New Features for DivX Connected Server Version 1.2

Feature Updates

This page describes how to use some of the new features in the latest DivX Connected server software release.

Note: Plug-ins and themes created for builds prior to server 1.2 may cease to work after you upgrade. Visit http://labs.divx.com/connected/plugins for the latest versions.

Table of Contents
1.  Connected Themes Update
2.  Plug-in Update
3.  Zoom-By-Numebrs Update
4.  New Services Update
5.  Format Support Update


Connected Themes
DivX Connected themes are collections of images, icons, colors and fonts that can be used to replace elements of the 10-foot user interface (UI) seen at the TV. Switching between installed themes is as easy as pressing the ‘Menu’ button from the DivX Connected home screen. Themes can be as basic as a background image replacement, or as complex as complete font, color and icon replacements. A collection of DivX community themes can be browsed at http://labs.divx.com/connected/themes.

Selecting a Theme
If you have installed or created your own theme, change themes at the home screen by doing the following:
    1.    Press ‘Menu’
    2.    Choose ‘Select a Theme…’
    3.    Highlight the name of the theme and press ‘Enter’
The screen should refresh and you will be presented with the updated theme. Each DivX Connected device in your environment can select from any of the different themes installed on your DivX Connected server(s).

Installing a Theme
To install a theme, open it with your PC directly from a web site or download the file(s). If you have downloaded your theme’s .ZTH file (e.g. mahjong.zth), simply open the file and your DivX Connected software will install it to the themes menu for you.

To remove a theme, you need to remove the corresponding .ZTH file from the themes folder on your server. The themes folder should be located here: C:\Documents and Settings\[username]\Application DataDivX\DivX Connected\framework\themes

Easy Plug-in Installation
Plug-ins are mini applications that add features, content and services to your DivX Connected experience. They are accessed from a top level menu on the DivX Connected interface, and can be added and removed according to your preference.
You can browse the collection of DivX community plug-ins at http://www.divx.com/plugins.

Installing a Plug-in
If your plug-in came as a .ZPI file (e.g. gmaps.zpi), you simply open the file and the DivX Connected software will install it to the plug-ins menu for you.

If the plug-in came as a .CPI with other loose files (e.g. weather.cpi), you will have to place these files in C:\Documents and Settings\[username]\Application DataDivX\DivX Connected\framework\plug-ins. See the plug-in developers’ documentation if you require more assistance.
To remove a plug-in, you need to remove the corresponding .ZPI or .CPI file from the plug-ins folder on your server, which should be located here: C:\Documents and Settings\[username]\Application DataDivX\DivX Connected\framework\plug-ins

Create Your Own!
Creating your own plug-ins and themes can be fun and easy! Visit http://labs.divx.com/connected for more information.
 
Zoom-by-Number for Extreme Aspect Ratios
For photos that have extremely narrow or wide aspect ratios (e.g. panoramic photos), a new zoom-by-numbers feature will adapt the zoom behavior to make it easier to zoom in for more detail. Page up and page down still works as zoom in and zoom out, and the 0 key resets the photo to full screen.

Here is an examle of a panoramic aspect ratio	This photo gets divided into 9 regions horizontally
Pressing the '1' key opened the far left region	The zoom behavior has adapted to 3x3
Pressing the 6 key opened the middle-right revion.	And so on...

New Services
After installing this new server, new items will be made available under 'services on the main menu.  DivX Connected is now offering streaming content from EPIC-FU, Frederator, Indy Mogul, and Pulp Secret.  The content is updated on a regular basis and will be available on-demand for DivX Connected users.

More than Just DivX
As you already know, out of the box, your DivX Connected device currently supports DivX, Xvid, and WMV codecs and since version 1.2.0 MPEG-1, DV and MJPEG are also supported. You may have also heard that via the DirectShow configuration file, you can get DivX Connected to transcode a multitude of other codecs and containers, including Quicktime, H.264, *.mov, *.mp4, *.m4v, *.mkv, and more.

This latest server release includes updates that should allow for more efficient transcoding as well as support for more containers and codecs. For information on how to unleash the transcoding capabilities of Connected, visit the forums at http://labs.divx.com.