambling for a solution to getting our video content onto Xbox 360.
dCube unveils HD XviD-playing MV-8600HD at KES
The flashy gizmos that keep popping up at this year's Korean Electronics Show continue to impress, and next up is dCube's media-playing extraoridinaire, the MV-8600HD. This stylish box boasts an optical drive that plays nice with a myriad of formats, including HD XviD, MPEG1/2/4, AVI, VOB, IFO, ASF, and WMV on the video side, while supporting MP3, WMA, AAC, OGG, PCM, and AC3 on the musical front. The device can output video at 1080i resolution (no word on upscaling, however), and rocks DVI, component, composite, and S-Video outputs to complement the stereo, coaxial, and optical digital audio ports. It even sports a pair of USB 2.0 ports and integrated Ethernet / WiFi, presumably for attaching external storage and making it accessible over a network. As expected, there's no skinny on pricing or availability details, but you should be able to import this all-in-one wonder stateside real soon.
Another petition for Divx / Xvid support
Normally these petition efforts collapse under the crushing weight of futility, but this one, demanding Divx / Xvid support, already has over 3200 signatures.[Thanks KineticOnline]
Novac's NV-HV355 Mobile Video HDD
After bringing us the TV for Skype Anywhere product we were kinda hoping for something equally unusual from Novac's next consumer offering. Unfortunately, all we're getting this time around is the NV-HV355 Mobile Video HDD media player in need of a 3.5-inch IDE disk. Once you sort that out, stuff the disk via USB 2.0 with all the DivX 3/4/5, MPEG-1/2/4, XviD, VOB, JPEG, and MP3 files you can muster. Plug 'er into the TV via composite, component, or even SCART, link the coax to your hi-fi and kick back with your Pabst resting on that slim remote coaster content in the knowledge that you're sticking it to the man mkay torrent-boy. On the cheap too at ¥12,800 or about $109 when this drops in fiver. [Via Akihabara News]
RAmos RM150 plays XviD on the cheap
While the myriad of Chinese PMPs tend to share a few similarities, namely being cheap (in more ways than one), the RAmos RM150 does a decent job of making a name for itself by touting native XviD support and sporting a swank PDA-like design. RAmos offers both 512MB and 1GB flavors, and the pocket-size device rocks a 2.2-inch TFT screen which displays your ever-growing collection of XviD and AVI files with ease. While you won't fit too many of those clips on such skimpy amounts of storage, you can carry quite a few MP3s and WMA files along, and there's always the FM tuner should you need some fresh material on the go. While there's no word on battery life, we wouldn't expect too much more from the RM150 -- after all, this unit is already a big step forward from the company's gaudy gold offering of last year. If you don't mind the limited storage capacity (and the complete lack of expansion options), the 512MB version can be had for 399 CNY ($50), while 1GB will run you just 499 CNY ($63).
