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Last week at the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB), Microsoft made a number of announcements for Silverlight, its rich Web plug-in technology. Some of Silverlight’s future features include OVP (Open Video Player), Set-top Boxes, 3-D Video and “Enhanced Movies”
Open Video Player (OVP) is an initiative encompassing the use of open standards, best practices, and established development methodologies in the development of media player applications.
A set-top box (STB) or set-top unit (STU) is a device that connects to a television and an external source of signal, turning the signal into content which is then displayed on the television screen or other display device.
Silverlight Enhanced movies is a framework that allows you to package your video content in a Blu-Ray/virtual DVD style application, with full support for menuing, scene maps, overlay hotspots, multiple switcheable audio tracks, multi-language captioning, movie extras such as commentaries, cast and crew information etc. SLEM supports both local viewing (download and play), as well as streamed viewing with download to own options. SLEM is also full ready for paid content with full support for both online and offline DRM (Digital Rights Management) powered by Microsoft PlayReady DRM.
Microsoft has recently demonstrated live 3D streaming in both a 10-foot (living room with a big screen TV) and a 2-foot(personal computer) scenario utilizing Smooth Streaming. For the 10 foot experience they have used a 3D capable monitor with shutter glasses and for the 2 foot experience Microsoft has used anaglyph glasses to achieve stereoscopic 3D, with Silverlight and pixel shading combined to facilitate the anaglyph processing.
Microsoft announced widespread industry support for its media and entertainment solutions that simplify the digital supply chain. Ascent Media Group LLC, CTV, KUOW, Major League Soccer, NBC Sports, ProSiebenSat.1 Group AG and Sport1, among others, are working with Microsoft to streamline their content creation, management and delivery processes, bringing premium quality entertainment experiences to multiple screens.
