Software Update: DivX Pro Plasma Alpha build 1394

The scientists at DivX Labs have released the first alpha version of their latest codec engine online put. The encoder has been given the name Plasma and, in contrast to the previous versions of DivX Pro, ensures a smaller file size without loss in image quality. Plasma is available from here be downloaded. However, before the software can be used, DivX version 5.2.1 installed on the system. DivX Pro Plasma Alpha build 1394 ships with the following release notes:

R&D for the DivX Pro Plasma codec has been focused strictly around improving video quality and compression. In our testing Plasma improves compression over DivX Pro 5.2.1 by 8 – 34% depending on bitrate and resolution, ultimately translating to better video quality without increased file size. Better still, all enhancements are within the confines of DivX Certified profiles so you can reap the benefits on your DivX CE devices with no impact on content compatibility.

Technical changes:

• The DivX Encoder GUI has been redesigned
  The DivX encoder configuration interface has been redesigned for ease of use. Related items are better grouped, there are fewer wizard-like screens to go through, and the window itself is far smaller than before.
• Performance/Quality mode points optimized
  We are continuing refinement of the Codec Performance settings according to a rate-distortion model and practical usage.
  • Fastest Useful for capture in 1-Pass, Quality based mode
  • Balanced Better quality than DivX Pro 5.2.1’s ‘Standard’ mode with faster encoding
  • Better Quality Better quality than DivX Pro 5.2.1’s ‘Slow’ mode with faster encoding
  • Extreme Quality New fashion (see below)
  • Insane Quality New fashion (see below)
• Rate distortion optimized H.263 quantization
  Plasma includes rate-distortion quantization to improve video quality and ensure optimal PSNR.
• New aspect based resize
  The encoder now allows you to configure resizing based on the pixel aspect ratio of the source instead of absolute frame output dimensions.
• Faster block search
  Plasma includes performance enhancements to the motion estimation algorithm that reduce block search times for faster encoding.
• Support for 4MV
  Plasma leverages 4MV for 8×8 block searches creating clear improvements in picture sharpness and reducing ringing artifacts. Effects are most noticeable on anime and textures with high contrast edges.
• New Extreme Quality mode
  Plasma’s Extreme Quality mode improves upon the compression/quality of Better Quality mode but does so with significant impact to encoding performance.
• New Insane Quality fashion
  Plasma contains a new Insane Quality mode that enables all applicable quality enhancements. Use this mode to see what Plasma is really capable of, but beware: it’s very slow!
• Improved deblocking
  Plasma includes a new proprietary deblocking algorithm that improves visual quality and PSNR while reducing decoder complexity.

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