Windows Media 9 SDK Available -- The new software development kit for Microsoft Windows Media 9 Series will help you create streaming media solutions. ++ Tags: ActiveX, ActiveX Control, Application Development, Audio, Development, Digital Media, Microsof

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As part of the release of its Windows Media 9 Series technology -- a group of software components you can use to create streaming media applications such as content authoring, delivery, and playback -- Microsoft is offering related tools, programs, and utilities for developers.

The Windows Media 9 Series platform was announced in mid-2002. See "Microsoft Announces Update to Windows Media Platform" at http://Advisor.com/doc/10251 for the original report. It includes a new encoder, streaming server in Windows Server 2003, media player, and software development kit (SDK).

Components available in the Windows Media 9 SDK include:

Windows Media Player 9 Series SDK: Provides information and tools to customize Windows Media Player and the Windows Media Player ActiveX control. Also provides information on Windows Media metafiles.
Windows Media Format 9 Series SDK: Supports the new Windows Media Audio and Video 9 Series codec. Provides technology and documentation so you can create and work with Windows Media files in applications.
Windows Media Encoder 9 Series SDK: Enables you to develop a Windows Media Encoder application using an automation-based API.

For more information on these components, go to http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/downloads/list/winmedia.asp.

The final versions of Windows Media Player 9 Series, Windows Media Encoder 9 Series, and Windows Media 9 Series SDK are available for public download at http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/download/default.asp.

Windows Media competes with the popular MPEG format for digital audio and video. The two camps are butting heads over Microsoft's new licensing fees, also announced recently, for Media 9 audio and video compression technology (known as codecs). The company is charging US$0.10 per decoder and $0.20 per encoder ($0.25 for both), both of which run on Windows and non-Windows platforms. The MPEG LA group, which includes companies with patents for the MPEG-4 standard, charges $0.25 per encoder and decoder and $0.50 for both. These companies and other MPEG proponents say Microsoft is undercutting MPEG licensing to prevent consumers, developers, and vendors from adopting an open standard that could let different products work together.

TECH NEWS

Windows Media 9 SDK Available

The new software development kit for Microsoft Windows Media 9 Series will help you create streaming media solutions.

Windows Media 9 SDK Available

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Web Edition: 2003.01.14, Doc #11728

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