Hey all... DIVX is making another attack... Check out http://www.dvdresource.com/ We must start the
e-mail campaign NOW and stop Wal-Mart... (I'd really hate to have to boycott the only store I ever go to) Remember... Be nice. cussing them out won't do any good. Thanks...

Down with DIVX! :-)

I to am a strong opposer of DIVX

I hate the discs, the players, and the salesmen who try to tell people they are the same as DVD

I am glad to see that now that DIVX is begining to crash (it hasn't caught on at least), only months after its release, that some o9f the studios who were signed on as DIVX-only manufacturers have hopped on with DVD makers

What are you taking about Wal-Mart, when I went to my local Wal-Mart 2 days ago they were only selling DVDs (limited selection) and no DIVX discs!

THIS MAY SOUND RIDICULOUS TO YOU, BUT WHAT IS THE PROBLEM WITH DIVX? I AM JUST STARTING TO LOOK FOR A HIGH END DVD PLAYER AND COULD USE SOME SUGGESTIONS....THANK-YOU

Pan & Scan for one. You won't see a widescreen version at all on DIVX. Also, no "extras" such as trailers, etc. Another thing is I like to take some DVD's over to a friend's house and watch them there.

The lack of widescreen format in DIVX is pure stupidity as widescreen IS the format for HDTV as it rolls out.
In addition, if they can't do wide screen, how do they plan on doing MLP audio discs, seeing as that is about to become the method for audi encoding.
As far as selecting a high end DVD/?? player, I'd hang out until after CES as that's where the new models will be introduced so savvy dealers should have the real scoop back at their shops mid/late January. I'm told that Sony will introduce players with MLP at CES. For anyone not familiar, MLP (Meridian Lossless Packet) is the new DVD multi-channel audio format. Lossless is the magic, as compared to DD, DTS, MPEG which are all lossy formats. I'm further told that Sony has already done the chip design for MLP and will roll out in early 1999. Of course Meridian will likely introduce players at CES as well seeing as it is their format and their processors already support it. I hope this helps in making (holding off on making) a decision until the smoke clears a bit more.

my 2 cents on divx.... if they offered wide screen it would be a perfect format. and guess what, they are going to release some wide screen titles very soon if not already. i have a runco digital projector with 12 foot screen plus all the pricy boxes to make it sound good, and quite honestly i prefer the impact of the big 4:3 image over 2:35 widescreen. its just too thin. 1:85 is the best compromise format. even with the better anamorphic picture its too skinny, unless you view it in a good theatre where its big and engulfing. sure pan and scan isnt the way it was meant to be seen but on small tv, bigger is better not to mention those gray top and bottom areas which are distracting.(i have masks on my 12 foot screen now) so for me divx is great and the new machines are on the money with dts etc. so there!

How could anyone even consider buying a DIVX player? Why would you want to pay a fee each time you watch a movie? Although you can convert a DIVX disk to unlimited viewing, that is only on that specific player. Take that disk into the bedroom or to a friend's house and you'll have to pay another fee! Keep in mind Circuit City is the only store pushing DIVX -- and that's only because their CEO invented it!

Down with DIVX!!

To be honest, DIVX would be fine only as an alternate to renting. The problem is, that's not how CC stores are marketing it - they'd prefer DIVX be the dominant format, where every time you want to watch part or the whole of a movie you pay. Or pay more than a comparible Open DVD to convert to "silver" status. That's not for me.

cmon boys, dont confuse the issue. if you want to buy a dvd then buy open.otherwise consider divx as a good rental scheme.

C'mon, I can rent DVDs cheaper than buying a DIVX disc. What about the convenience factor that that jerk Sharp keeps talking about? I can get DVD's at thousands of store/rental outlets. You have to live near CC or Good Guys/Ultimate (about 750 locations nationwide) to have access to DIVX discs. So much for the rhetoric about "no return" trips. That is just as inconvenient (actually moreso).

DIVX is a bad idea, borne only of greed. It should finally die now as DVD flourishes.

jeff, do you think the dvd wasnt invented and marketed out of greed. by huge corps. or are they just nice guys. and if divx was in every rental store as theyd like to be, then the only drawback is an extra buck, well worth workin another ten minutes for, a? why so hostile towards a piece o plastic?

Well, if you want your viewing habits tracked, your privacy made available to any marketer for a price, your DIVX movies restricted by the company that released it for any reason it deems reasonable (don't believe me, read that DIVX agreement), then sure, go for DIVX. But for people who like their privacy, the ability to bring discs over to friends houses and not have to pay to watch their favorite movie, and the ability to know that the movie is truly yours, OPEN DVD is the ONLY way to go!

Besides, I'll rent from NetFlix on the 'net and be able to watch my movie for a week rather than have to go somewhere and "buy" a DIVX disc which I can only watch initially for 2 days!

Besides, that "extra buck" after 4 movies is another movie I could rent from NetFlix!

mike in mi, you are quite right about privacy, although millions of dss viewers including me dont mind a stranger knowing i watched dumb and dumber twelve times. they monitor you too. i tried netflix and its not bad but it is a hassle. i dont have a divx problem but this is what made america great..........options

I know a guy that works for one of the companies that worked on the DIVX format. The original idea was conceived by a law firm. I believe they still own a stake in DIVX. I forget the name but it's a firm in LA.

No good can come from this! ;-}