We store cookies, you can get more info from our privacy policy.
GC

Factor 5, DivX Networks release SDK for GameCube

by Rick Powers - October 1, 2002, 10:14 am EDT
Discuss in talkback! Source: DivX Networks

Tired of badly compressed video in GameCube games? Fret no longer, DivX and your pals at Factor 5 have the answer!

Discuss it in Talkback!

The small size of the GameCube discs makes them easy to manage and cheap to make, but they only hold a fraction of the data a standard DVD-ROM can. While most games can be made to fit in 1.5GB of space, FMV, or full-motion video is much harder to compress without significant loss in video quality.

PC users have long known the advantages that the DivX format (not to be confused with the ill-fated DIVX alternative to DVD) has in terms of files sizes and image quality. Now Factor 5 in a partnership with DivX Networks are bringing tools to developers to compress FMV with the DivX format, allowing for better looking video in smaller file sizes.

How much smaller? It depends on the source and the aggressiveness of the compression, but DivX says that the tools can create movies at DVD Quality that are 7-10 times smaller than MPEG2.

The code is hand built in assembly language for the Gekko processor as well, and the playback portion uses both the Gekko CPU and the Flipper graphics processor to decode.

Since the tools have been developed by Factor 5, they are tightly integrated with the MusyX and AX sound libraries.

More information is available at the DivX for GameCube SDK page.

The official press release is as follows:


SAN DIEGO, CA and SAN RAFAEL, CA--(INTERNET WIRE)--Oct 1, 2002 -- With today's release of the DivX for Gamecube Software Development Kit (SDK), Nintendo Gamecube developers can now easily create highly compressed DVD-quality DivX video cinematics and seamlessly integrate high performance playback into Gamecube games. For more information on DivX for Gamecube, visit www.divx.com/gamecube.

ADVERTISEMENT

DivX for Gamecube was developed by Factor 5, the software development house and Nintendo technology partner behind the multimillion selling "Star Wars®: Rogue Squadron™" game franchise and the MusyX™ sound tools for multiple game platforms, and DivXNetworks, Inc., the company that created the revolutionary patent-pending DivX video compression technology.

The superior compression and visual quality of DivX video, most recently used in Blizzard Entertainment's best-selling "Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos" provides game developers with an ideal solution for high-quality cinematics in Gamecube titles. DivX for Gamecube offers a number of advanced features specifically optimized for Gamecube developers, including:

- DVD-like quality at file sizes 7-10 times smaller than MPEG-2

- Support for the advanced features of the cutting-edge DivX 5.02 Pro video technology including pyschovisual modeling, bi-directional encoding, and global motion compensation.

- Encoding speeds 2-3X faster than real-time

- Hand-optimized assembler-code for maximum usage of all Gamecube CPU ("Gekko") extensions and minimal cache misses

- Uses both CPU and graphics chip ("Flipper") in parallel for extremely fast performance

- Maximum flexibility and ease of use, with the ability to map video on any surface and run in parallel with other applications

- Tight integration with the MusyX™ and AX sound libraries for audio streaming

"We are pleased to work closely with the talented team at Factor 5 to develop the DivX for Gamecube product. DivX is the perfect video compression technology for game developers and publishers seeking the highest visual quality, best compression and fastest encoding and decoding speed," said Darrius Thompson, director of research and development at DivXNetworks, Inc. (www.divxnetworks.com).

"The DivX for Gamecube SDK was designed to provide developers with a complete, easy-to-use solution based on the world's most powerful video compression technology," said Thomas Engel, Director of Technology at Factor 5, LLC. "By partnering with DivXNetworks, we are able to offer game developers a toolset of cutting-edge video technology specifically optimized for creating the highest quality cinematics in Nintendo Gamecube titles."

Hailed as a "revolutionary product" by Tom's Hardware Guide, DivX MPEG-4-compatible video compression technology has been downloaded over 65 million times. The newest version of the technology, DivX 5.02, is capable of data compression ratios that exceed virtually any technology available today and offers up to 41% better compression than previous versions of the technology, at over twice the encoding speed of competing technologies. For more information, e-mail licensing@divxnetworks.com or visit www.divxnetworks.com/products.

About DivXNetworks

DivXNetworks is a leading technology company that enables the rapid proliferation of video content over Internet Protocol (IP) networks by combining the lightweight, ubiquitous access of the Internet with DVD-quality video performance. The company's approach is built upon the success of the DivX™ codec, a leading standard for MPEG-4 compatible video distribution with over 65 million users worldwide, and the DivX Open Video System™, a next-generation content delivery system that provides unsurpassed aggregation, promotion, and distribution of video content for mass markets. DivXNetworks is headquartered in San Diego, California, with a satellite office in Los Angeles. For more information about DivXNetworks, visit www.divxnetworks.com.

About Factor 5

Based in San Rafael, California, Factor 5 LLC is a leading developer of interactive entertainment software and technology for a variety of console and computer platforms. Among the company´s many successful titles is the multimillion selling "Star Wars®: Rogue Squadron™" line of games for LucasArts Entertainment Company and the classic Turrican® series. Factor 5 has also created the multiplatform MusyX™ sound tool technology which pioneered 5-channel sound for games in close collaboration with Dolby and, as a Nintendo technology partner, was involved in the creation of the Nintendo Gamecube hardware.


Shout out to Robert Gunnarsson for the tip!

Got a news tip? Send it in!
Advertisement
Advertisement