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This document explains the advantages of upgrading your Web site to the Microsoft® Windows Media® 9 Series platform, which includes such components as Windows Media Encoder, Windows Media Services, and Windows Media Player. It discusses enhancements to the Windows Media Player 9 Series Software Development Kit (SDK), as well as deployment and backward compatibility issues.
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by John Shaw
Microsoft New Media Platforms Division
November 2003
Applies to: Windows Media 9 Series, Windows Media Encoder 9 Series, Windows Media Services 9 Series, Windows Media Player 9 Series, Windows Media Player 9 Series Software Development Kit
IntroductionThis document is intended to help Web site developers and information technology professionals understand the advantages of upgrading a Web site to the Microsoft Windows Media 9 Series platform. It contains the following topics:About Windows Media 9 Series. Briefly describes the components of the series, including Windows Media Encoder, Windows Media Services, and Windows Media Player. What's New?. Provides an overview of the new features of Windows Media 9 Series, including improved support for still images, Fast Streaming, performance improvements, and privacy and security enhancements. Codec Improvements. Describes the advantages of the new and improved Windows Media 9 Series codecs. Player ActiveX Control Improvements. Explains how the Windows Media Player ActiveX® control has been improved, including support for Netscape browsers, enhanced Media Library access, rich media streaming, invisible user-interface mode, and more. Deployment Considerations. Covers issues such as Player version support, browser compatibility, and which codecs are supported in each version of the Player. New Capabilities. Provides more detail on new features such as enhanced Media Library support, rich media streaming, time compression and expansion support, HTML View, and the ability to open the Player from a Web page. Backward Compatibility. Covers changes that have been made to address security and privacy issues, issues using the Windows Media Player 6.4 ActiveX control when Windows Media Player 9 Series is installed, and the new Player 6.4 ActiveX control wrapper. Getting Started. Describes the steps Web site developers should take to ensure that their sites take full advantage of Windows Media 9 Series and to avoid potential compatibility problems. Summary. Summarizes why it is advantageous to upgrade your Web site to Windows Media 9 Series. For More Information. Lists additional sources of information about Windows Media 9 Series, including the Windows Media Player 9 Series SDK.
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About Windows Media 9 SeriesWindows Media 9 Series is an end-to-end digital media platform that contains the following components:Windows Media Encoder 9 Series Windows Media Services 9 Series Windows Media Player 9 Series Windows Media 9 Series codecs Windows Media Rights Manager 9 Series SDK Windows Media 9 Series Software Development Kit (SDK)
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What's New?Windows Media 9 Series includes many new features, such as:Improved support for still image files (.jpg and .gif). Because these file types can now be referenced in playlists, it is much easier to deliver interstitial advertisements to both the stand-alone and embedded Windows Media Player. - Fast Streaming. A feature of Windows Media Services 9 Series, Fast Streaming enables you to ensure the best user experience by delivering content through a combination of streaming, downloading, and caching. Fast Streaming consists of four components:
Fast Start. Enables the beginning portion of the content to be downloaded to Windows Media Player at the maximum available bandwidth, reducing the amount of time required to fill the buffer of the Player and reducing the amount of time the user has to wait before playing content. Fast Cache. Enables Windows Media Services to make use of any additional bandwidth to send data to the buffer of the Player, allowing the Player to better withstand network bandwidth fluctuations. Fast Recovery. Enables the Windows Media server to provide an uninterrupted viewing experience to users receiving content over high-latency network connections, such as wireless and satellite networks, by using forward error correction to greatly reduce packet corruption and interruption. Fast Reconnect. Enables the server to automatically restore client connections, including connections to encoders, distribution servers, and players, that are lost during a broadcast because of adverse network conditions.
Privacy and security enhancements. Changes have been made to the Windows Media Player SDK and Windows Media Player ActiveX control to better protect user privacy and security. Performance improvements. A variety of performance improvements have been made to the platform, including a reduction in the time required to load a Web page that includes the Player control.
