A number of major u.s. studio players and equipment manufacturers have announced support for Divx, an emerging digital video disc technology which provides copyright protection for titles released on the new digital format.

Disney, Paramount, Universal and Dreamworks have agreed to provide movie titles for release on Divx digital discs from Digital Video Express, lp, a partnership of Richmond, Virginia-based consumer electronics retailer Circuit City Stores and l.a. entertainment law firm Ziffren, Brittenham, Branca and Fischer.

The Divx system allows consumers to purchase an encrypted, cd-size movie disc for about us$5 and watch it on a Divx player for a viewing period of two days. The viewing period begins upon pressing play, whether on the day the disc was purchased or months later, and the consumer keeps the disc.

Zenith Electronics, Thomson Consumer Electronics (rca and Proscan brands) and Matsushita (Panasonic brand) have agreed to include the Divx-equipped player in their dvd product lines. Players and discs will be available to consumers in some markets beginning in the spring of 1998.

Divx discs are expected to be sold by retail outlets including video rental stores, audio and video sell-through retailers, and software stores, and will be released simultaneously with vhs titles. Divx promises layers of safeguards against copying and piracy.

The studios have committed to releasing new titles as well as about 1,000 catalogue titles for the format; about 100 titles are expected to be available at launch, increasing to about 500 in the first year.

Through their Divx players and phone line, consumers can purchase additional viewing time, or convert some titles to unlimited viewing. Certain titles will be available at purchase with no viewing time limitations.