Is XviD Still Relevant in 2026? The Codec That Refuses to Die

XviD turned 25 in 2026. Let that sink in. A codec born in 2001 - when most people were still on dial-up and "streaming" meant watching a buffering icon for 10 minutes - is still being discussed, downloaded, and yes, actually used.
 

But should it be?

We last covered this topic in our 2024 relevance guide, and since then, the video landscape has shifted significantly.

AV1 has gone mainstream, AI-powered upscaling has become ubiquitous, and yet - XviD files keep appearing in our support queries.

So let's dig in.

XviD in 2026 - The Current State

The XviD project has been essentially dormant since version 1.3.7, with no major updates for over a decade.

The codebase remains functional but frozen in time - a digital fossil from the MPEG-4 Part 2 era. However, "no updates" doesn't mean "no users".

Here's what's actually happening with XviD in 2026:

Legacy content is everywhere.

Millions of XviD-encoded files exist on hard drives, NAS systems, and yes, those dusty DVD-Rs in your closet.

These files don't magically disappear just because newer codecs exist.

Embedded systems still rely on it.

Older DVR systems, security cameras from the 2010s, and some industrial equipment still output XviD.

Replacing functional hardware just for codec compatibility isn't always practical or cost-effective.

Retro computing communities love it.

If you're running vintage hardware or emulating older systems, XviD's low computational requirements make it genuinely useful - sometimes the only viable option for smooth playback.

XviD vs Modern Codecs - The 2026 Reality Check

The numbers don't lie. At equivalent quality, a 700MB XviD file would be around 350MB in H.264, 175MB in H.265, and potentially under 150MB in AV1.

For new content, there's simply no technical justification for choosing XviD.

How to Play XviD Files in 2026

Got old XviD files? Here's how to play them without issues:

Option 1: Use a universal codec pack.
The K-Lite Codec Pack remains the gold standard for adding XviD support (and hundreds of other formats) to Windows.

Install it once, play everything forever.

Option 2: Use VLC Media Player.
VLC has built-in XviD decoding and handles virtually any container format you throw at it.

No additional codecs needed.

Option 3: Stream with Kodi.
For media server setups, Kodi handles XviD files seamlessly and can even transcode on-the-fly if your playback device lacks native support.

Should You Convert Your XviD Collection?

This is the question we get most often. Our honest answer: it depends on how much you value your time.

Convert if: You're running low on storage, you want to add your files to modern streaming services, or you frequently play content on devices without XviD support (smartphones, smart TVs, browsers).

Don't bother if: The files play fine on your current setup, storage isn't an issue, or the content isn't important enough to justify hours of transcoding.

If you do decide to convert, FFmpeg is your best friend.

A simple command like: 
ffmpeg -i input.avi -c:v libx264 -crf 23 -c:a aac output.mp4 will modernize your files while maintaining quality.

For batch conversions with a graphical interface, HandBrake offers preset profiles optimized for various devices and platforms.

XviD's Unexpected 2026 Comeback - AI Upscaling

Here's something we didn't predict in 2024: AI upscaling has given old XviD content new life.

Tools like Topaz Video AI and open-source alternatives can take a grainy 480p XviD file and intelligently upscale it to 1080p or even 4K.

The irony isn't lost on us. Content that was once compressed to fit on a single CD-R is now being "enhanced" to fill terabytes. The circle of digital life continues.

XviD's Legacy - What It Actually Gave Us

Before we deliver our verdict, let's acknowledge what XviD contributed to video technology:

It democratized video compression. Before XviD, high-quality video encoding was expensive and proprietary.

XviD proved open-source codecs could compete with - and sometimes beat - commercial alternatives.

It enabled the digital video revolution. For better or worse, XviD made it practical to share video files over early broadband connections.

This paved the way for the streaming era we live in today.

It set the template for future open codecs. The XviD project's approach influenced VP8, VP9, and eventually AV1.

The royalty-free codec movement owes XviD a debt of gratitude.

What's Next?

Will we write another XviD article in 2028? Probably. Will XviD still be relevant then?

In the same way vinyl records and film cameras are "relevant" - not as practical tools, but as reminders of how far we've come.

For now, XviD remains what it's been for years: a perfectly functional codec for legacy content, a terrible choice for anything new, and a fascinating piece of digital archaeology.

Got questions about codecs, conversion, or why your 2005 vacation videos look like they were filmed through a potato?

Drop a comment below or check out our complete guides section.