Stage6 to Shut Down

So 4 days after professing my love for Stage6, and essentially creating this blog around the premise of posting high definition video from Japan. Apparently DivX has decided to pull the plug.

"I’m Tom (aka Spinner), a Stage6 user and an employee of DivX, Inc., the company behind the service. I’m writing this message today to inform you that we plan to shut down Stage6 on February 28, 2008. Upload functionality has already been turned off, and you’ll be able to view and download videos until Thursday."

You can view the rest of the message here: Stage6 to Shut Down. Some of the 3,000 comments are pretty entertaining too.

Wow. Awesome...

Not only was it the main factor in our decision to create our first blog, but served as a convenient host for all our images too. I was so impressed with the site's functionality, that should DivX roll out a similar premium service, I would gladly sign up. Depending on the price of course.

Heh, I was actually considering adding my personal Stage6 link to about 200 new business cards that I'm having printed up for this trip to Japan. For once, my procrastination has been a good thing, as I haven't submitted them to the print shop yet.

I think Stage6 user Pewdie said it best:

"3 DAYS NOTICE; THANKS A LOT SHITFACE!"

Because Stage6 was run by and required DivX format for upload, I guess many users bought the DivX Converter specifically for use with Stage6. As a video editor, I've never had use for the DivX codec, until Stage6, so I can see why someone who made the purchase would be upset.

Oddly enough, on my last flight to Japan, I sat next to an employee of DivX. When he saw my camera gear, he gave me a free copy of DivX Pro to use. Which I promptly tossed in my pile of media crap upon returning back to San Francisco. Once I was introduced to Stage6, like 2 weeks ago, I dug through the pile and installed the software. It seemed strange that an unwanted souvenir from my first trip to Japan was going to be so useful by allowing me to host free HD content from the second trip.

I think that DivX exec was just waiting for me to finally sign up and start using his gift... only to pull the rug out from under me.

R.I.P. Stage6