GDV File – What is .gdv file and how to open it?
GDV File Extension
Gremlin Digital Video – file format by Gremlin Interactive
GDV (Gremlin Digital Video) is a proprietary video file format developed by Gremlin Interactive for use in their video games. It is a container format that stores video in a compressed format using the proprietary Gremlin Video Codec (GVC). GDV files can also contain audio data, which is typically stored in the WAV format.
GDV File Format
A GDV file is a proprietary video file format developed by Gremlin Interactive for use in their video games. It contains compressed video data, typically using the Motion JPEG (MJPEG) compression algorithm. GDV files are designed to be played back smoothly on low-end hardware, as they use a relatively low bitrate.
Usage in Gremlin Games
GDV files were primarily used in Gremlin Interactive’s video games, such as Zool, Bush Buck, and Sheep. The games contained pre-rendered video cutscenes, intro sequences, and gameplay videos that were stored in GDV format. These files provided a way to include visually appealing video content in the games without requiring a high amount of storage space or processing power. GDV files also supported basic playback features such as fast forward and rewind.
Method 1: Using the Original Software
Gremlin Digital Video (GDV) files are video files created using Gremlin Interactive’s proprietary video codec. To open and play GDV files, you will need to use a software program that supports the GDV format. One such program is Gremlin Interactive’s own GDV Player, which is available as a free download from the company’s website. Once you have installed the GDV Player, you can simply double-click on a GDV file to open it in the player.
Method 2: Using Conversion Tools
If you do not have access to the original software used to create the GDV file, you can use a conversion tool to convert the file into a more common video format, such as AVI or MP4. This will allow you to play the video using a wider variety of software programs. Several free and paid conversion tools are available online, such as Any Video Converter and Freemake Video Converter. To convert a GDV file using a conversion tool, simply select the file you want to convert and choose the desired output format. The conversion tool will then automatically convert the file for you.
GDV File Format: Origin and Development
The GDV file format, an acronym for Gremlin Digital Video, was developed by Gremlin Interactive, a British video game company that operated from 1984 to 2003. GDV was primarily designed to store video cutscenes and game demos for distribution on CD-ROM and DVD-ROM media. These files were commonly utilized in Gremlin Interactive’s games and were often accompanied by accompanying audio files in the GDS format. GDV files are known for their efficient compression, enabling the storage of high-quality video content within a relatively small file size.
Technical Specifications and Usage
GDV files are structurally similar to AVI (Audio Video Interleave) files. They consist of an RIFF (Resource Interchange File Format) header followed by a sequence of video and audio chunks. The video data is typically encoded using either the Indeo4 or Cinepak compression formats, while the audio data is usually in PCM (Pulse-Code Modulation) format. GDV files can contain multiple video streams and audio tracks, allowing for complex video presentations. They are commonly found in classic Gremlin Interactive games, including titles such as “Actua Golf,” “Warhammer: Shadow of the Horned Rat,” and “Worms Armageddon.”