What Is Digital Video Express (DIVX)?

If you were a Circuit City patron in the late '90s, there was one thing you could do that would make you feel exceptional. Wondering what it was? You could rent a movie on DIVX. DIVX was a video rental system that used DVDs and allowed users to watch a film within a 48-hour window, with the ability to convert it into an unlimited viewing period afterward. The format was discontinued in 1999, but it's still one of the most memorable things about Circuit City: they had a unique, excellent, futuristic design, and they didn't even have to try very hard to sell it to us. We just wanted more movies! DIVX offered higher quality movies with a resolution of 352 pixels (compared to the standard definition's 640 pixels). The system also provided different features like pause live TV, audio tracks, parental controls and the ability to download movies to a hard drive. Unfortunately, DIVX was very expensive. The players cost between $599 and $799, and the film was priced at $29.99. The system had relatively few titles, and there were problems with the discs, which often got stuck in the players. DIVX was a commercial failure and shuttered its services in 2001. With DIVX, you can watch your favorite movies whenever you want. You don't have to wait for the video store to open or hang out with other people to see a movie. With DIVX, you can pop the disc into your player and watch it on your schedule! What's more? It's not just any old movie. It's a DIVX movie—with all the unique features and quality sound and pictures you've expected from DVDs. So what are you waiting for? Get yourself a copy of Dr. Strange today!