Microsoft Announces New Windows Media Developer Resources For Next Generation of Digital Audio and Video Applications

REDMOND, Wash., Nov. 10, 1999 — Microsoft Corp. today announced immediate availability of a new unified Windows Media TM Software Development Kit (SDK), the most comprehensive set of tools for developing digital media applications. Now a wide range of developers can use a single set of tools for Windows Media development. The Windows Media SDK enables independent software vendors (ISVs), hardware manufacturers and Web professionals to integrate market-leading audio, video and digital rights management technology into their solutions.

Also today, Microsoft unveiled two new resources for developers using Windows Media. The MSDN TM Online Windows Media Developer Center Web site, located at http://msdn.microsoft.com/windowsmedia/ , is a comprehensive Web-based resource devoted to digital media developers as part of the MSDN developer program. In addition, a new eight-hour Windows Media Technical Training Seminar, presented by developers using Microsoft® Windows Media, will be available on demand using Windows Media or via order on CD-ROM in December.

The new Windows Media SDK meets the needs of the broad range of developers by including the most complete family of components for ISVs, hardware manufacturers, content developers and system administrators. This new unified SDK brings together existing tools as well as the Windows Media Format SDK beta component. The Windows Media SDK includes the following:

  • New Windows Media Format SDK. This component, currently in beta release, enables ISVs to integrate Windows Media into their own applications, such as music players, jukeboxes or content-authoring tools. It replaces the Windows Media Audio SDK released in August and adds video support, richer audio support, and allows applications to directly edit audio and video in Windows Media Format. The Windows Media Format SDK beta release contains the revolutionary Windows Media Device Manager (WMDM), also announced today, and is supported by a broad range of software and hardware manufacturers. WMDM provides the industry with the first cost-effective, standardized platform for the secure transfer of digital media while enabling Secure Digital Music Initiative (SDMI)-capable applications and hardware.

  • Windows Media Services SDK. The Windows Media Services SDK provides management tools, giving Web site developers, content developers and system administrators the ability to configure, monitor, log and manage Windows Media server components. It also delivers integration of Windows Media Services components with Web-site-management applications. For example, developers can link with existing customer databases using this SDK to create applications that authenticate users for a streamed event.

  • Windows Media Player SDK. This component enables developers to easily build their own custom media player using the Windows Media Player ActiveX® Control. This SDK also enables developers to embed the Windows Media Player into any Web site, application or document, allowing the playback of streamed media within a browser control instead of an installed client player.

  • Windows Media Encoder SDK. This allows Web site developers or administrators to do batch processing of large amounts of content encoding via a batch process on a server or, through the development of a custom application, automate encoding of audio and video into a Windows Media stream for playback from a Windows Media-based server.

“Windows Media is the leader in providing a digital media platform that a wide range of developers can build upon,”
said Anthony Bay, general manager of the Streaming Media Division at Microsoft.
“The Windows Media SDK and the new industry resources we are providing today illustrate our commitment to giving developers the most comprehensive set of tools for building digital media applications, Web sites and hardware devices.”

MSDN Online Windows Media Developer Center

Today Microsoft also launched the MSDN Online Windows Media Developer Center ( http://msdn.microsoft.com/windowsmedia/ ). This new Web-based resource is the premier location for the most current Windows Media tools and technical information. The Web site will also offer technical articles, hints and tips for the development and deployment of streaming media, online training and code samples.

New Windows Media Technical Seminar

Microsoft is offering a one-day technical seminar for both content developers and application developers at Streaming Media West 99 in San Jose, Calif., on Dec. 6, 1999. This eight-hour seminar will be available in December as online technical training. More details can be found at http://msdn.microsoft.com/windowsmedia/ .

Availability

The Windows Media SDK and all of its components are available today for immediate download at the new MSDN Online Windows Media Developer Center Web site at http://msdn.microsoft.com/windowsmedia/ .

About Windows Media Technologies

Windows Media Technologies is the leading digital media platform that provides consumers, content providers, solution providers, software developers and corporations with unmatched audio and video quality. Windows Media Technologies 4, which includes Windows Media Player, Windows Media Services, Windows Media Tools and the Windows Media SDK, is available for free* download at http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/ . More

than 40 million copies of the free* Windows Media Player have been downloaded to date – and this number grows by more than one every second.

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq
“MSFT”
) is the worldwide leader in software 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

*Connect-time charges may apply.

Microsoft, Windows Media, MSDN and ActiveX are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.

Other product and company names herein may be trademarks of their respective owners.

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