Microsoft Updates Windows Media 7
Microsoft today announced a Windows Media 7.1 update for Media Player, Encoder, and SDK. According to the software giant, "these version updates offer a way for consumers, digital media professionals, IT professionals and software developers to take full advantage of the breakthrough audio and video quality of the latest Microsoft Windows Media Audio and Video 8 codec technology released in March." Updates include the addition of CD ripping, transcoding, automated encoding, and a Media Format Component SDK.
Windows Media Player 7.1 supports CD ripping using the latest audio codec. Microsoft touts CD-quality music at 64 Kbps, half the size of MP3 files. 'Snart Transcode' is now also offered, a technology allowing users to lower the size and quality of files when transferring to portable devices.
"These updates demonstrate our continued commitment to offer our customers the best software to create their personal digital music collections, distribute live and on-demand video over the Internet, or to help develop their own custom digital media solutions and software," stated Microsoft Digital Media manager Dave Fester, in today's press release.
For business environments, a new deployment pack for Media Player 7.1 will debut this summer. The pack will give network administrators the ability to limit usage of the software and automate updates from a central location.
To download Windows Media Player 7.1 and Encoder, visit FileForum. Developers can learn more about the Windows Media SDK on MSDN.