Gates to crack open the Corona

 

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By Matt Whipp

Posted on 15 Jul 2002 at 18:02

The official public beta release of Windows Media 9, formerly code-named Corona, will be made by Bill Gates in Los Angeles on 4 September.

It probably deserves the Corona moniker more, as it looks to be far more than a nudge along from Windows Media 8. For example, it will be the first codec with the ability to deliver six-channel audio, streamed over the Internet at CD quality (24-bit/96kHz sampling).

Similarly, the video codec claims a 20 per cent efficiency gain over its sibling in Windows Media 8, aided by transferring common Windows Media Video operations to the graphics hardware from the CPU. The net result, Microsoft claims, will be HDTV (high definition TV) quality pictures on your PC.

The beta release will include new versions of Windows Media Player, Windows Media Audio and Video codecs, Windows Media Encoder and a new Windows Media Software Development Kit (SDK). There will be a Windows Media 9 Series Technical Summit, a two-day development and deployment conference at the launch venue (the Hollywood and Highlands Complex) in LA on 5-6 September.

Support for Windows Media 9 Series includes both nVidia and ATI along with Pioneer, who announced support for Windows Media 9 Series in its upcoming digital network entertainment products.

See the Windows Media Web site for more details.