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What is a DivX file?

DivX files are a proprietary file format of DivX, Inc. They offer a high level of compression without any noticeable loss of quality. In fact, DivX files can support resolutions of up to 1080HD, at up to 12x compression rates.

DivX files require a DivX codec but are widely compatible and accessible on common Mac and Windows media players. You shouldn’t confuse DivX files with DIVX, which is a defunct video disc rental system that once rivalled the DVD format.

History of the DivX file.

Jerome Rota, commonly known as Gej, created DivX in 2000 from a reverse-engineered MPEG-4 codec. The name poked fun at the infamous DIVX disc format, a doomed movie industry attempt to create uncopiable video rentals for the mass market.

In fact, the original DivX styling even contained a winking face emoticon ;-) in sly reference to the failed system and its unpopularity. But why did Gej taunt the movie industry?

It was perhaps due to the unrivalled capabilities of his format. The quality and size of DivX were set to revolutionize the world of film, just as the MP3 had done to the music industry.

DivX soon had the Hollywood bigwigs flocking. By 2009 DivX, Inc had signed distribution deals with Lionsgate, Sony, and Paramount, licensing its technology to a range of household names in electronics.

DivX remains a giant of video processing, encoding, and compression. It inspired a generation of new formats during the streaming era and several major platforms have licensed the technology.

How to open a DivX file.

You can open and play DivX files on a number of Mac and Windows programs. Here’s how to do it.

Open a DivX file on Windows.

1. First, download the DivX Player for Windows.

2. Then, select your DivX file from your desktop.

3. Your file should open automatically in DivX Player.

Open a DivX file on Mac.

1. Either download the DivX Player, or QuickTime Player with DivX codec.

2. Use the Finder app to locate your DivX file.

3. The video will open and play automatically.

Questions? We have answers.

If you’re ready to create amazing video content, you can start using equally brilliant video editing software today:

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