Xbox 360 DivX/XviD Playback Tested (Verdict: It's Almost Perfect)

The Xbox 360 supports DivX and XviD as of today, which may make some of you with big file collections (like us) as giddy as a kid in store with puppies made of candy. We threw our entire collection of movies, TV shows and random clips at it and found that the 360 can play back pretty much anything. Here are some notes.

You can play files off of a CD/DVD. This feature wasn't listed on the Xbox Team's website as one of the supported locations for playing back content, but this is fantastic for homes that have wireless networks (or no network at all). In fact, reading off a disc is probably the best way to ensure your movie won't cut out in the middle due to network congestion (unlikely) or someone turning off the computer accidentally (fairly likely).

It supports almost all files. It played back all TV shows we threw at it, including My Name is Earl, 30 Rock, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Battlestar Galactica, and The Venture Bros.. Most of these, and most TV downloaded TV shows, are encoded in XviD format. As for DivX, that's supported back to version 5.0, but it's unlikely that you're going to find any DivX 3 or DivX 4 online, unless you're talking about old files you've saved for a couple years.

AC3 Audio is supported. Nice! AC3 support was added in the Spring Update, but it's nice to see it working with DivX/XviD. Too bad it's not 5.1 though.

It supports Windows Home Server as well. Along with USB drives and WMP11 streaming, you can also stream DivX/XviD from Windows Home Server too. It makes sense to store all your videos on here, since videos are big and WHS has a lot of room. QED.

Video Stretching is kind of weird. The Xbox will try and auto-fit your video to the screen when it starts playing, but it gets confused easily with different video dimensions. You'll want to manually change the playback mode to either letterbox or stretched, depending on what kind of content (widescreen, fullscreen, PAL) you're playing back.

You can skip through a video with the bumpers. RB and LB let you skip forward and back through the movie, but might not be granular enough to get to the place you want to be. You'll have to use the trigger buttons to FF or RW.

It's fast. If your network connection is fast enough (my network is Gigabit Ethernet enabled, which isn't a huge deal since the 360 is only 10/100), the video should play back without a hitch. It's quite nice to be able to play back stuff on your 360, in HD, without having to transcode it into WMV first.

It doesn't work in Windows Media Center Extender. You're going to have to kick out of WMC and back to the dashboard in order to play your videos. Annoying for people who like to switch between live TV and downloaded content.

It's not entirely perfect. It's 90% of the way there, but 5.1 AC3 support, improved handling of different video dimensions, better playback controls and Windows Media Center Extender support will make this the perfect DivX/Xvid implementation.

[Zhuk]

The Xbox 360 is the first console ever to officially support the DivX codec. Xbox 360 consumers are excited for the possibilities this has brought to their home entertainment setup and it is a great addition to the Xbox 360s already AAA award winning media capabilities.

Sony proves yet again it's all talk no substance and has yet to provide DivX support to its mistreated consumers

[Neurotoxin]

The 360 should have had this ages ago seeing as the console has been out for 2 1/2 years. Seeing as comparably the PS3 is getting the same thing after only 1 1/2 years you best be quiet you flaming troll.

For all you Legitimate non-biased 360 owners, i`m glad to hear its working well, its a great progression on the media capabilities of the Xbox.

[kewlkat007]

I've been going back and fourth, as to who would get more playtime, as my main MEDIA device and it seems like Sony Lost for now..unless their support is more robust.

Tversity with PS3 had worked very well, besides the downgraded stream, It looks just as good as my XBMC on my old Original XBOX, which is what I was used to.

Anyhow this is the BEST UPDATE for me PERSONALLY.

There have been too many work arounds to get MEDIA playing as they should on the PS3 or Xbox 360.

One thing I'am waiting for is the "Linux version" of "XBMC" which will be a pleasure in like a year, if it can get working on the PS3. "XBMC software" runs circles around these 2 consoles as MEDIA PLAYERS.
http://www.xboxmediacenter....

Like some one stated "corporate software Vs open source" is sometimes a joke. Sony did announce DIVX partnership or something like that like a month ago on but everyone thinks, it will be availible with HOME debut, but nothing about XVID, which is DIVX's rival?

-In game Dash functions (check)
-XVID/DIVX Streaming support (check)
-Thorough Upgrades worth the 6 months (check)

MY 360 and PS3 is connected ot my network so using the Media Share funcionality I won't need to connect no USB drive/External, I just search for my Computer/Movie on the console and hit Play.

[bootsielon]

...seem as if you were giving a Microsoft press release?

[DeejayTai]

But when ps3 gets Divx, then what? The ass-kicking will continue, that's what.

