Xvid

Xvid is a video codec library that follows the MPEG-4 standard. It also adapts to specific standards such as the MPEG-4 Part 2 Advanced Simple Profile or ASP. There are different ASP features used by the Xvid Codec including global and quarter pixel motion compensation, b-frames, masking, LUMI, Trellis quantization, MPEG, H.263 and other custom quantization matrices.

Xvid presents itself as a direct competitor to the DivX Pro Codec. The main difference between these two competitors is that Xvid is available to any individual because it is considered free software. The distribution of the Xvid Codec is guarded under General Public License terms. On the other hand, DivX is proprietary software that the company called DivX, Inc. developed.

The primary advantage of Xvid against its competitor is that the user does not have to pay for its use. Given that it is obtained without charge, it is a package that is compatible with numerous hardware devices. Even with its free distribution, current users find that the codec provides good quality and performance that can surpass competitor products.

Because the Xvid codec is widely supported by multiple hardware devices, the users can come up with videos that can be operated in portable or home multimedia technology devices.

Xvid used to be only compatible with the PC. With its increased popularity, it is now available on different platforms such as Linux, Windows, Mac, Mac OS X, and iMac.

The only problem that the open source Xvid is faced with is the fact that it uses many patented technologies. Some of its versions were not licensed because of this, especially in countries that strictly enforce patent laws. This only means that there may be certain local laws that will legally restrict the use of Xvid.

Because of the patent concerns faced by Xvid, its official website is not able to provide binary versions of the codec. The user can only find links to other supporting websites that will provide codec software that are compatible with Windows and Microsoft.