XviD Video Codec

CNET Editors' review

If you've ever tried to compress a video file, you know that such files are already pretty dense and don't have much room to compress further, and also that video playback quality tends to suffer the more a file is compressed. But that doesn't mean you don't have options when you need to compress video for storage or bandwidth needs. XviD Video Codec is a free, open-source MPEG-4 codec that's specifically designed to maximize compression without sacrificing video quality. Its algorithms remove the parts of a video file that don't affect the viewer's perception of quality, making XviD the closest thing to a ZIP archive tool for video.

When you install XviD, you can associate it with DivX, 3VIX, and other MPEG files. If you've installed codecs before, it was probably part of a "pack" that may have provided only a minimal user interface, if any. But XviD Video Codec is much more than a codec: it's a full package of tools. We clicked XviD's Start Menu folder with low expectations but were surprised to see a full menu of options, including both Encoder and Decoder Configuration tools, an Uninstaller, an update checker, a cool Mini Converter, and an Advanced menu offering yet more tools, including a calculator and a stats tool.

We started with the Encoder. The Main Settings offer many levels of MPEG-4 encoding, single or twopass encoding, and the ability to add more items to each. A slider let us choose between maximum quality and maximum compression. We could also configure Zones and Quality Presets, and some advanced options on the Other Options sheet.

Since we were most interested in XviD's compression capabilities, we ran it out to max compression and applied it to some video files. XviD worked quickly, depending on our settings, of course (for instance, Real Time quality took significantly longer than General Purpose for similar files). XviD was able to compress our files to sizes we've never been able to achieve before, though of course not ZIP levels; again, there's not much "give" in media files. But XviD not only reduced our video files but also left them still watchable.

Publisher's Description

More Products to Consider

  • Ashampoo Burning St...
    Burn the files and images on CD and DVD discs.
    Download

    Installed

    Smart Install
  • Windows Media Playe...
    Get fast and flexible digital-media playback with access to sma...
    Download

    Installed

    Smart Install
  • PowerISO
    Create, edit, burn, mount, and encrypt CD, DVD, and BD image fi...
    Download

    Installed

    Smart Install
  • Virtual DJ
    Mix, scratch, and remix MP3 or music videos live.
    Download

    Installed

    Smart Install
  • FreeRip
    Convert CDs to MP3, WMA, WAV, OGG, FLAC formats, convert audio ...
    Download

    Installed

    Smart Install
  • iDVD Ripper
    Convert DVD movies to all the popular video or audio formats wi...
    Download

    Installed

    Smart Install
  • Free MP3 Cutter
    Cut desired parts from your MP3 files.
    Download

    Installed

    Smart Install
  • EZ Video Converter
    Convert video files between AVI, MPEG1/2, and WMV formats.
    Download

    Installed

    Smart Install
  • EZ CD Audio Convert...
    Rip CDs, convert audio files, and burn discs easily.
    Download

    Installed

    Smart Install
  • Pianosoft Free Vide...
    Convert video between the most popular file formats such as AVI...
    Download

    Installed

    Smart Install
  • Code Pack Ultimate
    Play all types of audio or video files existing.
    Download

    Installed

    Smart Install
  • JetAudio Basic
    Play video and audio files, convert to other file formats, burn...
    Download

    Installed

    Smart Install
  • Agile MOV Video Con...
    Convert video files into MOV format.
    Download

    Installed

    Smart Install
  • AVI Codec Pack Pro
    Play back almost any video or audio file in your favorite media...
    Download

    Installed

    Smart Install
  • AVI Video Joiner
    Quickly join multiple AVI files, such as: DivX and Xvid togethe...
    Download

    Installed

    Smart Install
  • DivX H.264 decoder
    Decode H.264 or AVC videos.
    Download

    Installed

    Smart Install
  • Free M4a to MP3 Con...
    Convert M4A/AAC into MP3/WAV format.
    Download

    Installed

    Smart Install
  • Koyote Free Video C...
    Convert video files between popular media formats.
    Download

    Installed

    Smart Install
  • Opell Video to iPod...
    Convert various video files to WMV, AVI, MOV, DivX, Xvid, 3GP, ...
    Download

    Installed

    Smart Install
  • 123 DVD Converter
    Convert and backup DVDs to AVI, DivX, iPod, iPhone, iPad, WMV, ...
    Download

    Installed

    Smart Install
  • Virtual Audio Strea...
    Set up a virtual sound card that lets you broadcast/record/conn...
    Download

    Installed

    Smart Install
  • HDX4
    Create and play digital video on your PC.
    Download

    Installed

    Smart Install
  • ZC DVD Ripper Plati...
    Copy DVD to iPod, iPhone, 3GP, PSP, Zune, HD TV, AVI, Divx, Xvi...
    Download

    Installed

    Smart Install
  • 321 Video Converter
    Adjust video settings and convert files in popular video format...
    Download

    Installed

    Smart Install
All User Reviews
  • All versions:

    3.8 stars

    out of 68 votes

    • 5 star: 31
    • 4 star: 14
    • 3 star: 11
    • 2 star: 3
    • 1 star: 9
  • Current version:

    3.0 stars

    out of 5 votes

    • 5 star: 2
    • 4 star: 0
    • 3 star: 1
    • 2 star: 0
    • 1 star: 2
  • My rating:

    0 stars

    Write review

Results 1-5 of 5

  • 3.0 stars

    "Reasonable video compression for free"

    April 20, 2013  |   By assign1234

    Version: XviD Video Codec 1.3.2

    Pros

    Did what is said it did compress video
    Easy to use

    Cons

    Poor integration of features, meaning you have to fossick around to find what you need but hey its free!!!

