What does Windows Media 9 mean for Apple?
So does anyone in this forum know what it means to Apple's pro production plans if Windows Media 9 Series becomes the standard for digital theater systems?
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/030403/sfth027_1.html
Will this put Apple-based productions at a disadvantage or will everything be put into standards so that it won't make a difference?
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/030403/sfth027_1.html
Quote:
For the first time, a critical mass of the independent film industry's infrastructure will be wired for digital distribution. This helps address the escalating costs of releasing theatrical films, which weighs heaviest on the independent sector, as it must pay the same costs to release a film as the major studios. The creation of a complete digital alternative represents a major breakthrough in these economies that will help guarantee greater diversity and access to the marketplace for independent filmmakers and distributors alike.
The newly outfitted theaters will be able to screen films encoded digitally in Windows Media 9 Series, which enables high-resolution, theater-quality experiences with up to 7.1 channel surround sound. The network rollout is expected to be completed by the end of this year.
The DCS Cinema System employs a networked PC architecture that integrates into existing theater infrastructure. Once the network is in place, Windows Media 9 Series allows films to be sent to theaters over private networks, on CD-ROM or on DVD-ROM, all protected with Windows Media Digital Rights Management technology.
For the first time, a critical mass of the independent film industry's infrastructure will be wired for digital distribution. This helps address the escalating costs of releasing theatrical films, which weighs heaviest on the independent sector, as it must pay the same costs to release a film as the major studios. The creation of a complete digital alternative represents a major breakthrough in these economies that will help guarantee greater diversity and access to the marketplace for independent filmmakers and distributors alike.
The newly outfitted theaters will be able to screen films encoded digitally in Windows Media 9 Series, which enables high-resolution, theater-quality experiences with up to 7.1 channel surround sound. The network rollout is expected to be completed by the end of this year.
The DCS Cinema System employs a networked PC architecture that integrates into existing theater infrastructure. Once the network is in place, Windows Media 9 Series allows films to be sent to theaters over private networks, on CD-ROM or on DVD-ROM, all protected with Windows Media Digital Rights Management technology.
Will this put Apple-based productions at a disadvantage or will everything be put into standards so that it won't make a difference?
Comments
Originally posted by MacGregor
So does anyone in this forum know what it means to Apple's pro production plans if Windows Media 9 Series becomes the standard for digital theater systems?
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/030403/sfth027_1.html
Will this put Apple-based productions at a disadvantage or will everything be put into standards so that it won't make a difference?
I think a new Windows Media Player is on the way. ESPN Motion uses Windows Media codes for version8 or 9. There is a Mac OS X version on the way. We're going to see an update. It's been long over due.
...again...
j/k - it was the first thing that popped into my head.
I think it'll be a real shame if M$ manages to stomp around and break things even more.
Originally posted by MacGregor
Will this put Apple-based productions at a disadvantage or will everything be put into standards so that it won't make a difference?
I doubt this will have much of an impact since projector hardware will set the standard. Thankfully, hardware interfaces seldom change for expensive products that are not frequently replaced. There are very few independent film houses that can afford to buy a digital projector with a propriety interface which could only be fed MS content. Projectors are really really expensive.
To tear apart the press release a bit more: ...
The newly outfitted theaters will be able to screen films encoded digitally in Windows Media 9 Series, which enables high-resolution, theater-quality experiences with up to 7.1 channel surround sound. The network rollout is expected to be completed by the end of this year.
Up to 7.1 channels? The .1 makes me think this is the LFE signal encoded in DD or DTS formats. 7.1 is actually 5.1 with a matrixed rear channel AND one additional rear channel. The matrixed rear channels of 5.1 are un-matrixed, and the sixth channel is substitutued for both rear surround channels. Hmmm... sounds like my living room experience off of a consumer DVD player, HT receiver, and DLP projector.
So... sounds like MS just invented a proprietary distribution format that doesn't have much of an advantage over a plain old DVD. Either that, or they figured with so many HDTV formats used for distribution, no one would notice if they slipped another, incompatible format into the mix.
Originally posted by dfiler
[B]I doubt this will have much of an impact since projector hardware will set the standard. Thankfully, hardware interfaces seldom change for expensive products that are not frequently replaced. There are very few independent film houses that can afford to buy a digital projector with a propriety interface which could only be fed MS content. Projectors are really really expensive.
dfiler: I think you are right about hardware driving that particular content delivery industry. I work at a museum with an Omnimax theater and the hardware is so expensive, that it drives the standard by simple dollars.
What concerns me is that those first theaters buy their $100k's systems with M$'s "help" then they can't afford to change again for 50 years! Then the hardware WILL drive the need for software, but right back to Microsoft. At least in the consumer computer industry, the average person or family can buy a new computer or PlayStation every 5 years or so. This is M$ gambit into an industry like business that means long term stability and monopoly .... and even if Apple owns FCP and Shake and much of the production side of the process, I don't want the entire industry to have to tithe Redmond just to get it on the screen!
This is the model M$ used for the desktop. M$ convince the industry and the courts that the computing experience is the start up screen and not the box. In the same way it may make sure that the words "Microsoft" are the first things you see before the trailers even run....like THX and the wierd Pepsi girl commercials only more insidious!
holy oxymorons batman
<< virus writers and script kiddies worldwide wet themselves with anticipation >>
Originally posted by curiousuburb
a microsoft network for distribution and security
holy oxymorons batman
<< virus writers and script kiddies worldwide wet themselves with anticipation >>
Yeah, no kidding. As much as I hate to see MS get their hands on anything, at least we'll get free high quality movies out of it .
What does Windows Media 9 mean for Apple? _
Keep it alive, it's as simple as that