What is the DIVX file format?
.divx is a multimedia video format using an extended AVI container with DivX-specific enhancements. A .divx file carries a video stream compressed with one of the DivX codec family members:
- DivX MPEG-4 Part 2 (FourCC:
DIVXorDX50) - H.264 / MPEG-4 AVC (DivX Plus HD)
- DivX HEVC Ultra HD
Beyond standard AVI streams, the .divx container adds XSUB embedded subtitle tracks, XTAG metadata chunks (title, year, genre, cover artwork), and chapter markers - features absent in a plain .avi file. These efficient compression algorithms deliver great image quality at small file sizes, which were the two main reasons for the format's popularity.
The main use of .divx was compressing a 90-minute movie to fit on a single 700 MB CD-ROM. Even earlier codec versions achieved this with quality close to DVD standard. Modern DivX Plus HD profiles support the 1080p Full HD standard. .divx files are commonly used for distributing movies, and many consumer electronics - televisions, Blu-ray players, game consoles, home cinema setups, and multimedia players - carry the DivX Certified logo and support .divx playback natively. Before purchasing a device, verify in its documentation that it supports the DivX format.
To open and play a .divx file, a compatible player is required. VLC media player handles them without additional codec installation. DivX Player (official software) is also actively maintained as of 2026. DivX, LLC was acquired by Rovi Corporation in 2012 and later became part of TiVo in 2019.
Security & safety
RISK: LOWDivX video files are binary multimedia containers; no executable risk from the file format itself. However, files from unofficial sources (torrents, warez sites) may be mislabeled malware or contain misleading codec installation prompts. Always play with an established player (VLC) rather than installing unknown codec packs prompted by the file. VLC has its own codecs and needs no external codec installation.
Format details
in a nutshellPrograms that open DIVX files
Windows5 apps
VLC media player
Open-source Double-click the .divx file; VLC detects the AVI/DivX container and plays directly. 
DivX Player
Free Download DivX software suite; double-click .divx file for native playback with full DivX feature support.
Media Player Classic - Home Cinema (MPC-HC)
Open-source Open file; plays DivX with built-in codecs. Note: original MPC-HC is discontinued (last release 2017); use MPC-HC fork from github.com/clsid2/mpc-hc. 
macOS3 apps
Linux2 apps
Android2 apps
VLC for Android
Open-source Open .divx file from storage; VLC handles the AVI/DivX container natively. Technical details
deep spec| Container | Extended AVI (RIFF-based) with DivX-specific chunks (XSUB, XTAG, chapters) |
| Magic bytes | RIFF at offset 0, AVI at offset 8 (standard AVI/RIFF header) |
| Byte order | Little-endian |
| Video codec | MPEG-4 Part 2 (FourCC: DIVX or DX50) or H.264/AVC (DivX Plus HD profile) |
| Audio codec | MP3, AC3 (Dolby Digital), AAC, or DTS |
| Custom RIFF chunks | XSUB (subtitle bitmaps), XTAG (title, year, genre, cover art metadata), chapter markers |
| Maximum resolution | 1920×1080 (DivX Plus HD 1080p); SD profiles up to 720×576 (PAL) / 720×480 (NTSC) |
| Typical file size | 700 MB - 8 GB (SD feature film: 700 MB-1.4 GB; DivX Plus HD: 2-8 GB) |
| Colour depth | 8 bits per channel, 4:2:0 YUV |
| Audio sample rate | 44.1 kHz or 48 kHz; stereo or 5.1 surround |
| DivX profiles | Home Theater (SD), HD 720p, HD 1080p, DivX Plus HD (H.264) |
| MIME type | video/divx |
| Released | 2006, as DivX Media Format (DMF) - distinct .divx extension for the enhanced AVI-based container |
| Latest version | DivX Plus HD profile (introduced ~2010); DivX software v11.14.1 (March 2026) |
| Specification | www.divx.com |
DIVX conversions
Community Q&A
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