Editing DIVX (section)

===Development and launch===
DIVX was introduced on September 8, 1997 (after previously being made under the code name '''Zoom TV'''),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.e-town.com/news/articles/divx090997dea.html |title=Say Hello to DIVX|first=David J.|last=Elrich|date=September 9, 1997|website=E/Town News|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19990117080757/http://www.e-town.com/news/articles/divx090997dea.html|archive-date=January 17, 1999|url-status=dead|access-date=September 18, 2019}}</ref> with the format under development since 1995.<ref name="KinderGentler">{{cite web|url=http://e-town.com/news/articles/divx100198rga.html |title=A Kinder, Gentler DIVX|first=Ron|last=Goldberg|date=October 1, 1998|website=E/Town News|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19990421174046/http://e-town.com/news/articles/divx100198rga.html|archive-date=April 21, 1999|url-status=dead|access-date=September 18, 2019}}</ref> The format was a partnership between [[Circuit City]] and entertainment law firm Ziffren, Brittenham, Branca & Fischer, with the former company investing $100 million into the latter firm.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://circuitcity.pic.net/help/pr90897div.html |title=CIRCUIT CITY STORES, INC. ANNOUNCES DIVX PARTNERSHIP |date=September 8, 1997 |website=Circuit City Online|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19980129142552/http://circuitcity.pic.net/help/pr90897div.html|archive-date=January 29, 1998|url-status=dead |access-date=September 18, 2019}}</ref> One advertiser attempted to sign with the company, but was unable to do so, which spurred a lawsuit between the two.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://adage.com/news_and_features/features/19971027/article5.html|title=Divx nixes adviser's naming of ad agency|first=Laura|last=Petrecca|website=Advertising Age|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19981205160100/http://adage.com/news_and_features/features/19971027/article5.html|archive-date=December 5, 1998|url-status=dead|access-date=September 18, 2019}}</ref>

The product made a quiet showing at the [[Consumer Electronics Show]] in [[Las Vegas]] in early January 1998,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.techweb.com/wire/story/TWB19980112S0013 |title=DVD Takes Spotlight As Divx Hides|first=Andy|last=Patrizio|date=January 12, 1998|website=TechWeb|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19990221114117/http://www.techweb.com/wire/story/TWB19980112S0013|archive-date=February 21, 1999|url-status=dead |access-date=September 18, 2019}}</ref><ref name=EGM104>{{cite magazine |title=A Tale of Convergence|magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]] |publisher=Ziff Davis |issue=104 |date=March 1998 |page=32}}</ref> but won the attention of [[20th Century Fox]] which on February 20, 1998 signed a deal to release their titles on the format.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hollywood.com/news/topstories/02-19-98/html/2-4.html|title=Fox Home Video Enters Controversial Divx Deal|first=Jim|last=Bartoo|date=February 20, 1998|website=Los Angeles Times|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000917054113/http://www.hollywood.com/news/topstories/02-19-98/html/2-4.html|archive-date=September 17, 2000|url-status=dead|access-date=September 18, 2019}}</ref> After multiple delays,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.techweb.com/se/directlink.cgi?CRW19980601S0012|title=Rival Retailers Shore Up Defenses As Divx Player Is Once Again Delayed|first=Doug|last=Olenick|date=June 1, 1998|website=TechWeb|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20001006211425/http://www.techweb.com/se/directlink.cgi?CRW19980601S0012|archive-date=October 6, 2000|url-status=dead|access-date=September 18, 2019}}</ref> the initial trial of the DIVX format was run in the [[San Francisco]], California and [[Richmond, Virginia]] areas starting on June 8, 1998.<ref name=DVDDM/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.cnet.com/news/0-1003-200-330046.html |title=Divx debut in limited rollout|first=Stephanie|last=Miles|date=June 8, 1998|website=CNET News|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000915105519/http://news.cnet.com/news/0-1003-200-330046.html|archive-date=September 15, 2000|url-status=dead|access-date=September 18, 2019}}</ref> Initially, only a single Zenith player was available starting at $499, along with 20 to 50 titles. Very few players sold during this time period, with The Good Guys chain alleging that fewer than 10 players were sold during this time period.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thedigitalbits.com/articles/divxgoodguys.html|title=Divx at the Good Guys|date=September 15, 1998|website=The Digital Bits|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000815194656/http://www.thedigitalbits.com/articles/divxgoodguys.html|archive-date=August 15, 2000|url-status=dead|access-date=September 18, 2019}}</ref> A nationwide rollout began three months later, on September 21, again with only one Zenith player and 150 titles available in 190 stores in the western U.S.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.twice.com/domains/cahners/twice/archives/webpage_3091.htm|title=Divx Rolling Out; Western States Lead In Launch |date=September 7, 1998|website=TWICE|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19981202195144/http://www.twice.com/domains/cahners/twice/archives/webpage_3091.htm|archive-date=December 2, 1998|url-status=dead|access-date=September 18, 2019}}</ref>

