Industry Leaders Embrace Windows Media Video 9 (VC-1) and Windows Platform to Reinvent Broadcast Distribution and Media Creation

Industry Leaders Embrace Windows Media Video 9 (VC-1) and Windows Platform to Reinvent Broadcast Distribution and Media Creation

CBS NEWSPATH is deploying Windows-based system for nationwide news delivery; other Windows Media Video 9 (VC-1) products and services debuting at NAB 2005.

LAS VEGAS, April 18 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Today at the National Association of Broadcasters convention, NAB2005, Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ:MSFT) announced that leading professional broadcasters and solution providers are now using Windows(R) XP and Windows Media(R) Video 9 (Microsoft's implementation of VC-1, the proposed Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE) standard) to power new levels of efficiency in broadcast production and distribution. CBS NEWSPATH, the world's largest satellite newsgathering operation and a technology leader in its field, is deploying a news contribution and distribution system developed by Generation Technologies Corp. using Windows Media Video 9 (VC-1) for the rapid, cost- effective and high-quality delivery of CBS content to and from its nationwide affiliates.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20000822/MSFTLOGO )

Also at NAB2005, Microsoft is demonstrating a new 64-bit version of Windows, Windows XP Professional x64 Edition, a powerful platform with faster performance, increased control and enhanced reliability, ideal for media creation. Producers of leading content creation tools, such as Cakewalk and NewTek Inc., have announced plans to deliver 64-bit implementations, and Microsoft will demonstrate the forthcoming 64-bit version of Windows Media Encoder.

"Windows Media Video 9 (VC-1) and Windows are revolutionizing traditional broadcast workflow and delivery processes," said Amir Majidimehr, corporate vice president of Windows Digital Media at Microsoft. "As the industry looks to replace traditional tape-based workflows and realizes the potential offered by going digital, it is turning to Windows Media Video 9 (VC-1)-based solutions for their unmatched quality and efficiency."

Broadcast Leaders Turn to Quality and Efficiency of Windows Media Video 9 (VC-1)

Broadcast industry leaders are taking advantage of the cost savings, efficiency and quality of using Windows Media Video 9 (VC-1) to power the next evolution in broadcast production processes and to deliver content over Internet Protocol television (IPTV) networks. CBS NEWSPATH is deploying a breakthrough Windows PC-based news contribution and distribution system developed by Generation Technologies using Windows Media Video 9 (VC-1) for the acquisition and redistribution of digital content to more than 200 CBS news affiliates nationwide.

"The adoption of Windows Media Video 9 (VC-1) coupled with this next- generation NEWSPATH Now II system will allow us to better communicate with our stations and improve the way we deliver news to them," said John Frazee, senior vice president of News Services at CBS News. "NEWSPATH has a history of using leading-edge technology to help our affiliates and partners compete, and Windows Media Video 9 (VC-1) will allow us to operate more efficiently and cost-effectively."

Other companies announcing the use of Windows Media Video 9 (VC-1) for production solutions and distribution include the following:

* IPV Ltd., a global leader and the largest independent supplier of video browsing technology to the professional video market, announced that its SpectreView video browsing solution supports Windows Media Video 9 (VC-1). The adoption of Windows Media Video 9 (VC-1) allows for higher-quality browse images and a reduction in storage space for IPV customers.

* Run Digital Media Corp. will announce how it is distributing paid programming using the Internet, Windows Media Video 9 (VC-1) and Windows Media Player 10 to create a tapeless working environment for broadcasters that is streamlined and more cost-effective.

In addition, companies announcing products and solutions that facilitate the delivery of content over IPTV networks using Windows Media Video 9 (VC-1) include the following:

* Advanced Digital Broadcast is announcing support for Windows Media Video 9 (VC-1) on its award-winning 3100W IPTV set-top box; Windows Media Video 9 (VC-1) will also be supported on future products in its technology road map.

* SyncCast and Digital Rapids Corp. are announcing that they are providing major cable companies and telecoms with a secure, live streaming Windows Media Video 9 (VC-1) encoding solution for delivering live content encoded in Windows Media Video 9 (VC-1) using Windows Media Digital Rights Management (DRM) 10 over IPTV networks.

Powerful Windows XP Professional x64 Edition Content Creation Tools in Development

Windows XP Professional x64 Edition, a new 64-bit version of Windows that will be demonstrated at NAB2005, provides faster performance, increased control and enhanced reliability for content creators. Cakewalk recently made available a free, 64-bit technology preview version of its leading audio production environment, SONAR 4 Producer Edition, that provides users with nearly unlimited potential for working with RAM-intensive projects which make extensive use of samplers and numerous audio loops and tracks. NewTek announced that its Emmy-winning LightWave 3D application was the first professional 3-D graphics application to unveil 64-bit support, revolutionizing the way animators and artists approach their work by streamlining the production process. Microsoft will demonstrate a new 64-bit version of Windows Media Encoder, showing its commitment to enabling advanced content creation capabilities on Windows XP Professional x64 Edition.

VC-1 Progressing Toward Standardization

VC-1 recently reached the critical step of Final Committee Draft (FCD) status with the SMPTE's C24 Technology Committee. Content created in VC-1 will be compatible with the Windows Media Video 9-based PC, Windows CE-based device and TV experiences available today. VC-1 is under consideration by a number of standards and industry organizations, and completion of the work with SMPTE will allow interested parties to make a simple reference to the SMPTE standard to standardize it within their group.

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Microsoft, Windows and Windows Media are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries. The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20000822/MSFTLOGO PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com Source: Microsoft Corporation

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