X360 Downloadable Codec Packs - Good Idea?

[scooby_dooby]

What do you guys think of the idea of having downloadable codec packs for the X360?

I was talking with a friend and we were wondering why not simply offer an XVid/DivX/Mov codec pack from XBLive marketplace for the tune of $5-10?

If it's licensing issues, surely the authors of these codecs (maybe not apple but whatever) would be interested in making a cut, and I don't think the consumer would mind paying a few bucks to enable full video support(or close to it).

Feasible? Likely? What do you think?

 

["Nerve-Damage"]

What do you guys think of the idea of having downloadable codec packs for the X360?

I was talking with a friend and we were wondering why not simply offer an XVid/DivX/Mov codec pack from XBLive marketplace for the tune of $5-10?

If it's licensing issues, surely the authors of these codecs (maybe not apple but whatever) would be interested in making a cut, and I don't think the consumer would mind paying a few bucks to enable full video support(or close to it).

Feasible? Likely? What do you think?

Microsoft will never go for it, a couple reasons being, it’s a competing format against there own DRM-WMV. And those other formats don’t offer any security features against pirated movies, which would have Hollywood knocking at Microsoft door in heart a beat.

 

[scooby_dooby]

WHat does pirated movies have to do with anything? Both these formats are preferred methods for backing up your digital video files, that's a perfectly legit and very realistic intended use for these codecs.

I don't see how WMV offers anymore protection against pirated movies either, it's not like DivX can't be transcoded to WMV.

You probably have a point with your first staement, but would allowing DivX support on a niche player like X360 really have any effect on file formats in the PC realm? I just can't see it having any impact whatsoever on the success or failiure of WMV. It seems the positives (more consoles sold + profit) outweigh the negatives (which I can't really see any), I mean if WMV succeeds as being the new standard it will do so on it's own merits, and will not be influenced by whether alternative formats are supported on a video game console.

The truth is, WMV will never be the preferred method of archiving files as DivX and especially XVid offer much much better compression, so they're really fighting a losing battle here anyways.

 

[Guden Oden]

WHat does pirated movies have to do with anything?

Obviously you do not think like a Hollywood suit...

Do you really even need to ask that question?

 

[scooby_dooby]

I'm not seeing the connection here.

Pirated movies can be converted to WMV, many pirated videos exist already in WMV format.

And movie can be converted to any format, so how is supporting DivX any worse for "pirating' than supporting WMV? They are just 2 diferent encoding types.

Is the argument simply that DivX is more prevelant in downloaded video's than other formats? And by that logic, if WMV became the most widely used format for pirated video's, would they then stop supporting WMV?

And if the discussion is really focused on "movie" pirating specifically, then I would point out the majority of quality pirated movies exists in either MPEG2 style dvd-rips, or MPEG1 style vcd's, both if which are playable on x360 I believe. Most DivX files are TV shows not movies.

 

["Nerve-Damage"]

Most DivX files are TV shows not movies.

We must be surfing in different circles!

Anyhow, if Microsoft was ever to offer movie downloads on their networks (which they hinted at), they will not risk their neck over non-secure content formats like DIVX, XVID, and ECT when storing movie content on the X-360 hard drive. Yes, you can convert Divx formatted movies over to a WMV file and bypass DRM altogether. Microsoft isn’t to worried about that per-se; it’s the other way around. Meaning; Microsoft isn’t going to be responsible for tons (thousands) of illegal DIVX files being uploaded too Xbox 360 so easily without any type of minimal security feature which DIVX and the others don’t provide. Microsoft DRM-WMV at least tries…yes its not perfect…however its effective enough against the average customer.

 

[digitalwanderer]

We must be surfing in different circles!

I sometimes wonder if I cruise the same internet as a lot of people here too...

 

[scooby_dooby]

Hmm, I guess that makes sense, you're saying they need something with DRM on their downloadable content, so that they can have some control over the files, and make sure they're not easily shared (i.e. everyone must purchase their own copy)?