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Codec ImprovementsWindows Media 9 Series features new and improved codecs (compressor/decompressors), including:Windows Media Audio 9 Professional. This codec provides a full surround sound experience and dynamic range control. It intelligently folds down multichannel audio to two channels (stereo) or one channel (mono), depending on the speaker configuration of the playback device. It is intended for data rates of 128 to 768 kilobits per second (Kbps). Windows Media Audio 9 Lossless. This codec provides lossless encoding of audio content. It supports multichannel audio encoding and dynamic range control. Windows Media Audio 9. This codec provides a 20 percent improvement in compression over the Windows Media Audio 8 codec. It supports variable-bit-rate (VBR) audio encoding. Windows Media Audio 9 Voice. This codec offers superior quality for audio content with a voice emphasis. It provides mixed-mode encoding of voice and music and is intended for playback at bit rates of 20 Kbps or lower. Windows Media Video 9. This codec creates high-quality video for streaming, download-and-play, and physical format delivery scenarios. It provides a 15 to 50 percent improvement in compression over the Windows Media Video 8.1 codec, with significant improvement at higher bit rates. This codec enables playback of interlaced content on televisions and set-top boxes. Windows Media Video 9 Screen. This codec provides improved handling of shaded images, screen motion, and scrolling for screen captures. It supports one-pass constant-bit-rate (CBR) and VBR encoding with no frame dropping. This codec is fully optimized for both streaming and download-and-play scenarios.
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Player ActiveX Control ImprovementsThe Microsoft Windows Media Player ActiveX control object model provides scripting interfaces that enable Web developers to add Windows Media Player functionality to Web pages. By embedding the control in an HTML page, you can use Internet Explorer or Netscape Navigator to craft visually complex graphical environments that take advantage of a rich and dynamic event model. Using the Player control, you can completely sculpt the Web site user's audio and video experience.
The Player control adds new functionality in Windows Media Player 9 Series. It also updates and extends existing functionality from the previous version. New and updated features include:Support for Internet Explorer 5.01 and later, Netscape Navigator 4.7, Netscape Navigator 6.2, and Netscape Navigator 7. Enhanced and updated Media Library support. The Windows Media Player 9 Series ActiveX control provides greater access to metadata in a user's Media Library. For example, you can determine how many times a user plays a particular song or content by a particular artist, and then use that information to offer that user related products or services. Rich media streaming, which enables efficient delivery of synchronized HTML data over a network in a single stream. Language selection. New properties and methods enable you to take advantage of multiple language tracks. For example, you can automatically provide your audio stream in the language that is appropriate for each user. Time compression and expansion, which enables users to slow down or speed up content while still preserving pitch. This enables users to review material such as newscasts or informational videos more quickly or to slow down playback to understand details more clearly. Invisible user-interface (UI) mode. A new value for the Player.uiMode property, "invisible", gives you the ability to embed the control in a Web page without displaying the Player interface to Web site visitors. This mode is particularly advantageous in audio-only scenarios such as Internet radio. Support for SMPTE time code. SMPTE time code is the industry-standard way of identifying individual video frames. Enhancements to closed captioning support. The ClosedCaption object exposes new methods and properties for working with languages and styles in Synchronized Accessible Media Interchange (SAMI) files. For example, you can automatically provide captions in the language that is appropriate for each user.
Note that the Windows Media Player 9 control has the same CLASSID number as the Windows Media Player 7 control (6BF52A52-394A-11D3-B153-00C04F79FAA6). If you already embedded the Windows Media Player 7 control in your Web pages, you do not have to modify the CLASSID number in your Web page code to take advantage of the Windows Media Player 9 Series control.
For more information about the Windows Media Player object model, see the Windows Media Player SDK.
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Deployment ConsiderationsWhen you create your Web site, you need to be aware of each user's computer configuration. For example, you need to know which versions of the operating system, Player, and browser each user has installed so that you can provide the best playback experience.
You also need to determine the best delivery option (for example, as a stream or as a download), and whether you should use playlists on the server or use local .asx metafiles.
Once you determine what computer environments your visitors have, you can choose how to configure your site to best serve them. For example, if many of your users are running Microsoft Windows® 95 and they cannot upgrade to Windows Media Player 9 Series, you may want to provide them with an earlier version of the control. Or, to ensure the best user experience, you might require that users have the latest Player installed.
Either way, you should use some kind of code detection or "sniffing" so you can serve your users the right content for their environments. Sample detection code is available in the Windows Media Player SDK. This sample code is designed for easy integration into existing Web pages and enables Web site developers to choose which operating systems, browsers, and Player versions they want to support.
The following sections explain the specific codec, operating system, and browser requirements for the Windows Media 9 Series platform.
