Gizmodo writes that the next firmware update of PS3 will make it a DivX certified device.
DivX certification allows PS3 to playback DivX files that are created to run on the certified devices. The certification also ensures PS3 will be able to support DivX media format(*.divx) containing DivX menus, multiple audio tracks, chapters, and subtitles.
This does not mean that PS3 would only support DivX compression format, infact it will also support the similar compression technologies like XviD and other generic MPEG-4 compression codecs.
Game developers can take advantage of this technology by using DivX for the in-game videos. The result would be more videos at less size.
After this firmware update, PS3 would become the first fully certified DivX gaming device.
Update:
Looks like the new firmware 2.1 is about to hit tomorrow. The changes are :
Music
- You can now select [Type 3] as an option under Settings > [Music Settings] > [Bitmapping]. This bitmapping process was developed specifically for the PS3TM system to enhance audio playback.
Video
- DivX and VC-1 (WMV) have been added to the types of files that can be played.*
- Blu-ray Disc Profile 1.1 is now supported. **
- [BD Data Utility] has been added. ***
Fineprint
*
- To play VC-1 (WMV) format files, you must go to Settings > [System Settings] and set [Enable WMA Playback].
- Copyright-protected files or files that were encoded by using DivX 3.11 cannot be played. - Files that are 2GB or more cannot be played.
** You may now be able to use several additional features such as playback of two videos at the same time with Profile 1.1-compatible Blu-ray Discs. The available features vary depending on the disc.
*** The management data that is used by the Blu-ray Disc is saved.
What do you think?