Introduction
1.1
About the DivX FAQ
1.2
Finding the latest version of the DivX FAQ
1.3
I'm still having problems after reading the DivX FAQ
Requirements
2.1 Software needed to play DivX movies in Windows
2.2 Hardware requirements to play DivX movies
2.3 Lowering image quality to reduce skipping
2.4 Lowering image resolution to reduce skipping
2.5 Using older DivX codec to reduce skipping
Install problems
3.1 DivX codec installation problem: INF file not found
3.2 DivX codec installation problem: Installation disk missing
3.3 DivX codec installation problem: Installation failed
3.4 DivX codec installation problem: Windows XP compatibility
3.5 File progress window freezes
Playback problems
4.1 DivX movies won't play and I don't know why
4.2 Incomplete DivX movies won't play in Windows Media Player
4.3 No picture, I get no video when playing DivX movies
4.4 No sound, I get no audio when playing DivX movies
4.5 Picture freezes, but sound keeps going when playing DivX movies
4.6 Picture is too dark when playing DivX movies
4.7 Picture is upside down when playing DivX movies
4.8 Picture and sound is having problems with skipping
4.9 Sound is too low when playing DivX movies
Common questions
5.1 What is a codec?
5.2 What is the DivX codec?
5.3 Where can I download DivX movies? NEW
5.4 What size are full-length DivX movies?
5.5 Is it possible to play DivX movies in a DVD-player?
5.6 Is it possible to play DivX movies on my TV?
5.7 What is the difference between Fast-Motion and Low-Motion?
Error messages (Windows Media Player)
6.1 Unable to download an appropriate decompressor
6.2 Unable to render video: DIV3 decompressor not found
6.3 Unable to render video: DIV4 decompressor not found
6.4 Unable to render video: DIVX decompressor not found
6.4 Unable to render video: DX50 decompressor not found
6.5 Unable to render video: MP43 decompressor not found
6.6 Unable to render video: XVID decompressor not found
6.7 No combination of filters could be found to render the stream
6.8 The file format is invalid
Introduction
1.1 About the DivX FAQ
The DivX FAQ is intended to answer common questions about the DivX codec and provide helpful information and tips on fixing common problems. The DivX FAQ may not be published at any other website without permission. Duplication of links or content is strictly prohibited. It is written and maintained by the webmaster of http://www.divxmovies.com/.
1.2 Finding the latest version of the DivX FAQ
The latest version of the DivX FAQ will always be available at .
1.3 I'm still having problems after reading the DivX FAQ
First of all, browse through the FAQ to make sure that your problem isn't already covered. In particular we recommend reading section 4.1, which describes the most common reasons why DivX movies won't play. If you still aren't able to find the solution to your problem, try asking in the DivX Movies Forums.
Requirements
2.1 Software needed to play DivX movies in Windows
In order to play DivX movies you need to install the DivX codec, DirectX and a media player which supports the codec. We recommend using Windows Media Player 6.4 or higher to play DivX movies. For information how to install the DivX codec, goto the DivX codec section.
2.2 Hardware requirements to play DivX movies
All that is needed is a fast enough computer. We don't know the exact minimum requirements, but anything less than a Pentium 300MHz running Windows 9X/NT/2000/XP is likely to encounter problems with skipping. For AMD K6/K6-2 computers we have found that the minimum requirements are higher and we recommend at least an AMD K6-2 400MHz for proper playback.
2.3 Lowering image quality to reduce skipping
If your computer isn't fast enough to play DivX movies it is possible to change the image quality. Goto the File menu in Windows Media Player and select Properties (make sure that you have a DivX movie loaded or the Properties option will be disabled). Then click the Advanced tab and select the "DivX MPEG-4 DVD Video Decompressor", then click Properties. A new window with a slider which ranges from CPU to DVD Video will be displayed. If you move the slider to the left your computer will compromise some of the image quality, but instead you will get less skipping. If you move the slider to the right your computer will display the DivX movie at full quality, but it will be slower to decode and might start to skip. We recommend users to not change this setting unless they are having playback problems.
