Microsoft is submitting the compression technology used in the Windows Media Video (WMV) 9 codec to the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE) C24 Technical Committee for consideration as an openly available international standard. Windows Media Video 9 provides compression efficiency approximately three times that of MPEG-2. The technology scales from SD to HD video and can support multichannel audio, positioning it for content creation, broadcast production, content management and distribution over a variety of networks.
At this week’s International Broadcasting Convention in Amsterdam, Microsoft is showcasing a number of applications where Windows Media 9 Series is being used to distribute content over IP and standards-based Digital Video Broadcast (DVB) and Digital Audio Broadcast (DAB) networks. Microsoft is also highlighting hardware, middleware and content partnerships for Windows Media 9. These include:
- Monaco Telecom, working with Moviesystem of France, offers more than 400 movies in its VOD service using Windows Media Video (WMV) 9 Series streamed from Windows Server 2003.
- NTL Broadcast, Capital Radio and RadioScape will begin live IP datacasting of Windows Media Audio 9 Professional (WMA Pro) 5.1-channel content over L-Band in the central London area starting October 2003. The trial will deliver 5.1-channel surround sound at bit-rates as low as 128 Kbps.
- SES Astra will demonstrate high-definition 720p television transmission via Digital Video Broadcast — Satellite (DVB-S) using Windows Media 9 Series at bit rates as low as 6 to 8 Mbps.
- TANDBERG Television has developed a professional broadcast-quality encoding platform for Windows Media 9 Series.
- Harmonic will add Windows Media Video 9 support to its DiviCom real-time encoding platforms, which also provide MPEG-2 compression.
- Set-top box manufacturers with Windows CE .NET-powered devices supporting Windows Media 9 include Biostar, Costron Company, Pace Micro, Samsung, Tcom&dtvro Co Ltd., and Wyse Technology.
- Alcatel has enhanced its carrier-class 5950 Media Manager software platform to support Windows Media 9 Series and Microsoft Windows CE .NET on a number of leading set-top hardware platforms.
- Orca Interactive Ltd.’s RiGHTv for Windows middleware enables live TV, near-video-on-demand (NVOD) and VOD services powered by the Windows .NET Framework and Windows CE.
- Stellar One Corp. is supporting Windows Media 9 Series in its middleware solution for IP broadband networks.
- Infogate Online’s On Dema for IPTV utilizes the capabilities of Windows Media 9 Series to DSL operators, ISPs, satellite operators and broadcasters to deliver high-quality television services.
- SeaChange’s VOD system now supports streaming of Windows Media 9 Series.
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