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Summary: If you have problems playing back the DivX file, here is a detailed guide on how to open it. Besides downloading DivX codec, or relying on outdated troubleshooting steps, you can find an overall best solution that works in 2024.
What are DivX files? DivX codecs are discontinued video codecs developed by the DivX company. It was widely used in network video distribution, digital media playback, and video storage because it could compress videos to save bandwidth while maintaining good quality.
DivX codec (MPEG-4 Part 2) was initially contained in ASF and AVI. From DivX6, they introduced a DMF (DivX Media Format) container with the extension of .divx. DMF supports features similar to DVD-video and VOB containers. DivX Plus HD is rather a marketing name. It is generally sealed in MKV, with the DivX H.264 Codec (MPEG-4 Part 10).
The company also sold DivX-enabled devices in their heydays, and they even hit the 1 billion DivX Device milestone in 2013 after being acquired by Rovi.
Although DivX is no longer the most advanced technology these days, many users still have legacy videos encoded with DivX, especially those old videos and DVD rips.
How to Open DivX File
In most cases, free media players like VLC, KMPlayer, and GOM Player can open DivX files for smooth playback. However, in specific scenarios, some users might encounter issues where the media player displays a connecting message or prompts them to download a compatible codec for DivX file playback.
Besides opening DivX files on your computer, there are times when you might want to share the file with others, upload it to online video platforms and social media, enjoy playback on mobile phones on the go, or store it on open-source media systems like Jellyfin. Using a media player cannot fix compatibility problems for every scenario.
Download and Install DivX Codec
When searching for solutions to open a DivX file, I found some resources that recommend downloading ffdshow, a DirectShow filter from the Windows platform. Other methods include downloading the DivX codec or using a DivX-compatible media player.
Regarding the DivX codec, after digging on Google and testing various links, I found that the latest information about the DivX codec from the DivX company was updated on August 18, 2014. The link they provided to download the legacy DivX Codec Pack no longer works.
I also see other bloggers recommending downloading DivX codec v10.8.6 for Windows and Mac, or the K-Lite Codec Pack for Windows. However, clicking on the link (https://www.divx.com/downloads/divx) reveals that the page no longer exists. It will redirect you to the DivX homepage.
Although we can keep digging and probably find some third-party resources that still host the legacy codec pack, the question remains: is it worth the time and effort to fix the problem using some outdated troubleshooting steps?
We can set aside this question for later. For now, let's try a more effective method that aligns with how we do things currently, rather than relying on outdated fixes from the 2000s or 2010s.
The Best Solution: Convert DivX Codec to Compatible Format
Considering the time and efforts invested in fixing the problems and aiming for the best compatibility, no matter whether you want to playback DivX, share the DivX video with other people, upload it to online platforms, or send it to media servers, the overall best solution is to convert DivX codec to a more compatible format in modern days.
To get started, you simply install and launch the professional video processing software – VideoProc Converter AI. It runs on both Windows and Mac computers.
Note: The Windows version now supports AI-powered Super Resolution, Frame Interpolation, and Stabilization to enhance video and image quality. These AI features are not yet available in the Mac version but will be coming soon.
VideoProc Converter AI supports 370+ video formats, including mainstream and rare codecs for all kinds of scenarios. Besides video conversion, it also has a toolkit to compress, download, and record videos, rip DVDs, and AI-enhance video and images to higher resolution with deep-learning algorithms.
Step 1. Go to the Video Converter module from the home screen.
Step 2. Add DivX videos into the working panel and choose the MP4/H264 target format.
Step 3. Tweak export settings and hit Run.
You can enable the option to "Use High Quality Engine" for best visual qualities.
Note: You can check video metadata info in VideoProc Converter AI conveniently. Simply click the Information icon next to the video name, as shown in the screenshot below. As you can see, the source video is encoded in DivX.
After converting to H264/MP4, the video will be encoded in H264, which is one of the most widely used video codecs these days. Anyone you share the file with, whether it's a friend or client, shouldn't have any issues playing the video.
Besides converting DivX, it is also the best Xvid video converter for .avi, .mpg, .mkv and many other formats.
Bonus Tips: AI Enhance DivX videos to UHD Quality
Though DivX company released a format that supports 1080p videos later, there are still tons of precious content, documentaries, and DVD rips encoded in the early years in low resolution. It's common to see 352x240, 640x480, 720x480, 720x576 and 1280x720 videos.
These resolutions are far from enough in the modern-day context where 1080p and 4k are the norms.
The good news is that the Super Resolution tool in VideoProc Converter AI is dedicated to restoring old videos to higher quality. Instead of simply blowing up the pixels, it uses deep learning algorithms to enhance the video, making it clearer and sharper.
You can upscale low-resolution DivX videos to 1080p and higher.
Media Player for DivX Video Playback
• VLC Media Player
OS: Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS
VLC is free open-source media player. It readily supports DivX® (1/2/3/4/5/6) and can playback AVI, MKV, MP4, and other video formats.
• KMPlayer (KMP)
OS: Windows, Mac, iOS, Android (KMPlayer Plus)
KMP is a korean-based media player with global users. It supports DivX, XviD, MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, Theora, WMV, and many more. Please note that the free version has ads built-in.
• DivX Player:
OS: Windows, Mac
DivX Player is the official tool released from the DivX company. It supports DivX, AVI, MKV, and HEVC. Note that there are ads banner on the interface of the media player. The Pro version comes without ads.