    Summary

    Sound video compression.

    Reply to this review

    Was this review helpful? (0) (0)

  • 5.0 stars

    "first class"

    November 20, 2012  |   By noelmcadams

    Version: XviD Video Codec 1.3.2

    Pros

    plays what i want it to play does what it says on the tin

    Cons

    none yet dont think there will be

    Reply to this review

    Was this review helpful? (0) (0)

  • 1.0 stars

    "Test failed, I do not use it again until it fixed it."

    November 1, 2012  |   By odin0

    Version: XviD Video Codec 1.3.2

    Pros

    It plays many different file formats.

    Cons

    No full DVD feature, it reads DVD extremely slow. It caused a lot of problems to the WMP codec setup.

    Summary

    A lot of problems. First I tried youtube, not playing, 2nd I tried many different format files it was ok. 3rd I tried DVD then problem started, such as slow reading, no dvd full feature. I compared with VLC, VLC has no problem. I installed it to two computers both of them almost the same problems. I uninstalled it. My desktop stopped playing DVD with WMP and PowerDVD 12. PowedDVD stuck and WMP got message of Digital Copyright Codec problems (cannot remember the exact message but something like this). I did system restore both of them. The laptop has no problems to play DVD. The problem I found on the desktop WMP was the codec setup. In WMP option-advance-codecs all of them were disabled. I re-setup it like the laptop then I am able to play dvd.

    It was wasting my time and gave me a lot of confusion. Some of the codecs are still disabled.

    Updated on Nov 1, 2012

    I am so sorry I posted in the wrong groups my post must be for UMPlayer. I would like to delete it but I do not know how to do it.

    Reply to this review

    Was this review helpful? (0) (0)

  • 1.0 stars

    "Doesn't work!"

    July 26, 2012  |   By Nafis123

    Version: XviD Video Codec 1.3.2

    Pros

    N/A SINCE I WASN'T ABLE TO USE IT

    Cons

    DOESN'T WORK MY ANTI-VIRUS DEEMED IT UNSAFE SO IT WONT EVEN LET ME DOWNLOAD IT!

    Reply to this review

    Was this review helpful? (0) (0)

  • 5.0 stars

    "It works well"

    October 22, 2011  |   By SJSF

    Version: XviD Video Codec 1.3.2

    Pros

    I compressed an 8.04 GB video file to a 4.80 GB file using this program without noticing any loss of quality.

    Cons

    It can be a very slow process if the file is too big.
    It has an unimpressive GUI & a bunch of confusing configuration shortcuts.

    Summary

    The shortcut of the program will be created inside the Xvid folder in the start menu along with a bunch of other Xvid shortcuts. The shortcut to the actual program is called Xvid MiniConvert.

    Reply to this review

    Was this review helpful? (0) (0)

Results 1-5 of 5

Add Your Review

or Log in or create an account to post a review.
You are logged in as . Please submit your review for XviD Video Codec 1.3.2
Add Your Review

The posting of advertisements, profanity, or personal attacks is prohibited.
Click here to review our site terms of use.

Submit your reply

Submit

The posting of advertisements, profanity, or personal attacks is prohibited.
Click here to review our site terms of use.

cancel

E-mail this review

Submit cancel

Report offensive content

If you believe this comment is offensive or violates the CNET's Site Terms of Use, you can report it below (this will not automatically remove the comment). Once reported, our staff will be notified and the comment will be reviewed.

Select type of offense:

Offensive: Sexually explicit or offensive language
Spam: Advertisements or commercial links
Disruptive posting: Flaming or offending other users
Illegal activities: Promote cracked software, or other illegal content
Submit cancel

See more CNET content tagged:

Previous Versions:

Error

close

ERROR MESSAGE

If you think this is an error, please contact CNET TechTracker Support for further assistance.

Ok

Running Request

close

loading

Smart Install Software

close

CNET TechTracker will now automatically install software without requiring further action by you. (Note: This feature automatically accepts associated EULAs and third party applications on your behalf.)

You have selected the following software to Smart Install:

CNET TechTracker will attempt to install this software without interrupting you again. If an application requires manual installation, CNET TechTracker will download the installer and prompt you to take further action.

Proceed with Smart Install?

Confirm Standard Install Cancel

Submit a problem report for XviD Video Codec

close

Please describe the problem you have with this software. This information will be sent to our editors for review.

Problem:

The CNET Installer isn't working as expected

The download link does not work

The software has a newer version

The software contains malware

Other

Description:

Please select a feedback type.

Please enter a description.

Submit Problem Report

Problem Report submitted

close

Thank you for submitting a problem report! The Download team is committed to providing you with accurate software information.

OK

Installed

Smart Install
XviD Video Codec