Please note that the above instructions only work in Windows Media Player v6.4. If your system has a newer version of Windows Media Player installed you can still access the older version to make the needed changes. Simply goto the Start menu in Windows, select "Run..." and enter "mplayer2" in the box. Then click the OK button to start Windows Media Player v6.4.
2.4 Lowering image resolution to reduce skipping
If you're having problems with skipping you can also try lowering your desktop resolution to 640x480 and see if it helps.
2.5 Using older DivX codec to reduce skipping
If you're still having problems with skipping you can try and uninstall the DivX codec v5.2.1 and reinstall the DivX codec v3.11 alpha on your computer. Even though the latest version of the DivX codec is backwards compatible with the original DivX codec it isn't as optimized for playback of DivX v3.x movies, so the original version of the codec is faster. This solution should be combined with the ones described in section 2.3 and 2.4.
Install problems
3.1 DivX codec installation problem: INF file not found
All files in divx_3.11alpha.zip need to be unzipped before it is possible to begin the installation of the DivX codec. Otherwise the installation program won't find the needed DivX.inf file. Instead of double clicking Register_DivX.exe in WinZip, unzip the files to a directory and then right click on the file "DivX.inf" and choose "Install".
3.2 DivX codec installation problem: Installation disk missing
If you get an error message asking you for the "DivX ;-) MPEG-4 Video Codec Install Disk" you need to do the following. When the error message appears, click on the Browse button and goto the directory where you unzipped the DivX codec files. Then simply select the file which is missing and click the OK button to continue the installation.
3.3 DivX codec installation problem: Installation failed
The most common reason for getting this error message is because you are trying to install the DivX codec in Windows NT/2K. The problem is that you don't have administrator privileges. The installation program needs to be able to create some files in the windows system directories as well as update the system registry. Make sure you have these privileges or contact someone who has them to get help.
3.4 DivX codec installation problem: Windows XP compatibility
If you try to install the DivX codec v3.11 alpha in Windows XP, you will get a warning message stating that the software didn't pass the compatibility test. Windows XP will also warn you that installing the software could cause damage to your system. To our knowledge this warning is unfounded and installing the DivX codec v3.11 alpha shouldn't cause any problems. We believe that the real reason Windows XP is complaining about this is because the DivX codec v3.11 alpha is a hacked/improved version of a Microsoft codec.
If you want to be on the safe side you should install the DivX codec v5.2.1, which is fully Windows XP compatible. It has been completely rewritten from scratch and contains no Microsoft technology. The only problem you might run into using the DivX codec v5.2.1 is that the audio in some DivX movies will stop working. This can be easily fixed by installing the DivX ;-) audio decompressor separately.
3.5 File progress window freezes
We've had a few reports about this problem and we believe it has something to do with Windows ME (Millennium), since all people with the problem are running this version of Windows. The avoid the progress window from freezing, right click on the DivX.inf file and choose "Install" instead of running Register_DivX.exe directly.
Playback problems
4.1 DivX movies won't play and I don't know why
The most common reason that downloaded movies don't work is because the download is incomplete. To find out if a movie is incomplete you should download GSpot and open the movie you are having problems playing. If the "Stat" field for the file says that the file length is correct the file is complete. If the "Stat" field for the file says that the file is truncated the file is incomplete and you need to resume the download. For information how to watch an incomplete movie, see section 4.2.
If the movie is complete and it still won't work it's probably because you don't have the required codecs installed on your computer. If you're having problems with the video you can find instructions how to determine what video codec is required to play the movie in section 4.3. If you're having problems with the audio you can find instructions how to determine what audio codec is required to play the movie in section 4.4.
