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DivX versus Xvid
When conducting a search for information about the DivX codec, it would seem that the person leading the search will have to wade through quite a considerable amount of confusing and sometimes misleading information concerning the DivX codec and its history.
One area that never ceases to confuse people is the history and bad blood that exists between the DivX company and its rival, Xvid. Eagle eyed readers will have probably noted that there is a striking degree of similarity between the name of the two companies and this is entirely intentional, serving as a reminder of the close bond that the members of both organisations once had. The bitter irony here is that it is precisely that closeness that now drives them further apart.
The DivX codec initially began its life as a ripped file from the Microsoft MPEG-4 Version 2 video codec and then later was remade entirely from scratch (allegedly) by the DivX company. Up until this period of time, DivX codec had been entirely free of charge, and the proposals to make it a commercial product infuriated many of the development team. Therefore, in order to maintain true to the original roots of the program, they left the DivX project and sought to develop the software on their own.
The key difference between the DivX and Xvid companies is that where as the DivX seeks to charge a fee for their services (and a rather steep one at that) the Xvid company is quite content to offer their services for free. If you are wondering as to why on earth the Xvid company would provide their hard work for nothing, the answer is simple: to prove themselves superior to their former friends and colleagues at DivX as well as cut into their profit margins. Revenge is sweet!
Jerome Rota: the man who betrayed them all
. In some circles, dubbed the “Judas Iscariot of the Digital Age”, Rota has managed to alienate himself from a significant proportion of the people who assisted him in reaching his lofty position that he enjoys to this day. In an appalling and audacious act of sheer greed and personal vanity, Rota has turned his [...]
Jerome Rota – Copyright Hero
To some, Jerome Rota is something of a folk hero, a legend of the modern era who managed to finally drive home the message to increasingly oppressive corporate tactics: we can beat you, and your insignificant copyright protections. To others, he is the man who ended up becoming the very thing that he had initially [...]
DivX Codec – First Steps
In a prime example of the student surpassing the master, the DivX codec initially began its life as a legitimate video codec package released by the world’s leading software company, Microsoft. An innovative and inquisitive French software cracker by the name of Jerome Rota was somewhat disgruntled with the limited features on offer with the [...]