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LiteOn releases a MPEG-4 capable DVD player

Written by Petteri Pyyny @ 17 Mar 2003 1:21 User comments (5)

LiteOn, a relatively well-known Asian electronics brand, has released a MPEG-4 capable stand-alone DVD player at the CeBit expo in Hannover.
The player will compete against a similiar player from Danish Kiss, DP-450, which was released in last year. LiteOn's player, called LVD-2001, uses a MPEG-4 decoder chip from "notorious" Sigma Designs (the guys who violated XviD's GPL license). The chip used in the player is Sigma's EM8500. According to various sources, the player should be capable of playing pure MPEG-4 videos that are AVI wrapped (such as DivX v5.xx and XviD files) and also almost-MPEG-4 files such as DivX v3.11alpha and DivX v4.x files.

Pricing or the availability of the player is still unclear.

More info: LiteOn

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5 user comments

117.3.2003 07:03

Finally! I waited very long for this! But one big fat problem In DivX Pro 5.03, in the last tab when you are recording, there are profiles for you to use, so it can be compatible. Does this mean that the DVDs I ripped before, or downloaded movies, might now work on these MPEG-4 Enabled DVD Players?!?! >:( >:(

218.3.2003 07:56
Stan11003
Inactive

"notorious" Sigma Designs (the guys who violated XviD's GPL license). That entire thing was so over blown. I can't believe how much flak sigma got for using code from xvid for a FREE encoder that they make no money from. Borowing code is not good but Xvid is not exactly original, they didn't come up with the mpeg 4 codec and are basically a free version of divx. In response to the community sigma release the code for all to see. A community(which I am part of) that basically steals movies for their own viewing pleasure doesn't really have the moral authority to boycott company that is just trying to allow them to see mpeg-4 on the boob tube. For real example piracy look at windows 2000/XP net code which is "stolen" from Free BSD. But no one has stopped using windows over it. END of RANT :p BTW you can play xvid and every version of divx on a Sigma xcard at HDTV 1080i with Joveplayer and zonfree. No way I am giving that up for a bunch of whinners.

319.3.2003 07:39
maupin4t8
Inactive

This is fantastic, but how long will I have to wait before this is available in the states?

419.3.2003 07:43

Windows 2K and XP has code from FreeBSD?! More Info

519.3.2003 07:46

Why dont you just drop 'em a mail. Follow the link in the article and ask 'em. Im not sure if their even selling it yet, cuz i cant find anything on their website about price. Nor can i find more detailed info about it...

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