I'm still not seeing how this relates to allowing streaming video from the PC. By nature when streaming the video file resides on the users PC, meaning they have already aquired it, and they could not easily share that file with another user using the XBOX. The file is never copied to the xbox.

On a sidenote - They are already offering some DL video content, I dl'ed a 720p video of Audioslave (~300mb) from marketplace for free, very nice quality, one of my friends remarked "Almost looks 3d"

 

[Guden Oden]

I'm not seeing the connection here.

Yes, like I said, you're not thinking like these suits. It doesn't matter that people can make non-DRM'd WMVs, what matter is there are thousands/tens of thousands of various pirated non-WMV files out there with pirated content, and MS doesn't want to simply open up the door for all that crap to come flooding into their system. They'd never do it, not in a million years.

You have to remember this is the company that seriously entertained the idea of making their OSes subscription-based and if yours ran out, wave buh bye to using your PC until you fork over more cash to Billy Boy.

 

[scooby_dooby]

I dunno Guden, I listened to a radio interview with major nelson a couple months ago, and they had the extender guy talking, and he said specifically that the X360 would support whatever codecs were installed on the MCE.

He said something like "Now that I think about it, there are a few files I can't play on the 360, but for the most part it wil use the codecs on your CME machine"

So this was something they HAD planned on doing, I'm not sure why it got scrapped but I would guess technical problems since only a couple months ago it's something they had planned to support.

 

[Joe DeFuria]

...and MS doesn't want to simply open up the door for all that crap to come flooding into their system. They'd never do it, not in a million years.

I have to agree with others and say this doesn't make much sense. Nothing would come "flooded into their system." It's not like the material is downloaded to the Xbox360 hard drive.

You have to remember this is the company that seriously entertained the idea of making their OSes subscription-based and if yours ran out, wave buh bye to using your PC until you fork over more cash to Billy Boy.

No matter how "seriously" it may have been entertained (which we'll never know)...you seem to forget that it didn't happen.

 

["Nerve-Damage"]

I have to agree with others and say this doesn't make much sense. Nothing would come "flooded into their system." It's not like the material is downloaded to the Xbox360 hard drive.



No matter how "seriously" it may have been entertained (which we'll never know)...you seem to forget that it didn't happen.

Yes, streaming of DIVX, XVID, and other AVI compression formats may not seem like a bad ideal to do. Even if Microsoft were too entertain supporting these compressions formats only for streaming purposes. It still would show them (Microsoft) indirectly supporting non-secure formats which Hollywood doesn’t particularly like or want. Microsoft doesn’t need that type of heat, especially a company that’s all about protecting digital content, IP, and so fourth.

 

[scooby_dooby]

But you can make an extremely strong and logical case for supporting DivX as the ideal method for archiving and storing your digital collection. Anyone serious about building a digital library, would likely encode everything to DivX or XVID to save HDD space, that's a very realistic and legal practice.

It's not as if DivX is solely used for pirating, so I don't see how Hollywood has a leg to stand on in this debate. I mean they still sell VCR's right?

I dunno, I don't think MS is too worried about Hollywood, I think it's more of a technical/licensing issue than anything else.

 

[scooby_dooby]

New Poll on divX.com
http://www.divx.com/?vo=289

Are you going to buy (or have you already bought) an Xbox 360?
Yes

31%
No

46%

 

[scooby_dooby]

I emailed DivX they responded, but didn't say much...

Customer (Shawn Blais)11/28/2005 10:44 PM
I was wondering if you will be offering downloadable DivX Codecs from Xbox Live marketplace for users with the XBOX 360?

Users would surely pay $5-10 to enable streaming DivX files, it seems like a great opportunity. You could offer them on XBLive as an official download.

Response (LamaMamma)11/29/2005 04:07 PMG
Great idea! I will forward this idea to our Engineering Department. Thanks!

DivX Support