Digital Media Timeline in Windows
In 1991, Microsoft Corp. added the first digital audio and video capabilities to the Microsoft Windows operating system with Multimedia Extensions in Windows 3.0. From that simple beginning,
Microsoft has continued to develop the core digital media capabilities of Windows, responding to customer demands for ever-more powerful, integrated and easy-to-use digital media features.
This timeline illustrates how these capabilities have grown and evolved over the years.
Windows 3.0 with Multimedia Extensions
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Introduced: Fall 1991, about six months after Sound Blaster card adds digital audio sound capabilities to PC platform.
Key features and formats: First media player in Windows. Simple audio playback takes advantage of new PC sound capability. Plays CDs and waveform files.
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Windows 3.1
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Introduced: April 1992
Key features and formats: Visual refresh. |
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Windows 95, 98
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Introduced: December 1994
Key features and formats: First 32-bit Media Player. Adds support for Microsoft MPEG4 v1 and v2 video codecs, ACELP filter, FHG filter, Voxware MetaSound/MetaVoice audio
codecs, Vivo G.723 audio and Vivo H.263 video.
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Windows 2000
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Introduced: October 1999
Key features and formats: Unifies Windows Media Player with the streaming functionality previously found in NetShow server. Adds support for Microsoft v3 video codec and
Windows Media Audio codec.
Innovations:
- CD quality at ½ the size of MP3
- Digital Rights Management for music and video
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Windows Millenium Edition
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Introduced: September 2000
Key features and formats: Adds digital media library, CD copying, new user-interface, CD metadata from All Music Guide, Media Guide, Radio Tuner, CD burning and more. Adds
support for Windows Media Screen Capture codec and Windows Media Audio and Video 7 codecs.
Innovations:
- All-in-one player
- Integrated Digital Rights Management
- Integrated device support
- Integrated music jukebox
- Skins support
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Windows XP
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Introduced: October 2001
Key features and formats: Integrated CD burning in the operating system, improved user-interface, DVD playback, improved sound quality, Intelligent Media Management, improved
MP3 support including optional MP3 encoding, and improved device support. Adds support for Windows Media Audio and Video 8 codecs.
Innovations:
- Integrated DVD playback
- DVD Metadata
- Intelligent media management
- Full MP3 playback support
- My Music folder
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Windows XP media update with Windows Media 9 Series
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Introduced: January 2003
Key features and formats: Adds mini-player mode, queue-it-up, cross-fading, auto-volume leveling, variable speed playback, Info Center view, advanced tag editor, auto playlists
and ratings. Also adds support for new Windows Media Audio 9 Lossless, variable bit-rate (VBR) encoding, 20-bit HDCD playback, video smoothing technology for narrowband content,
and more.
Innovations:
- WMA Pro Surround Sound Audio (5.1 and 7.1 support)
- WMV Hi-Definition video (720p/1080p)
- Video smoothing
- Variable speed playback
- Integrated services
- Plug-in support
- Ratings and Auto Playlists
- Live DRM
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2003 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Microsoft, NetShow, Windows, the Windows logo, and Windows media are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in
the United States and/or other countries. The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.
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