Will DVD players ever support MPEG-4 and DivX like they do VCD?

[MadRat]

I have to admit that the VCD revolution is pretty sweet, especially the ability to turn regular CD-R's into hour-long VHS-quality video disks. Its amazing that standalone DVD players have powerful enough processors to decode those files, let alone to run them smoothly. Heck, I like the new technology so much that I decided to go for a new shelf stereo system the other day with DVD/VCD/CD-RW/MP3 support all built into it!

So whats the chances of them incorporating DivX and MPEG4 support into their future VCD-technology support?

 

[ElFenix]

it takes more power to decode a dvd than a vcd. and vcds have been around forever. mpeg4... maybe. wouldn't be very expensive to add. though most of the industry wants it for streaming over the net and to cell phones.

 

[MadRat]

I can fit 2 hours of Dvix or MPEG4 on just a single CD whereas it typically holds maybe 80 minutes of VCD.

This is where I feel Divx/MPEG4 support would be a hit.

 

[iamme]

If you like VCDs, check out SVCDs. I've ripped a few of my DVD into SVCDs, and they look stunning.

 

[ObiDon]

I make variable bit rate Mpeg-1 VCDs and they play quite nicely on my P150 laptop. With VBR, fitting 90-100 minutes with good quality on an 80 minute CD is no big deal...unless maybe you have a movie that is non-stop action. Maybe when I get bored I'll try it with IJ and the Last Crusade. That's probably the closest I have and it's been too long since I've seen it!

 

[iamme]

Originally posted by: ObiDon
I make variable bit rate Mpeg-1 VCDs and they play quite nicely on my P150 laptop. With VBR, fitting 90-100 minutes with good quality on an 80 minute CD is no big deal...unless maybe you have a movie that is non-stop action. Maybe when I get bored I'll try it with IJ and the Last Crusade. That's probably the closest I have and it's been too long since I've seen it!

VBR VCDs aren't standard, right? Is that an XVCD? Do you have a problem playing them on set top DVD players?

 

[MadRat]

Good question. *Bump for an answer?*

 

[ObiDon]

VBR VCDs aren't standard, right? Is that an XVCD? Do you have a problem playing them on set top DVD players?

I'm not really sure but it probably is considered an XVCD. Although I think XVCD can also be CBR at a bitrate other than the standard 1123~1150kbps.
I have no problems playing them in my Pioneer DV-440 on either CD-Rs or CD-RWs. My parents Philips DVD-712 had a problem playing one that I gave them but it could have been a media problem because the movie made it more than halfway through before it stopped working.
If the Pioneer had been in stock at the time, I would have given them one of those for Christmas instead.