|
E-mail us with your comments and feedback about this article. |
Describes Microsoft Windows Media technologies that can be used to set up a server system that delivers downloadable media through a purchase or subscription service from an online store. This article also outlines some basic information about how to implement the server technology used in this type of scenario.
|
|
Janet Thomas Microsoft Corporation January 2006
Applies to: Microsoft® Windows Server™ 2003 with Internet Information Services Microsoft Windows Media® Encoder 9 Series Windows Media Encoder 9 Series Software Development Kit Windows Media Rights Manager Windows Media Rights Manager Software Development Kit
Contents
IntroductionTo provide customers with music and video that they can download to a personal computer or to a mobile device, most mobile service providers repurpose existing content from pre-recorded sources. The content is generally made available through a Web server. When a customer initiates a file download, their personal computer or a mobile device with a data connection to the Internet, establishes a connection with a Web server. If the download is part of a service that is offered exclusively by a mobile provider, the Web server may be located within the provider's network. Otherwise, the connection request can be passed through the provider's network to the Internet.
This scenario describes the Microsoft® Windows Media® technologies that can be used to encode the music and video your customers are downloading in the Windows Media format, and to make sure it is protected using Windows Media Digital Rights Management.
 Back to Top
TechnologiesMicrosoft® Windows Media® technologies enable unsurpassed quality, a great user experience, and the ability to protect media content with Windows Media Digital Rights Management (DRM) 10.
The following table describes the Windows Media technologies that can be used on a server system to create a media download service that is enhanced by Windows Media technologies.
| Technology | Description |
|---|
Web server
| A Web server is used to host the Web pages for an online store.
Microsoft Windows Server™ 2003 operating systems with Internet Information Services are ideal for hosting a Web site that gives your customers access to the content over the Internet.
Microsoft partners can also set up this type of system for you or provide you with a Windows Media hosting service.
| Windows Media Encoder and Software Development Kit (SDK)
| The encoder compresses and encodes audio and video content to a Windows Media file or live stream. The SDK enables you to automate the encoding process for large numbers of media files.
To download the Windows Media Encoder 9 Series SDK, see Windows Media Encoder 9 Series SDK on the Microsoft Download Center.
Several Microsoft partners have already implemented this technology and are available to assist you with your encoding needs. For more information, search the Windows Media Serivce Provider Program Directory.
| Windows Media Rights Manager Software Development Kit (SDK)
| This SDK enables you to build a rights management server so you can to distribute digital media files securely over a network. This SDK can help you build a customized platform that integrates with the authorization, authentication and accounting (AAA) server system that applies your business rules.
For more information, see About Windows Media Rights Manager 10.1 SDK.
|
Along with your download, you may want to add a music preview feature that streams a 30-second clip of a song. For more information on how to implement music previews, see the Server: Streamed Radio and Music Preview Scenario.
Back to Top
ImplementationIf you are like most mobile service providers, you are more likely to repurpose existing content from pre-recorded sources than create your own music files. But existing content can come in various formats so it may be necessary to encode the content before making it available to your online store customers, especially if you are providing music or video that can be downloaded directly to a mobile device.
Microsoft® Windows Media® Encoder 9 Series is a powerful production tool for converting both live and prerecorded audio and video into Windows Media files. When this is used in conjunction with the Windows Media Encoder Software Development Kit (SDK), encoding tasks can be automated. Microsoft has a huge network of partners that are already using these technologies. These partners use automated processes that encode hundreds or even thousands of files to the Windows Media format very quickly and efficiently. For more information on a Microsoft Windows® Media Service Provider in your area, search the Windows Media Service Provider Program Directory.
A Web server is used when implementing a media download scenario, instead of a Windows Media Server which is designed to stream media files. On the server computers, Internet Information Services (IIS) serves Web pages that provide the online store user interface. ASP pages create Windows Media Rights Manager 10 objects to handle license requests and perform metering aggregation tasks for subscription services.
The Windows Media Rights Manager 10 SDK provides the components required to create a Windows Media DRM license server. You can also use this SDK to work with portable devices that support Windows Media DRM 10 for Portable Devices.
