REDMOND, Wash., July 16, 2001 — Microsoft Corp., together with CyberLink Corp., InterVideo Inc. and RAVISENT Technologies Inc., today announced two new add-on products for Microsoft® Windows® XP. The first is the MP3 Creation Pack, which will for the first time enable CD ripping (recording) into the MP3 format using Windows Media™
Player for Windows XP. The second add-on is the DVD Decoder Pack, which will install support for the playback of DVDs via Windows Media Player for Windows XP if a user does not have a DVD decoder. CyberLink, InterVideo and RAVISENT each will offer Microsoft Windows XP users the opportunity to purchase the MP3 Creation Pack and the DVD Decoder Pack separately or together.
Today’s announcement provides consumers with more flexibility and choice for the format into which they want to rip their CDs and the software vendor they use to get MP3 and DVD support on their PC. It also demonstrates the growing third-party software developer support for Microsoft’s new innovative MP3 and DVD plug-in architecture in Windows Media Player for Windows XP unveiled earlier this year.
“Windows XP provides a great experience for MP3 users and, with the addition of the new add-on packs, it just got better,” said Dave Fester, general manager of the Windows Digital Media Division at Microsoft. “Customers now have expanded choice for both of the leading digital music formats, as well as a great selection of vendors to choose from in CyberLink, InterVideo and RAVISENT.”
Taking MP3 Support in Windows Media Player to a New Level
CyberLink, InterVideo and RAVISENT’s MP3 Creation Packs for Windows XP will for the first time offer users an easy way for Windows Media Player for Windows XP users to rip personal CD collections into the MP3 format at high-speed bit rates. This new ability adds to the already unprecedented support for MP3 in Windows Media Player for Windows XP and ensures that Windows XP will provide the best and most complete MP3 experience of any operating system. Since 1999, Microsoft has been among the major players licensing and supporting the reference-standard Fraunhofer MP3 codec for playback in Windows Media Player versions 6.4, 7, 7.1 and the upcoming Windows Media Player for Windows XP.
Beyond CD ripping for MP3, Microsoft announced in February that Windows XP users will be able to play their existing MP3 music collections, add album art and lyrics to their MP3 music collections, create playlists that combine MP3 and Windows Media Audio music, burn music CDs and transfer MP3s to portable music devices. Windows XP even offers intelligent media management so that when consumers move an MP3 file anywhere on their computer, the Windows Media Player will automatically know where it has moved on the PC.
Easier DVD Support in Windows XP
The DVD Decoder Pack for Windows XP will also be offered by CyberLink, InterVideo and RAVISENT for Windows XP users who have PCs with DVD drives but do not have a DVD decoder preinstalled on their PC. This new add-on pack ensures that users of Windows XP with a DVD drive can play their favorite DVDs in the Windows Media Player just as they play their CDs, digital music and movies. The Windows Media Player also enhances the playback of DVDs with new innovative features including full-screen video controls for DVD playback, easy-to-navigate DVD chapter listings, and the first built-in support for All Media Guide’s (AMG’s) DVD metadata information such as cover art, chapter listings, and actor and director credits.
Availability
CyberLink, InterVideo and RAVISENT will each offer for download via the Web an MP3 Creation Pack for Windows XP and a DVD Decoder Pack for Windows XP. Users of Windows XP will be able to order and download these new add-on packs from each company’s Web site via links inside Windows Media Player for Windows XP. The add-on packs for Windows XP can be purchased separately or together and will be available for download by
Oct. 25. Pricing for each pack will be determined by the respective company.
About Windows Media
Windows Media is the leading digital media platform, providing unmatched audio and video quality to consumers, content providers, solution providers, software developers and corporations. Windows Media offers the industry’s only integrated rights-management solution and the most scalable and reliable streaming technology tested by independent labs. Windows Media Technologies includes Windows Media Player for consumers, Windows Media Services for servers, Windows Media Tools for content creation, and the Windows Media Software Development Kit (SDK) for software developers. Windows Media Player, available in
26 languages, is the fastest-growing media player. More information about Windows Media can be found at http://www.microsoft.com/windowsmedia/ .
About CyberLink
CyberLink develops award-winning software solutions utilizing digital video and audio kernel technology. The company fully utilizes the powers of today’s personal computer and Internet connectivity to create new applications that maximize personal video entertainment, enhance visual communication and increase corporate productivity. Today, CyberLink offers two major product lines: Digital Video Applications and Streaming Multimedia Solutions. Digital Video Applications focus on providing video/audio playback and recording capabilities on the personal computer. These award-winning software applications are ideal solutions for building home theaters and digital video centers right from today’s mainstream computers. Streaming Multimedia Solutions offer breakthrough technologies to stream and manage high-quality, media-rich contents on the Internet.
About InterVideo
InterVideo is a leading distributor of software DVD solutions worldwide. The company produces and markets the award-winning WinDVDR player-decoder for Windows, as well as other advanced audio and video software products. Customers include Compaq, Creative Labs, Dell, Fujitsu, Fujitsu Siemens, Gateway, Hitachi, HP, IBM, Micron, Panasonic, Sharp, Sony, Tiny and Toshiba. InterVideo’s executive team is comprised of PC veterans instrumental in the formation of the PC multimedia industry, coming from industry pioneering companies such as NexGen, LuxSonor, Sigma Designs, Chromatic Research and ST Microelectronics. InterVideo has headquarters in Fremont, Calif., and regional offices in Europe, Taiwan, Japan and Torrance, Calif. For more information about IVI, contact InterVideo at (510) 651-0888 or visit the Web site at http://www.intervideo.com/ .
About RAVISENT
RAVISENT is an IP licensing company providing digital audio and video software to leading PC OEMs, empowering them to deliver highly competitive, cost-effective products with a strong time-to-market advantage. RAVISENT software and intellectual property is contained in products from Compaq, Dell Computer, Gateway, Hewlett-Packard, Micron, Matrox, ATI Technologies and STMicroelectronics. Founded in 1994, RAVISENT is a global company, headquartered in Malvern, Penn., with offices in the Silicon Valley and Japan. More information about RAVISENT is available at http://www.ravisent.com/ .
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and Internet technologies for personal and business computing. The company offers a wide range of products and services designed to empower people through great software — any time, any place and on any device.
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