Why doesn't TTG 2.4 support DivX/Xvid?

[gconnery]

Even if they are using Quicktime to do the conversion, I have Quicktime Pro with the MPEG-2 plugin AND the DivX codec installed, allowing Quicktime to author MPEG-2 from DivX. So why can't TTG Desktop 2.4 support DivX?

Similarly, there is an Xvid plugin for Quicktime. Why doesn't TTG 2.4 support Xvid?

[gconnery]

Okay wishlist for TTG 2.5: folders shown as folders, DivX and Xvid. Support meta data attached to MPEG-2 files in a documented format. Stop Release.

[CheezWiz]

Tivo Press Release:
"TiVo subscribers will be able to choose from a variety of free downloadable content such as music videos, video podcasts and user generated content. This new software, TiVo Desktop Plus 2.4, will support video content downloaded to PCs running Windows XP in formats such as QuickTime, Windows Media Video, and MPEG-4. "

The generic use of "MPEG-4" implied Divx/Xvid support to me. My DVD player supports "MPEG-4" and plays Divx/Xvid files. Considering that Divx and Xvid are easily the most widely distributed form of Internet video, how could they leave it out?

MPEG-4 WIKI says it all:
"MPEG-4 is still a developing standard and is divided into a number of parts. Unfortunately the companies promoting MPEG-4 compatibility do not always clearly state which "part" level compatibility. The key parts to be aware of are MPEG-4 part 2 (MPEG-4 SP/ASP, used by codecs such as DivX, XviD and 3ivx and by Quicktime 6) and MPEG-4 part 10 (MPEG-4 AVC/H.264, used by the x264 codec, by Quicktime 7, and by next-gen DVD formats like HD DVD and Blu-ray Disc)."

[Dan203]

It does support MPEG-4, it just has to be in an MP4 container. Unfortunately most DivX/Xvid videos are in an AVI container, so they do not work with the current method.

If you can find software that can remux a DivX/Xvid AVI to an MP4 then it would probably work. Unfortunately I looked around and the only programs I could find which supported MP4 wanted to transcode the video and not just remultiplex it.

Dan

[Dan203]

OK I searched around a bit more and actually found a program that can do it!

http://yamb.unite-video.com/download.html

Grab the installer version, it has everything you need. (the other one requires a seperate commandline tool)

The only problem is that QuickTime can't play MP4s with MP3 audio, so if your DivX/Xvid files have MP3 audio you'll have to extract the audio stream, convert it to AAC, then use that to mux in with the video. Kind of a pain considering TiVo.net and pyTiVo can do that without the extra steps.

Edit: Just tested and AC3 audio does not work either. :(

Dan

[gconnery]

Well, you'll just be shocked then that all of the Xvid stuff I've got has an mp3 audio track, so I'm not sure how much use this is going to be. As you say, I can convert the elementary stream manually, but since Videora Tivo Converter already supports Xvid/DivX I don't see why this path is better...

The good news is that I'm now closer to having all formats supported with either implicit support from TTG 2.4 or Videora. Which I guess I can live with for now.

Not too surprised by the AC-3 myself, given that it generally requires a license fee. Of course AC-3 is going to be the most common format for a ripped DVD as well, which means you kind of want it. As you say, you can convert the audio, but really...