Microsoft Announces Windows Media Technologies 7

At the NAB show today, Microsoft (http://www.microsoft.com) announced the introduction of Windows Media Technologies 7, its latest streaming media system. Beta version of the system will be available in May.

"Technology that takes full advantage of Internet broadband is the key tothe next wave of media innovation," said Will Poole, vice president of theDigital Media Division at Microsoft. "Coupled with rapidlyincreasing bandwidth to the home, Windows Media 7 will hasten the merger ofthe Web and media worlds."

New features in the system include: the ability to capture video at 60fps through the new Windows Media Encoder 7, an advanced digital rightsmanagement system, and a built for Windows 2000 media server capable of serving 9,000 concurrent narrowband streams.

Just two weeks ago Microsoft unveiled the beta edition of its Windows Media Player with a consumer bent. It has a radio function, CD support, skins and other new features.

The Windows Media Player 7 Preview and SDK is available at: (http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/).