AfterDawn: Tech news

New Divx Certified Blu-ray chip introduced by Broadcom

Written by Rich Fiscus @ 16 Sep 2008 7:26 User comments (6)

New Divx Certified Blu-ray chip introduced by Broadcom A new Broadcom chip, the BCM7440, will allow consumer electronics manufacturers to support DivX video in their Blu-ray players by adding DivX Certification.
"There is strong consumer demand for DivX and so we are pleased to extend support for DivX on our BCM7440 Blu-ray chipset," said Dan Eiref, Vice President and General Manager of Broadcom's Consumer Electronics Group. "Broadcom is dedicated to designing differentiated products for our customers. We believe that the addition of DivX to our product portfolio opens up a compelling new source of content for consumers who increasingly rely on digital solutions for their entertainment experience."



"Blu-ray has emerged as the clear standard for high-definition video and, through DivX Certified chips such as the BCM7440, DivX is well-positioned to repeat the success it achieved within the DVD market," said Patrice Lagrange, Senior Vice President, Products, DivX, Inc.

With the increased competition from internet-based video and general apathy about Blu-ray from consumers, that format's success could depend on a wider variety of formats being supported by players. Ironically, the same strategy could ultimately provide additional competition for Blu-ray by giving these formats a higher profile than they might have otherwise.

Previous Next  

6 user comments

116.9.2008 23:28

I love how divx is becoming the new stanadard for video codec.

217.9.2008 05:56

Quote:
Ironically, the same strategy could ultimately provide additional competition for Blu-ray by giving these formats a higher profile than they might have otherwise.
I would see it more as a case of adding an extra bell and whistle to a blu ray player - obviously to attract more buyers but the idea that it will give divx a higher profile than blu ray has me scratching my head seeing as the most famous blu ray player - the Sony PS3 has been divx certified and capable since December last year.

317.9.2008 09:03

Originally posted by domie:
the Sony PS3 has been divx certified and capable since December last year.
Correct.

The UniPhier based players are also already DivX certified - most Panasonics, the Denons and the Marantz.

The Broadcom 7440 is already used in the LG BH200 and the Samsung BD-UP5500 and BP1500 although I'm guessing the DivX feature may need to be activated via a firmware update.

http://www.blu-ray.com/players/players.php?id=59&show=specs
http://www.blu-ray.com/players/players.php?id=18&show=specs
http://www.blu-ray.com/players/players.php?id=23&show=specs

417.9.2008 15:57

Doesn't a Divx movie bypass all the blueray DRM crapola that's been added to the standard?

518.9.2008 08:08

well yeah but obviously it is drm free - it's an entirely different video codec standard.

i don't really see what the strong reaction to blu ray's drm is all about - i agree - drm sucks but it has been a totally mute and void point ever since anydvd cracked the blu ray copy protection system almost a year ago.

i mean the only reason anyone would want to complain about the DRM on the PS3 blu ray is if it was impossible to copy and back up your own discs - anydvd makes that step a piece of cake so what are all the complaints about ?

me scratches my head again

618.9.2008 08:24

The DRM on BluRay movies is pretty much useless. Just ask these guys:

http://forums.afterdawn.com/thread_view.cfm/639346

Comments have been disabled for this article.

News archive