DivX

What is DivX?

DivX is a video codec popular in the early 2000s for compressing DVD-quality video into small files for internet sharing.

Year2000
TypeLossy
UsageLegacy

What is it?

DivX is a video codec and media format developed by DivX, LLC. It became widely popular in the early 2000s as one of the first formats capable of compressing DVD-quality video into files small enough to share over the internet.

DivX is based on the MPEG-4 Part 2 video standard and uses the .divx or .avi file extension. While largely superseded by H.264 and H.265, many older video libraries still contain DivX files.

Technical Specifications

DeveloperDivX, LLC
File Extension.divx / .avi
MIME Typevideo/divx
CompressionLossy (MPEG-4 Part 2)
Released2000
LicenseProprietary

Pros & Cons

Advantages

Good Compression

Significantly smaller than uncompressed video while maintaining DVD-quality appearance.

Legacy Support

Most older media players and DivX-certified DVD players support it natively.

Mature Format

Stable and well-understood with extensive software support.

Disadvantages

Outdated

Superseded by H.264 and H.265 which offer better quality at smaller file sizes.

Limited Modern Support

Modern browsers and mobile devices do not support DivX natively.

Proprietary

Requires licensed encoders and decoders.

When to Use It

DivX is mainly relevant for accessing legacy video archives from the 2000s.

Legacy Video Libraries

Older movies and TV shows ripped in the early 2000s stored as DivX files.

DivX-Certified Players

Older portable video players and DVD players with DivX certification.

Video Archives

Personal video archives from the 2000s and 2010s.

Media Servers

Plex and Kodi support DivX playback for legacy content.

Convert Your Files Online - Free

Our free online converter supports all major formats. No software to install, no registration required.

Start Converting Now

Frequently Asked Questions

Can modern players play DivX files?

Yes, VLC Media Player can play most DivX files. Modern browsers do not support DivX natively.

Is DivX still relevant today?

DivX is largely superseded by MP4 but many existing video archives use it. Converting DivX to MP4 is recommended.

How do I convert DivX to MP4?

Use our online converter, VLC, HandBrake, or FFmpeg. Most tools handle DivX conversion easily.

What is the difference between DivX and AVI?

AVI is a container format while DivX is a video codec. A DivX file is typically an AVI container with DivX video encoding inside.

Is DivX the same as Xvid?

No. DivX and Xvid are competing MPEG-4 Part 2 codecs. Xvid is the open-source equivalent of DivX.