[Charlie2688]

I found it to be far from perfect more like a 75-80% the way there

After messing around all morning with the DivX support this is what I found

Pros:
-Finally DivX support (YAY)
-Finally able to watch your favorite DivX movies on a TV or HDTV (with improved visual quality)
-Majority of new files should work (if its new it should work)
-AC3 Audio is supported (YAY for better quality audio)

Cons:
-Apparently only pure DivX works flawlessly (had trouble with some files that apparently had other unknown codecs)
-Several DivX files with additional codecs don't work like H264 (bye bye high quality anime, this one is specifically worrying since the majority of fansubers for highquality use DivX with H264)
-Files with old DivX don't work at all (bye bye old classic anime)
-Some of the lucky old coded DivX files have problems (your old anime or videos that actually works play like crap)

while its good to finally have a DivX codec support a more complete support would have been a LOT better specially for the downloading and anime aficionados, I specifically found a HUGE bummer that old DivX is not supported cuz there is the chance that if you have been downloading for a long time or have classics they simply wont work and if you wanna watch then in your 360 you might have to look for new version and re download (and that sometimes is not available) I also didn't like that DivX didn't worked with h264 on the 360 since h264 is becoming very popular among high quality releases

[OpiZA]

I'm very happy with the support... and while it may not output 5.1 (as per the article, haven't tested since I have a stereo system), it definitely reads 6 channel AC3 files (Tested with Lady in the water) and most likely mixes down to Stereo

[Covenant]

I'm going to test it on my system today...looking forward to all that sweet video goodness.

[Boink]

I was fooling around with it this morning, I'm quite impressed. gonna download some bluray/hddvd rips tonight and test them out:)

[razer]

that there is no extender support.. I don't plan on using it much since it doesn't.. But still major props to MS for listening to it's customers and putting this support in.

[Evil Rant Monkey]

I woke up this morning to test out the functionality. Downloaded the update, restarted the system. To make a long story short, I no longer have an option to detect my local pc in the media blade or the system options blade. I still have the wmc option, but no pc option.

[kewlkat007]

"Yeah... you must stream them through Windows media player 11. I think it's even easier than going through Media Center Extender. In the media bar under "Videos" you should see the option to change the source by pressing X. if your PC(s) is/are hooked up to your network they should show up.

Only DivX 5 and upward is supported. "

That's what you'll have to do now. Which is not an issue, if you store the movies on an External/Flash or your computer streaming them, which I was doing with the PS3 using Tversity. Can't wait to go home and try some movies.

[Evil Rant Monkey]

I didn't really want to go the way of WMP11 or Zune, but if i must. I was using windows media connect b4 for music, but i guess it doesn't work anymore.

[Nameless]

I hope there will be more updates to support older versions of Divx. This is a step in the right direction. The only way the Delaystation 3's Divx & Xvid's update can out do this update is if that supports all versions of Divx if & before Microsoft updates the 360 to support all versions & of course the Delaystation 3 will have to let you play the files right from the DVD Drive using a CD or DVD.

[aiphanes]

Sony just needed more time to implement the DIVX\Xvid into the firmware...they are still testing...microsoft did jump the gun on them...but that is ok...at least both platforms will support divx\xvid....which is awesome...both will get better in the future...I still like the way the PS3 XMB treats videos...you can see the first 10 secs preview in the little windows...cool..But I am glad the Xbox 360 can not do divx\xvid....Sony better support 5.1 sound!

[romaink]

I tested about 5 videos this morning and the 5.1 AC3 surround sound works! Did they even test this thing before posting?

Edit: Gizmodo just made the correction: "AC3 Audio is supported. Nice! AC3 support was added in the Spring Update, but it's nice to see it working with DivX/XviD. 5.1 is supported!"

and... this post is about the 360... not the PS3! stop being a hater!
surround sound from xvid/divx vids work perfectly!
if it doesn't work for you, your file may be encoded with mp3 or you need to check your receiver

[Mikey_Gee]

Do you think you have something to prove or do you just enjoy the sound of your own voice.

If you are trying to impress anyone with you close-minded avengalistic approach ... we sir ... you have failed !!

Enjoy your wait, it seems "We just need more time" is getting to be a common quote.

I have ZERO against the PS3, but folks with your mindset ... well that is a different story.

[Nameless]

This update now allows the XBOX 360 to do both Divx & Xvid right ? You are making DJ look good & like I said the only way Sony can beat Microsoft with their update is if their update supports all versions of Divx right there & then.

[darthv72]

that divx 3.11 doesnt work on the 360 even though it plays back fine on a PC. Maybe they will address that in a patch?

edit: I will just re-encode my 3.11 files to 5 which shouldnt take to long.

[Mikey_Gee]

... has already got a few of my media junkie buds at work buying a 360. I know I am loving it. My 1 TB hard drive combined with this is really putting a HUGE SMILE on my face.

Thanks MS .... much appreciated.