Got a folder of old AVI movies and wondering whether to keep them as they are or convert them? Here's how Xvid stacks up against today's codecs.
Short version: Xvid is still fine for watching old videos and for very old hardware.
For anything new, a modern codec gives you the same quality in a much smaller file.
What Is Xvid?
Xvid is a free, open-source video codec. A codec is the part that shrinks a video so it takes less space, then unpacks it again when you press play.
Xvid follows the MPEG-4 Part 2 standard. Its latest release is version 1.3.7, from the end of 2019.
Why So Many Old Videos Are Xvid
In the early 2000s, Xvid was the free alternative to DivX. It could fit a full DVD movie onto a single CD and still look good.
That made it the go-to choice for DVD rips and home video collections. It's why so many AVI files sitting on old hard drives are Xvid inside.
DVD players that carry a DivX logo usually play Xvid files too, which made the format popular in the living room as well.
Xvid vs H.264, H.265 and AV1
Newer codecs do the same job far more efficiently. At the same quality, their files are noticeably smaller, and they handle HD and 4K, which Xvid was never built for.
| Codec | Era | File size at the same quality | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xvid (MPEG-4 Part 2) | Early 2000s | Largest | Old AVI files, old DVD players |
| H.264 (AVC) | Mid 2000s to today | Smaller | Plays almost everywhere |
| H.265 (HEVC) | 2013 to today | Smaller still | HD and 4K on modern devices |
| AV1 | 2018 to today | Smallest | Streaming and the newest hardware |
Phones, TVs and streaming services today use H.264, H.265 or AV1. Xvid is no longer the default anywhere.
When Xvid Still Makes Sense
- Watching your old collection: there's no need to convert AVI files that already play fine. Re-encoding takes time and costs a little quality.
- Old hardware: older DVD players, car stereos and portable players often play Xvid and nothing newer.
- Slow computers: Xvid is very light to play, so it runs smoothly on old PCs that stutter with H.265 or AV1.
- Existing archives: if an old project already uses Xvid throughout, keeping it that way keeps things consistent.
Wondering whether the format is on its way out? We looked at that in Is XviD Still Relevant in 2026?
Keep, Play or Convert? Quick Decision Guide
| Your situation | What to do |
|---|---|
| Old AVI files won't play on your Windows PC | Install the K-Lite Codec Pack - it includes Xvid support |
| You need to make Xvid files for an old player | Install the Xvid Video Codec |
| You want to shrink a big video collection | Convert to H.265 - and keep the originals until you've checked the results |
| Newer AV1 videos won't play on Windows | Install the AV1 Codec |
Tip: Converting an Xvid file to a newer codec won't make it look sharper. It only makes the file smaller - detail lost in the original stays lost.
Quick questions
Is Xvid better than H.264?
No. H.264 gives better quality at the same file size. Xvid's strengths are that it's very light to play and works on very old devices.
Should I convert my Xvid files?
Only if you need to save space or play them on a device that can't handle Xvid. Otherwise, keep the originals.
Is Xvid still updated?
Not often. The latest release is version 1.3.7 from 2019, but players still handle Xvid files without any trouble.
The bottom line
For new videos, H.264, H.265 and AV1 all do a better job than Xvid.
For old AVI files, old players and old PCs, Xvid still works just as it always did.
Need it for your setup? Download the Xvid Video Codec and your classic collection is ready to go.
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