If you've got all the required codecs installed on your system and you still can't play the movie it's possible that your installed codecs aren't working properly. We've provided a small DivX video clip with no sound that can be used to test your installation of the DivX codec. Download it and try to watch it, but make sure that it is complete (307200 bytes in size). If you experience the same errors/problems then you can conclude that your installed codec isn't working properly and you need to reinstall the DivX codec. However, if the small DivX video clip plays normally then it is the downloaded movie that is corrupt.
4.2 Incomplete DivX movies won't play in Windows Media Player
There is a program called DivFix which can be used to rebuild the missing index part so that you can watch partially downloaded (incomplete) DivX movies. The program can be downloaded from the Software section. Just remember to strip the index before you resume the download or the file will be completely corrupted and impossible to repair.
4.3 No picture, I get no video when playing DivX movies
This error occurs when you try to watch a movie and the video player you are using is unable to find the needed video codec. You might be able to listen to the sound but no video is shown. Fortunately, there is an easy way to fix this problem. All AVI-files contain a FOURCC code in the header of the file, which can be used to identify the video codec required to play the movie.
To find out which video codec you are missing you should download GSpot and open the movie you are having problems playing. The program will give you information about what codecs are needed to play the movie and if you have them installed on your computer. If you look under the video format section you will see information about the video stream. If you don't have a compatible video codec installed you should be able to use the FOURCC codec to find and download the needed video codec in the following list:
Please note that there doesn't exist any video codec that uses the FOURCC code 0. If you've downloaded a movie with the FOURCC code 0 it's a fake movie file and you won't be able to watch it. To avoid fake movies using KaZaA you can use a program called
sig2dat. Then you simply goto a site such as
ShareTheFiles.com and lookup the movie you want to download. All the files have been verified and should work, so when you follow the sig2dat link your KaZaA will automatically try to find and download the movie.
4.4 No sound, I get no audio when playing DivX movies
First of all, you need to figure out if the problem is with the movie you are trying to play or your system configuration. You can do this by trying to play an MP3 or another movie and see if the sound works. If it does you should keep on reading for more information how to fix the problem. Otherwise you have to figure out what's wrong with your system configuration.
It's important to understand that video and audio are two separate things, which when combined make up movies. A movie consists of a video stream for the picture and an audio stream for the sound. The DivX codec is what makes it possible to decode the video stream, but it has nothing to do with decoding the audio stream. If the sound in a movie isn't working you have to find out which audio codec is missing and install it.
To find out which audio codec you are missing you should download GSpot and open the movie you are having problems playing. The program will give you information about what codecs are needed to play the movie and if you have them installed on your computer. If you look under the audio format section you will see information about the audio stream. If you don't have a compatible audio codec installed you should be able to use the codec name to find and download the needed audio codec in the following list:
Please note that the new DivX codec doesn't include support for the DivX ;-) Audio format, so you won't be able to watch these movies with sound simply using the new DivX codec. The only way to watch these movies with sound is either using the original
DivX codec v3.11 alpha, or by installing the
DivX ;-) audio decompressor separately.
4.5 Picture freezes, but sound keeps going when playing DivX movies
The DivX movie that you are trying to play contains errors. Some of the movies frames are invalid and when you try to play the movie the picture freezes because of the errors. The sound is able to keep on playing since it isn't as sensitive to small errors as the video. The invalid frames are usually caused by resuming downloads. To fix the invalid frames you can either try to download the movie again, but this won't help if your source also has a corrupted movie. In that case the only way to fix the movie is to load the movie into VirtualDub and manually edit/delete the invalid frames. There exists a workaround called DivX AntiFreeze, which once installed will avoid the permanent freezings during playback in Windows Media Player. However, it does not fix the invalid frames in the clip.
4.6 Picture is too dark when playing DivX movies
If the picture is too dark when playing DivX movies it is possible to change the brightness/contrast settings. Goto the File menu in Windows Media Player and select Properties (make sure that you have a DivX movie loaded or the Properties option will be disabled). Then click the Advanced tab and select the "DivX MPEG-4 DVD Video Decompressor", then click Properties. A new window with a brightness slider will be displayed. If you move the slider to the left the picture will become darker. If you move the slider to the right the picture will become brighter. Experiment a bit to find the value that works best for you.