PiMPstreamer homebrew streams video
One of things I wanted in the next official firmware upgrade was the ability to stream video. A reader by the name of Joel stated that "the PSP doesn't have a Core 2 Duo, it has 237 Megahertz. Live streaming video needs mmuch more."Well, looks like homebrew has proven you wrong. Very wrong. A homebrew application called PiMPstreamer has just been updated, and the responses have been overwhelmingly positive. The program lets you stream movies and music from your PC to your PSP. Movies can include traditional MPEG, AVI and even WMV files. It's only been tested on 1.5 firmware, so those of you that homebrew-compatible PSPs might want to check it out. For the rest of us, I think it's a clear indicator that the PSP is very capable of a video streaming function, and we should demand Sony implement it in the next firmware.[Via PSP Hacks]
Acer's MP-500 PMP gets official
It doesn't really look a whole bunch like those concept renders of a touchscreen MP-500 rumored from Acer back in February, but a 3.5-inch screened device of the same name does seem to be coming soon from the company. Besides that 3.5-inch QVGA screen, the device has pretty hefty format support, including DivX, XviD, MPEG-2/4, WMV9, MP3, WMA and JPEG. Along with video and audio out there appears to be a video in source, since the unit records both audio and video. You can get about 4 hours of video or 8 hours of audio out of the replaceable Li-ion battery. There's a 20GB 1.8-inch HDD, along with an SD card slot, but the device manages to measure less than an inch thick. Really, not bad specs for this Acer offering, but we're not sure what here could entice a user already flooded with PMP offerings. The $440 MSRP isn't going to do it.[Via dapreview]
VisualHub - The universal video converter
VisualHub is a feature-packed and 'universal' video converter for Mac OS X from the maker of iSquint. From its website: "VisualHub bridges the gap between numerous complicated video formatting standards, and people that just want to get the job done - just what you would expect from the Mac." It boasts fast conversion from nearly every video format to iPod, PSP, DV, DVD, AVI, MP4, WMV, MPEG and Flash (what: no animated GIF?), and brags about ts three-step conversion process: click, drag, click.Fortunately, VisualHub also offers advanced features like bitrate control, frame cropping and audio quality. Xgrid is supported for those with multiple Macs on a network and CPU cycles to spare, while QuickTime Pro and other plugins need not apply.VisualHub's long list of features don't stop there, however, so check out Techspansion's product page for the full feature list and samples of its work. A demo is available, while a full license will cost you a mere $23.32 USD.[thanks Khaled!]
BenQ's VIIV-friendly DMP300 Digital Media Player
Now that you've picked up a brand new VIIV-powered PC (because computing just isn't computing without VIIV), you probably want a media streaming device to watch all your digital swag on regular TVs, and BenQ's got your back with the new DMP300 Digital Media Player. Like many of the other similar solutions on the market, the DMP300 streams your music (MP3, WMA, PCM), vids (MPEG-1/2/4, WMV9, XviD), and pics (JPEG, JPEG2000, BMP) over a wired or wireless (802.11b/g) network, but also leverages the power of VIIV for accessing certain remote applications and premium content. This model sports a full range of connectivity options -- HDMI, component, S-video, and digital audio outputs are some of the highlights -- and will be available for an undisclosed price under generic branding sometime next quarter.
Oppo's upconverting DV-970HD DVD player
Oppo's just announced a new upconverting DVD player, the DV-970HD, featuring HDMI and a very reasonable $149 price tag. The player will convert standard DVDs up to 720p/1080i and can output a native 480i/576i resolution over HDMI. Sure, it's no match for HD-DVD or Blu-Ray, but we're guessing most of you aren't ready to trade in your DVD collections just yet. In fact, the player should play just about anything short of HD or Blu-Ray, including DVD-Audio, SACD, DivX, and XviD -- we remember when all that format support used to cost you a grip. It's also both PAL and NTSC compatible to boot, and includes a 4-in-1 flash memory reader and a USB interface. And did we mention it's only $150?[Thx, Dustin]
Cowon's 4GB iAudio6 DAP reviewed
Cowon's gotten some rather mixed reviews in the past for their line of iAudio DAPs, but the outlook seems mostly positive for the upcoming hard drive-based iAudio6, with Anything But iPod finding very few flaws in the diminutive player's design, features, or performance. Especially impressive is the 1.3-inch OLED screen, which gets high marks for both color depth and clarity -- ABi calls it "simply brilliant" -- and makes watching XviD-encoded movies almost bearable on such a small display. The iAudio6, which we first spotted at CES, can handle up to 4GB of MP3, WMA, OGG, FLAC, or WAV-encoded tracks on its .85-inch drive, but it's the drive that leads to one of the few knocks on this model, which is a noticeable lag time between operations. Other nice features include USB host capability for device-to-device file transfer with other UMS-enabled hardware, software that automatically tags certain tunes with the corresponding lyrics, line-in and voice recording, and surprisingly powerful output that can drive even large headphones. If you don't mind a bit of a delay when recording or changing tracks, or a bit of eye strain when watching your flicks, then the iAudio6 sounds like it'll make for a solid purchase whenever it becomes available Stateside.[Thanks, James]