The Windows Media Rights Manager SDK helps protect digital music files by packaging them in an encrypted file format. A packaged file contains a version of a "protected" file that is encrypted and locked with a "key" after business usage and distribution rules are added to the content header. This packaged file is also bundled with additional information from the content provider and, optionally, from the distributor. The result is a protected Windows Media file that can only be played by a user who has obtained a license.
This article will not cover setting up a Web server, but it will cover encoding content and applying rights management to protect the music files. If you would like to build your own online music store, here are a few articles that might help you get started.
You can build your own online store, or work with a Microsoft partner or service provider. For more information about a Microsoft partner in your area, search the Windows Media Service Provider Program Directory.
Windows Media EncoderWith the Windows Media Encoder, you can specify the Windows Media audio codec that is used on your audio files, specify the bit rate, and in turn modify the size of the media file. You can also convert raw audio or other audio files to the Windows Media Audio (WMA) format. The new Windows Media Audio 10 Professional codec is designed specifically for encoding audio files that will be played back on a mobile device. There are several Windows Media Video codecs available as well. If you are repurposing content, encoding it using the Windows Media Encoder may or may not be a necessary step. It will depend on the format and size of the files that you are repurposing.
The encoder works well for a small number of files, but if you need to encode a large number of files, you may want to consider using the Windows Media Encoder SDK.
Windows Media Encoder Software Development Kit (SDK)The Windows Media Encoder 9 Series SDK is designed for anyone who wants to develop a Windows Media Encoder application by using a powerful automation-based application programming interface (API). With this SDK, a developer using C++, Microsoft Visual Basic®, or a scripting language can capture multimedia content and encode it into a Windows Media-based file or stream. These tools are great for automating the encoding process for custom applications and solutions that allow you to encode large volumes in a short amount of time.
To download the Windows Media Encoder 9 Series SDK, see the Windows Media Encoder 9 Series SDK Web page.
Windows Media Rights ManagerThe basic Windows Media Rights Manager process is as follows:Protect the file by adding business usage and distribution rules to the content. Package the file with encryption, add other information, such as the URL where the key can be found, and save the file in Windows Media format (.wma or .wmv file name extension). Place the file on a Web site for download. Establish a license server to authenticate customer requests.
When the customer attempts to play the protected content, Windows Media Rights Manager either sends the user to a registration page where information is requested or payment is required, or silently retrieves a license from a clearinghouse. With a version of the Player that supports Windows Media Digital Rights Management, the customer can then play the file according to the rules or rights that are included in the license.
For more information about the architecture of the Windows Media Rights Manager and a description of the Windows Media Rights Manager SDK that is used to enable server-side applications, see:Windows Media Rights Manager SDKThis SDK demonstrates how to develop Windows Media Rights Manager-enabled server-side applications. It also provides components that are required to create a Windows Media digital rights management (DRM) license server. Windows Media DRM is a proven platform to protect and securely deliver content for playback on a computer, portable device, or network device. It is flexible enough to support a range of business models including the following download scenarios.
Purchase: One way that an online store provides downloadable music and video to customers is by selling an open license. With this type of service, the customer pays a one-time fee to enjoy unlimited playback of the material. This is the online store equivalent of a retail store.
Subscription: Another way an online store provides downloadable music or video is by subscription. In the subscription model, customers pay a periodic fee, typically every month, to enjoy limited use of content from an online catalog. If the user chooses not to continue his or her subscription, the licenses for any downloaded content simply expire, disabling playback.
Rental: With video content, an online store can also provide downloadable video on a rental basis. In this model, the customer pays a fee to view the video and then, after a certain amount of time, the license expires and the video can no longer be viewed.
You can also use this SDK to work with portable devices that support Windows Media DRM 10 for Portable Devices. The Windows Media Rights Manager 10 SDK will be sent after Microsoft accepts a signed SDK license application from you. You will also need to obtain digital certificates to verify your identity.
Back to Top
For More Information
Back to Top
|
