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Microsoft Corp.

Philips Electronics and Cisco Join Industry Leaders in Supporting Windows Media

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Philips Electronics, a leading set-top box manufacturer, and Cisco Systems Inc., the worldwide leader in networking for the Internet, have announced their support for Microsoft Windows Media, a digital media platform that enables streaming media to mainstream consumers. This collaboration aims to bring broadband services to cable customers, expanding the audience for streamed broadband content. The integration of Windows Media with Philips' set-top boxes and Cisco's networking solutions will provide a comprehensive digital media access solution for cable operators and subscribers.

Key Takeaways:

  • Philips Electronics will support streaming video and audio in its new set-top cable device, featuring built-in support for Windows Media Technologies running on TriMedia-based software using the Microsoft TV platform.
  • The Philips set-top box will enable pay-per-download, pay-per-view, and rich media advertising opportunities for the cable industry.
  • Cisco Systems will provide quality-of-service improvements to cable operators for streamed Windows Media-streamed content, ensuring a consistent and high-quality experience for subscribers.
  • The Windows Media Broadband Jumpstart initiative, a collaborative effort of more than 80 industry leaders, aims to provide consumers with a greater selection of high-quality content by improving broadband business models and accelerating the adoption of household use of broadband services.
  • The Windows Media Platform has been downloaded over 50 million times, with a growth rate of one download per second.
  • Microsoft's Windows Media Technologies 4 includes Windows Media Player, Windows Media Services, Windows Media Tools, and the Windows Media SDK, available for free download at http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/.

Statistics:

  • Philips Electronics set-top box will be deployed in Europe beginning in mid-2000, marking a significant milestone in the adoption of Windows Media.
  • The Windows Media Broadband Jumpstart initiative has more than doubled the number of participating companies in less than two months.
  • Over 1,000 content providers offer content on Windows Media, including major music and video events.
  • Microsoft Windows Media Technologies platform is the leading digital media platform, providing unmatched audio and video quality.
  • WindowsMedia.com is one of the fastest-growing major audio and video guides on the Internet, providing access to localized audio and video content worldwide.

Sources:

  • "PRNewswire" (Dec. 15)
  • "Microsoft Corp." (Nasdaq: MSFT)
  • "Philips Electronics"
  • "Cisco Systems Inc."
  • "Windows Media" press release (Sept. 1999)

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