.divx

What is a .divx file?

DivX is a legacy video codec and container from the early 2000s internet video era.

Safe format
Type Video
By DivX, LLC
MIME video/x-divx

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What is it

DivX was the format that made internet video piracy — and later, legitimate video sharing — possible. In the early 2000s, when broadband was slow and storage was expensive, DivX compressed a DVD-quality movie into a 700 MB file that fit on a single CD-R. It was essentially a modified MPEG-4 Part 2 codec, and it changed everything about how people thought about digital video.

The .divx extension is the format's own container, though most DivX-encoded video was actually stored in AVI files. DivX-certified DVD players and Blu-ray players can play the format directly. The company later pivoted to DivX Plus (H.264-based) and DivX HEVC, but these are just standard H.264/H.265 in an MKV container with DRM.

Today, DivX is a historical curiosity. H.264 and H.265 do everything DivX did, better, at smaller file sizes. If you encounter a .divx file, VLC plays it without issue. For conversion to MP4, HandBrake or FFmpeg handle it cleanly.

Technical details
Full Name
DivX Video
MIME Type
video/x-divx
Developer
DivX, LLC
Magic Bytes
N/A
Safety
.divx is a known, safe format. Video container. No executable content.
What opens it
VLC
FREE Windows / Mac / Linux
MPV
FREE Windows / Mac / Linux
FAQ
Can I still play DivX files?
Yes. VLC plays DivX files without any special codecs. Most modern media players handle the format, though it's considered legacy.
Should I convert DivX to MP4?
If you want smaller files and modern compatibility, yes. H.264 in MP4 is more efficient than DivX and plays on everything. HandBrake handles the conversion.
Related formats