THE DIVX SCAM

 



 

 Some of the media formats currently being released are probably best ignored, but it really bothers me that they might find even a marginal share of the marketplace. DIVX (God knows what it stands for!) is such a format. The promotional brochures herald its coming as follows: THE QUALITY of DVD pictures and sound!

THE FREEDOM of no returns and no late fees!

THE AVAILABILITY of hot feature titles all the time!

THE FLEXIBILITY of watching great movies whenever you want!

THE CONVENIENCE of an affordable home video collection!

All for about $4.50! (I've seen them at a leading electronics chain for about $5.50 including tax)

 DIVXs really are DVDs with the exception that they erase/detonate themselves (I'm not sure how to term this phenomenon since the advertising material seems determined to avoid such negative references!) 48 hours after being viewed for the first time. Yes, you can pick when this two-day period begins. However, consider some of the possible scenarios: You ease into your favorite chair and begin viewing your DIVX of choice when a phone call interrupts to let you know a family member has just had an automobile accident in a nearby town and is presently in the hospital. Are you likely to see the entire movie even once during the limited time period allowed?

If the above strikes you as a bit overly dramatic, how about any number of other interruptions such as an eleventh hour call from work, a power failure, some problem relating to a key component in your home entertainment system, or you suddenly became sleepy (and then got caught up in any responsibilities over the next day or so)?

 Rented videotapes - or laser discs - can be kept for as many extras days as one needs to fully enjoy them (and for as little as $.49 per day). Also, keep in mind that some films - like great books - hold up well over repeated viewings, but with at least a year (or two, or three) spaced between them. But leave it to the Captains of Commerce to know what's best for us. In much the same fashion as the ballot box, it would seem best to let our consumer buying patterns (or lack of buying, in this case) speak loudly and emphatically.

To be fair - after all, information represents empowerment - I'm including a web site address to enable all of you to judge DIVXs for yourselves: www.divx.com