Please note that the above instructions only work in Windows Media Player v6.4. If your system has a newer version of Windows Media Player installed you can still access the older version to make the needed changes. Simply goto the Start menu in Windows, select "Run..." and enter "mplayer2" in the box. Then click the OK button to start Windows Media Player v6.4.
4.7 Picture is upside down when playing DivX movies
We've had a few reports about this problem and the majority of the people with the problem are running Windows XP. The easist solution seems to be to goto the Tools->Options->Performance->Advanced menu and simply deselect the "Use video mixing renderer" option. While this option works for many it doesn't solve the problem for everyone. You can find more possible solutions by reading the upside down problem thread in our forums.
4.8 Picture and sound is having problems with skipping
The reason for this is most likely that your computer isn't fast enough to play DivX movies. You can try lowering the image quality and resolution as described in section 2.3 and 2.4. You can also try to use an older version of the DivX codec as described in section 2.5. If this doesn't fix the problem, we recommend users to try BSPlayer, since it uses considerably less CPU and memory than Windows Media Player. The program can be downloaded from the DivX players section.
4.9 Sound is too low when playing DivX movies
We've found that the problem with really low volume in DivX movies is usually caused by the movies using the AC3 audio codec. The default volume for the AC3 codec is quite low, so raising the regular volume controls might not be enough for some movies. To fix the problem, simply goto the Start menu in Windows, select "Settings" and then the "Control Panel". If you have the AC3 codec installed on your system you should see the "AC3 Filter" listed there. Simply open the "AC3 Filter" and from there you should be able to change the Master volume, and even the volume of individual channels such as the Voice channel.
Common questions
5.1 What is a codec?
The word codec is short for compressor/decompressor. When you install a video codec on your computer, what you really are doing is giving windows media player instructions how to compress/decompress movies in that file format. If the needed codec is missing you will receive an error message that windows media player is unable to download an appropriate decompressor. For more information about this problem, see section 6.1.
5.2 What is the DivX codec?
The DivX codec is NOT related to the now defunct Circuit City video rental system. In fact, it has nothing to do with it except for the confusingly similar name. The name DivX ;-) was simply taken from the system as a joke, which is why they added the smiley to mock its failure.
The DivX codec is based on the MPEG-4 compression format, which is a new standard of video compression that is both high quality and low bitrate. This basically means that it produces high quality video using a low amount of bits (space). Despite the fact that DivX movies are faster to encode than regular MPEG movies they are much smaller in size due to the incredible compression technology. DivX video is usually combined with MP3 sound to produce both high quality video and audio.
The DivX codec makes it possible for anyone with a computer and a broadband connection to download DVD quality movies and store them on a single CD-ROM. In the beginning this was the primary use of the DivX codec, but as time has passed, people have discovered that it has more uses. DivX is today well on its way to becoming a new standard for video just as MP3 has taken over the world of music.
5.3 Where can I download DivX movies? NEW
You won't find any web sites offering movie downloads, so you need to learn more about file-sharing programs and IRC. If you need help learning how to find and download movies, you should check out our guides how to download movies.
5.4 What size are full-length DivX movies?
This is different from movie to movie depending on how efficiently the audio/video is compressed, but expect a full-length DivX movie to be around 600-700MB in size. If the file is a lot smaller it is low quality or incomplete. Downloading a full-length DivX movie at 30k/s would take about 6 hours.
5.5 Is it possible to play DivX movies in a DVD-player?
While there exist DVD-players that support DivX/XviD playback, in general it's not possible to play DivX movies since the DivX codec uses MPEG-4 compression and most DVD-players only support playback of MPEG-1 (VCD) and MPEG-2 (DVD or SVCD) video. We suggest that you use the DVD Player Compatibility List to find out if your DVD-player supports DivX/XviD playback.