CodecsIn general, if you want to provide content encoded in Windows Media 9 Series formats on your Web site, your users must have Windows Media Player 7 or later installed on their computers to play it. However, note the following exceptions:Only users who have Windows Media Player 9 Series installed on their computers will be able to play content that was encoded using the advanced features of the Windows Media Audio 9 Professional codec (multichannel audio, 24-bit audio, and dynamic range control). Users who have Windows Media Player 6.4, Windows Media Player 7 for Mac, or Windows Media Player for Mac OS X can play content encoded by the Windows Media Audio 9 codec; however, they will not be able to play content encoded by the other Windows Media 9 Series codecs, such as Windows Media Video 9, Windows Media Audio 9 Professional, Windows Media Audio 9 Lossless, Windows Media Audio 9 Voice, or Windows Media Video 9 Screen. Users who have Windows Media Player 9 Series for Mac OS X can play content encoded by both the Windows Media Audio 9 and Windows Media Video 9 codecs. Note, however, that when playing content encoded by the Windows Media Audio 9 Professional codec, content with an audio sampling rate higher than 48 kilohertz (KHz) outputs at a maximum rate of 48 KHz. Also note that it is not possible to play content encoded by the Windows Media Audio 9 Lossless codec when the content has an audio sampling rate higher than 48 KHz. In addition, note that Windows Media Player 9 Series for Mac OS X does not support the Windows Media Video 9 Screen codec.
Operating SystemTo take full advantage of Windows Media 9 Series, users should have Windows Media Player 9 Series installed on their computers. This version of the Player is supported on a wide variety of operating systems, including:
Windows Media Player is also available for Macintosh computers. There are additional items to consider when distributing content to Macintosh users. For detailed information, see the article "Windows Media Player for Mac Guide for Internet Content Providers" at the Microsoft Web site.
BrowsersThe Windows Media Player 9 Series ActiveX control supports the following browsers:Internet Explorer 5.01 and later Netscape Navigator 4.7, Netscape Navigator 6.2, and Netscape Navigator 7
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New CapabilitiesThis section provides more detail on new features such as enhanced Media Library support, rich media streaming, time compression and expansion support, HTMLView, and opening the Player from a Web page.
Enhanced Support for Media LibraryMedia Library is a database of information about the digital media content that is stored on a user's computer or digital media content that the user has played by using Windows Media Player. Some of the information is displayed in the Media Library feature in Windows Media Player; a larger set of information can be accessed programmatically.
Digital media items can be organized in playlists. Playlists can be created by users, and you can also create them through code. The Windows Media Player object model includes objects and methods you can use to manipulate both individual digital media items and playlists. It is possible to query Media Library using both standard playlists and auto playlists, which are a feature of Windows Media Player 9 Series.
The properties and methods of the Windows Media Player object model that access Media Library require either read-only or read/write access to the database. Media Library contains information that some users want to keep private, and this information should only be accessed or altered with their consent.
To determine the current level of access granted to your code, retrieve the Settings.mediaAccessRights property. That property returns "none", "read", or "full" (read/write). To request specific access rights, call the Settings.requestMediaAccessRights method, passing a parameter that specifies the level you are requesting. The method displays a message to the user explaining the requested level of access, and returns a Boolean value indicating whether the access was granted.
If you intend to request access to a user's Media Library, users are more likely to consent if you explain how granting your site access will benefit them (for example, you will be able to provide users with music recommendations or other value-added services).
After your Web page has been granted access, it could query a user's Media Library, for example, to determine how frequently he or she listens to a particular song or artist. Using that information, you might choose to present the user with an offer to purchase a related album or to sign up for a digital media subscription service that features that artist.
Rich Media StreamingRich media streaming is the efficient delivery of HTML data over a network in a single stream. Windows Media Player and the Windows Media server provide smooth, timely delivery of audio, video, and HTML to the browser.
The synchronized audio, video, and HTML can be displayed in the stand-alone Player or in a Web page. The effect is similar to the one created by Microsoft Producer for PowerPoint® when you synchronize your PowerPoint slides with a video of your presentation.
Rich media streaming also enables you to incorporate branding or other information around your digital media content. See the Windows Media Encoder SDK and Windows Media Format SDK for more information.
Time Compression and ExpansionTypically, speech can be hard to understand when a file is played slower or faster than normal. The time compression and expansion feature in Windows Media Player 9 Series, however, enables users to speed or slow playback of content without affecting the pitch of the audio. This feature enables a variety of useful playback scenarios.
For example, if you are watching a training video and you are already familiar with the subject matter, you can play the video faster than normal to save time. If you reach a section that is new to you and the speaker is talking too quickly, you can play the video slower than normal so you do not miss anything. In both scenarios, although the speaker speaks more quickly or slowly, the speaker's voice sounds normal and intelligible.
Time compression is exposed in the Windows Media Player SDK through the Settings.rate property.
Although time compression is available in other configurations, it works best when a user is running Windows XP and is playing Windows Media-based content that is streamed from a computer running Windows Media Services 9 Series (called a Windows Media server).
