Sony to distribute content in DivX format

Sony Pictures Television announced today that online retailers will soon be able to offer Sony content for download in DivX format. The news came as part of a partnership with DivX, Inc. that will also let those files be playable on DivX Certified devices. "We are dedicated to finding legitimate outlets for our content and to that end are excited to be working with DivX to provide retailers with an expanded ecosystem for the digital distribution and playback of our digital media," said Sony Pictures executive VP of Digital Distribution & Mobile Entertainment, Michael Arrieta.

[Darkiewonder]

Can they add it to the newly yet not announced revamped PSN store? thanks.

[LinuxGuru]

Yeah, hopefully something like this would be integrated into the PS Store.

[mighty_douche]

They're working hard on their Divx support huh, not like some other companies.....

[jaja1434]

Last I check the "other company" play Divx just fine. Stop trying to start another silly flame war.

[eagle21]

Hell YEAH! It's the Best way. Sony ftw!

[faisdotal]

Now that's cool.

You wouldn't feel so restricted anymore.

[vybes]

If I'm not mistaken , this news is REALLY big. This is a good first step to legal DRM free digital distribution I can watch on my LCDTV.

[Maddens Raiders]

Mach speed now. DRM free is the only way guys.

[killax3563]

...so much news about the ps3 and Blu-ray. Its almost too much to digest. Well, CES just happened so I guess it figures.

[DJ]

Sony's entire IPTV service will rely on Divx video, and essentially revive what the original goal of Divx was. But I do wonder how much control they're going to keep over this content.

Will they allow us to move our purchased video content onto Memory Sticks and USB Drives in order to put them on our PCs? Or are they going to take the normal PSN route and allow a certain amount of data transfers for each file?

The author of the article made a slight error in stating that Microsoft "beat Sony to the punch" since the 360 can only stream Divx files off a PC with the help of a program like Windows Media; it can't actually store them and read those files from its hard drive. PS3 can do both.

[darthv72]

can play divx from cd, dvd, flash drive, ext hard drive and of course...stream from networked pc. Storing the divx content on its own drive...pointless. I would rather it be available for me to take and play it on any divx capable system. Be it the ps3 or pc or even the wii (you know it is coming).

[LinuxGuru]

meh...I would rather have my divx content there on my PS3's hard drive whenever I want to play it, and also have the option to take it with me (which I do)

So, even though it took a little longer, PS3 owners ended up with more freedom of choice in regards to how divx content was played and stored.

[whoelse]

Now please update the PS Store this year Sony and offer videos in DivX there!

[Lord Anubis]

streaming divx from sony or other website is what I'm after. Divx support 1080 and surround sound in the same file.

[HarryEtTubMan]

It's like Sony was waiting for 2008 to unleash the beast.

[whoelse]

I wish we could stream videos and music with the browser when you download them just like with the PS Store.

[darthv72]

does this mean all videos for their service will be divx hd much like the 360 uses wmv hd? Who would be responsible for creating the content/format? I am sure MS takes the content provided by the studios and encodes it into wmv so would that same task be done by sony or do you think that will be done by the studios directly?

edit: considering the 360 ability to play divx...and IF the studios create the content in divx directly...are there chances that the studios could make one format for the content and have it be distributed on both platforms?

[roybatty]

Everyone knows that.

I remember before the PS3 got full DivX the Xbots were trying to talk it down (yawn again) saying that 360 already had it. But it doesn't.
It only streams media. And that sucks.

Full native DivX support for the PS3 is going to be an interesting weapon of the future DD market I think.

[darthv72]

"streaming" is just another name for "playing" only it seems to be more hip to use. Think if you had all that content within the ps3, you would be limited to playing it back from the ps3 where as if you had it on external source you could play it on other divx certified devices.

The ability to store the content internally is insignificant compaired to being able to actually play it.

[LinuxGuru]

So darth, you automatically assume that all people who store divx on hard drives do not have, nor can they afford, a flash drive or external HDD or something of the sort?

Get your head outta your ass.

[actas123]

I think in the near future we'll be able to use PS3 browser to buy and download different movies and episodes from online video retailers like the newly launched amazons video place.

[jorellpogi]

That's great! DivX is an added perk of having a PS3.

[whoelse]

Maybe Sony should buy DivX company with all the money they will be getting back from Blu-ray.

[sajj316]

I was thinking the exact same thing. Divx aquisition would do things...

1. Ensure codec for HD format for all things Sony and beyond

2. Scale back / remove Divx support on the 360. Microsoft already has WMV HD.

I have this feeling that the HD media format (Blue Ray) is not the end goal here ... Microsoft's aim was always digital distribution. Even Sir Howard Stringer mentioned the plan for 08 and beyond be to battle the software companies.

[sajj316]

How will Sony ensure that the video divx downloads are not cracked and redistributed? Is there any point to adding security measures as they eventually are rendered ineffective. Whatever Sony's plan is going forward with digital content will be divx powered. It only makes sense. One would even conclude that the blue ray rips will also be divx driven. PSP with divx support coming is inevitable. I just have questions on their policy if I wanted to play the same divx movie on my PC HDD as well as my PS3 HDD.

[Nik]

I don't get it. VC-1 > DivX, no?

[grimygunz]

VC1 files are 3-4 times bigger than divx files. divx can take a 4.7 gb dvd and make it into 700mb with exteamly little quality loss. while still providing 5.1 surrond sound support and 1080i

[Arkham]

The article incorrectly implies that MS and Sony are supporting DivX in the same way. The reality is that only Sony has complete and official DivX *certification* while the Xbox can only play DivX files.

Big difference. Actually, game development-wise and media-wise, it's a HUGE difference.