The only way to view DivX movies using a DVD-player which doesn't support DivX/XviD playback is to first convert the movie to the SVCD or VCD format. Again, use the DVD Player Compatibility List to make sure your DVD-player supports either the SVCD or VCD formats. For information how to convert and burn your movies you should goto Video Help and read their conversion guides and authoring guides.
5.6 Is it possible to play DivX movies on my TV?
Yes, but it requires that you own a video card which supports TV-out. If you don't have one you should be able to find one for about the same price as a regular video card. You will also need a cable to send the video to your TV. Then you simply configure your computer to send the video to your TV when you play DivX movies.
5.7 What is the difference between Fast-Motion and Low-Motion?
Fast-Motion is intended for DivX movies with lots of action and fast scene changes. Low-Motion is intended for DivX movies where the picture doesn't change much between frames. The reason for having the two options is because they both have their advantages. Fast-Motion encoded DivX movies are able to keep up with the fast changing scenes when the Low-Motion version would miss frames. On the other hand Fast-Motion encoding slow paced movies produces a "blocky" picture when the Low-Motion version gives a smoother picture. In other words, you select the codec based on what type of movie you want to encode.
Error messages (Windows Media Player)
6.1 Unable to download an appropriate decompressor
This error occurs when you try to watch a movie and Windows Media Player is unable to find the needed video codec. You might be able to listen to the sound but no video is shown. This either means that you haven't got the DivX codec installed or that the installed codec isn't working properly. The solution is to reinstall the DivX codec.
6.2 Unable to render video: DIV3 decompressor not found
This error occurs when you try to watch a movie and Windows Media Player is unable to find the needed video codec. In order to play the movie you need to install the DivX codec which contains a DIV3 decompressor. For information how to install the DivX codec, goto the DivX codec section.
6.3 Unable to render video: DIV4 decompressor not found
This error occurs when you try to watch a movie and Windows Media Player is unable to find the needed video codec. In order to play the movie you need to install the DivX codec which contains a DIV4 decompressor. For information how to install the DivX codec, goto the DivX codec section.
6.4 Unable to render video: DIVX decompressor not found
This error occurs when you try to watch a movie and Windows Media Player is unable to find the needed video codec. In order to play the movie you need to install the DivX codec v5.2.1 which contains a DIVX decompressor. For information how to install the DivX codec v5.2.1, goto the DivX codec section.
6.5 Unable to render video: DX50 decompressor not found
This error occurs when you try to watch a movie and Windows Media Player is unable to find the needed video codec. In order to play the movie you need to install the DivX codec v5.2.1 which contains a DX50 decompressor. For information how to install the DivX codec v5.2.1, goto the DivX codec section.
6.6 Unable to render video: MP43 decompressor not found
This error occurs when you try to watch a movie and Windows Media Player is unable to find the needed video codec. In order to play the movie you need to install the SMR codec which contains a MP43 decompressor. You can download the SMR codec from the Software section.
6.7 Unable to render video: XVID decompressor not found
This error occurs when you try to watch a movie and Windows Media Player is unable to find the needed video codec. In order to play the movie you need to install the XviD codec which contains a XVID decompressor. For information how to install the XviD codec, goto the XviD codec section.
6.8 No combination of filters could be found to render the stream
This error occurs when you try to watch a movie and Windows Media Player is unable to render the video stream. The DivX movie that you are trying to play is either incomplete or corrupt and the DivX codec doesn't support playback of incomplete DivX movies, so make sure that you have the whole file before you try to watch it. For a possible workaround, see section 4.2.
6.9 The file format is invalid
This error occurs when you try to watch a movie and Windows Media Player detects that the file format is invalid. The DivX movie that you are trying to play is either incomplete or corrupt and the DivX codec doesn't support playback of incomplete DivX movies, so make sure that you have the whole file before you try to watch it. For a possible workaround, see section 4.2.
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