Xvid

What Does Xvid Mean?

Xvid is a popular open-source video compression technology. The video codec was developed as an open-source alternative to other commercial video codecs like DivX. The video compression of Xvid is based on MPEG-4 and provides good enough quality compression for a full-length DVD movie to fit onto single CD, while the original image quality is maintained.

Advertisements

Techopedia Explains Xvid

Xvid helps in compressing and decompressing the MPEG-4 ASP format. It makes use of ASP features like:

  • Lumi masking
  • Quantization matrices
  • B-frames
  • H.263
  • MPEG
  • Quarter-pixel motion compensation

Xvid can be used on all platforms and operating systems where the source code can be executed. The Xvid codec compresses video files at a ratio of 200:1 or more compared to the original video. As a result, this makes transmitting the video files faster and also helps users to save significant space on their computer. Xvid encoded files can be written onto a DVD or a CD and can be played on DivX compatible players.

Compared to other codes, Xvid can compress video without causing visible quality loss. More advanced compression features are possible in Xvid and there is greater control of final file size. However, compared to DivX, Xvid can be a bit more difficult to configure. It is also slightly less common than DivX.

Advertisements

Related Terms

Latest Cloud-Native Development Terms

Related Reading

Margaret Rouse

Margaret Rouse is an award-winning technical writer and teacher known for her ability to explain complex technical subjects to a non-technical, business audience. Over the past twenty years her explanations have appeared on TechTarget websites and she's been cited as an authority in articles by the New York Times, Time Magazine, USA Today, ZDNet, PC Magazine and Discovery Magazine.Margaret's idea of a fun day is helping IT and business professionals learn to speak each other’s highly specialized languages. If you have a suggestion for a new definition or how to improve a technical explanation, please email Margaret or contact her…