At the format's launch, DIVX was sold primarily through the Circuit City, [[Good Guys (American electronics chain)|Good Guys]], and [[Ultimate Electronics]] retailers. The format was promoted to consumers as an alternative to traditional video rental schemes with the promise of "No returns, no late fees." Though consumers could just discard a DIVX disc after the initial viewing period, several DIVX retailers maintained DIVX recycling bins on their premises. On September 22, 1998, a fourth retailer, Canadian [[Future Shop]], signed a contract with DIVX to stock the format, although only in 23 stores in the U.S. only.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.news.com/News/Item/0,4,26682,00.html|title=Canadian firm extends Divx reach|first=Stephanie|last=Miles|date=September 22, 1998|website=CNET News|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19990222153451/http://www.news.com/News/Item/0,4,26682,00.html|archive-date=February 22, 1999|url-status=dead|access-date=September 18, 2019}}</ref> Thomson's player, after multiple delays, arrived on October 3, 1998,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.cnet.com/news/0-1006-200-336297.html|title=Thomson unveils Divx player |first=Stephanie|last=Miles|date=October 2, 1998|website=CNET News|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20001021134623/http://news.cnet.com/news/0-1003-200-333809.html|archive-date=October 21, 2000|url-status=dead|access-date=September 18, 2019}}</ref> followed by Panasonic's on December 10.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.cnet.com/news/0-1003-200-333809.html|title=Curtain rising on new Divx player |first=Stephanie|last=Miles|date=December 10, 1998|website=CNET News|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20001026170055/http://news.cnet.com/news/0-1006-200-336297.html|archive-date=October 26, 2000|url-status=dead|access-date=September 18, 2019}}</ref> The format made its overall national debut on October 12, 1998.{{citation needed|date=September 2019}} A marketing push began that November for the 1998 holiday season, with more than $1 million going into the campaign.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.techweb.com/wire/story/TWB19981106S0023|title=DVD, Divx Promotions Kick In For Christmas|first=Andy|last=Patrizio|date=November 6, 1998|website=TechWire|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20001101094745/http://www.techweb.com/wire/story/TWB19981106S0023|archive-date=November 1, 2000|url-status=dead|access-date=September 18, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newtekniques.com/TekTicker/Archives/tektick030.html|title=Divx Battle Intensifies!|date=January 4, 1999|website=New Tekniques |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010210210829/http://www.newtekniques.com/TekTicker/Archives/tektick030.html|archive-date=February 10, 2001|url-status=dead|access-date=September 18, 2019}}</ref> The fortunes of the format would seemingly turn for the better in mid-December 1998, when a shortage of DVD players occurred.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://community.etown.com/news/articles/dvdshortage121798dea.html|title=Are DVD Players Dwindling?|first=David J.|last=Elrich|date=December 17, 1998|website=E/Town News|access-date=September 18, 2019}}{{dead link|date=July 2020|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>  In total, 87,000 players were sold during the final quarter of 1998, with 535,000 discs across 300 titles being sold, although fewer than 17,000 accounts for DIVX were created.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.unik.no/~robert/hifi/dvd/news05.html|title=Less than 17,000 Divx accounts registered|first=Robert|last=Aas|date=January 4, 1999|website=DVD News|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000229073048/http://www.unik.no/~robert/hifi/dvd/news05.html|archive-date=February 29, 2000|url-status=dead|access-date=September 18, 2019}}</ref>