Microsoft unveils Windows Media 9
C|Net | at | by Mike
Microsoft on Wednesday introduced its long-awaited digital media software, Windows Media 9, in an effort to establish dominance for its operating system in distributing high-quality digital content. Microsoft founder Bill Gates will formally launch the software Wednesday evening at an extravagant party in Los Angeles. In true Hollywood fashion, Gates will be joined by "Titanic" director James Cameron, Beatles producer Sir George Martin, and musician LL Cool J in showing off the technology.
Many of the biggest improvements were made to the audio and video performance. As expected, Microsoft released new audio and video codecs, which like MPEG-4, use a smaller file--or bit--size. The company estimates content creators can get 20 percent smaller file sizes with the same quality that they get now. Another audio enhancement lets content providers stream in 5.1 sound, which would improve the quality of sound for concerts or movies streamed over the Web.