Microsoft PlayReady: Summary of Features
Microsoft PlayReady technology provides the premier platform for applying business models to the distribution and use of digital content. Some of the PlayReady business models, features and benefits are listed below. For more information, please refer to the PlayReady Overview White Paper.
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On This Page
 | Enabling Business Models for Digital Content |
| Enhanced Content Access Features |
| Multiple Distribution Options |
Enabling Business Models for Digital Content
Microsoft PlayReady supports a wide range of business models for digital content providers, including:
| • | Subscription: Provides access to an entire catalog of content in exchange for a recurring fee. |
| • | Purchase: Offers content for purchase and download. |
| • | Pay Per View: Provides pay-per-view choices for all content types. |
| • | Rental: Enables rental scenarios with time-based licenses. |
Enhanced Content Access Features
Microsoft PlayReady provides enhanced features designed to enable new consumer entertainment scenarios:
| • | Protection for many content types: Protects games, images, and ringtones, in addition to music and video. For audio and video content, Windows Media Audio (WMA), Windows Media Video (WMV), Advanced Audio Coding (AAC), AAC+, enhanced AAC+, and H.263 and H.264 codecs. |
| • | Use of multiple devices in domains: Makes it easy for consumers to transfer and enjoy content on all of their supported devices. |
| • | Embedded licenses: Enables smoother transfer of content from device to device and from PC to device. |
| • | Backward compatibility: Permits devices that support Microsoft PlayReady to play back content protected with Windows Media DRM (digital rights management technology). |
| • | Rights visibility: Provides more information about content usage rights to your users. |
| • | Error granularity: Provides clearer and more helpful error messages to users. |
| • | Easier deployment: Rapidly develop support for Microsoft PlayReady in new mobile devices. |
Multiple Distribution Options
Microsoft PlayReady supports many different options for distributing content:
| • | Basic and progressive downloads: Content can play while downloading. |
| • | Streaming: Content can be streamed to devices. |
| • | Side-loading: Content can be synced from a PC to a mobile device supporting Microsoft PlayReady. |
| • | Direct License Acquistion over the air: Content and license can be provided directly to a mobile handset over wireless networks. |
| • | Super-distribution: Content sent over user-to-user distribution channels, such as e-mail, multimedia messaging services (MMS), informal WiFi networks, and Bluetooth, can be monetized by providers. |