HTMLViewWindows Media metafiles enable you to display Web pages as items in a playlist play. These Web pages appear in the Now Playing pane in place of a visualization or video. Using HTML code, you can supplement your digital media content with custom content or advertisements, or you can provide a custom user interface that supplements the user interface of the Player.
To specify HTML content to embed in the Player, use the PARAM element and set its NAME attribute to "HTMLView" and its VALUE attribute to the URL of the content you want to display. If the PARAM element is a child of the ASX element, it appears for the entire duration of the playlist. If it is a child of an ENTRY element, it appears for the duration of that playlist entry only, which enables you to specify supplemental content that changes depending on what is playing.
Opening the Player from a Web PageWindows Media Player 9 Series provides many new capabilities for integrating custom experiences into the Player itself. These capabilities provide a clean, consistent experience for content providers and users.
The Windows Media Player SDK includes a new method to open the customized full-mode Player from a Web page. The method, openPlayer, starts the Player with the specified URL set as the current media item.
By using this method in conjunction with HTMLView, you can specify the exact digital media Web experience that appears in the user's stand-alone Player. You can direct users who do not have the latest version Player installed to a standard Web page with an embedded Player instead.
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Backward CompatibilityChanges were made to the Windows Media Player SDK to address a variety of security and privacy issues. In order to make these changes without altering the code in the Player 6.4 control, a wrapper was created to map the Player 6.4 control to the Windows Media Player 9 Series control.
The wrapper is installed automatically when a user installs Windows Media Player 9 Series. The wrapper provides users with the benefits of the latest Windows Media Player 9 Series control, such as security and privacy improvements, without requiring that you make significant changes to your existing Web page code.
If you are using the Player 6.4 control in your Web pages and you want to be able to serve content to a user who has Windows Media Player 9 Series installed, there may be some instances in which you need to modify your Web page code. For instance, you should check your code for any use of unsupported methods, properties, or events. For more information, see the article "Compatibility and Future Support for the Windows Media Player ActiveX Control" at the Microsoft Web site.
In addition, Windows Media Player 9 Series now enables users to select whether a unique Player ID is transmitted to content providers. If the user selects this option, the Player sends a unique ID to the Windows Media server. If the user does not select this option, the server generates a random session ID, which is unique for each client for a given session.
Note that when the Windows Media Player 9 Series control is embedded in a container other than Internet Explorer, the wrapper passes all calls through to the Windows Media Player 9 Series control.
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Getting StartedTo get started migrating your Web site to Windows Media 9 Series and to avoid potential problems, do the following:Install the Windows Media Player 9 Series SDK. It includes information about all the supported and unsupported APIs. Review your current Web page code and test for compatibility. The easiest way to do this is to install the latest version of the Player on a computer and then browse your Web pages. At a minimum, verify that your content plays as expected, that the playback controls appear correctly, and that the video window is sized properly. Migrate to the new Windows Media Player 9 Series ActiveX control. The Player 6.4 control has fewer features and is less secure than the new control. In addition, support for the Player 6.4 control is being phased out. Integrate the Windows Media 9 Series platform (Windows Media Encoder, Windows Media Rights Manager 9 Series SDK, Windows Media Services, and Windows Media Player) for the best user experience. You can start by updating your Web pages to use the Windows Media Player 9 Series control, but if you want to take advantage of Fast Streaming, for example, you need to upgrade to Windows Media Services 9 Series. If you want to take advantage of the new codecs, you need to upgrade to Windows Media Encoder 9 Series.
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SummaryBy upgrading your Web site to the Windows Media 9 Series platform, you can offer your users the best digital media experience available. Benefits of Windows Media 9 Series include:Improved codecs Improved support for still images Fast Streaming Rich media streaming Enhanced Media Library support Time compression and expansion support HTML View Ability to open the Player from a Web page Various performance improvements Many privacy and security enhancements
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For More InformationTo learn more about Windows Media 9 Series, see these resources:"Compatibility and Future Support for the Windows Media Player ActiveX Control" at the Microsoft Web site. "Windows Media Player for Mac Guide for Internet Content Providers" at the Microsoft Web site.
Legal Notice
This software is based in part on the work of the Independent JPEG Group.
GIF decompression code, copyright 1990, David Koblas. Permission to use, copy, modify, and distribute this software and its documentation for any purpose and without fee is hereby granted, provided that the above copyright notice appear in all copies and that both that copyright notice and this permission notice appear in supporting documentation. This software is provided "as is" without express or implied warranty.
Portions, Copyright © 1994-2000 World Wide Web Consortium, (Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Institut National de Recherche en Informatique et en Automatique, Keio University). All Rights Reserved. http://www.w3.org/
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