RealPlayer vs. Windows Media: A Streaming Shootout

By Sushuma on 2000-01-29 09:39:07

(IDG)--Your favorite actor is doing an exclusive interview on the Web, but what will give you the best live shot -- RealPlayer or Windows Media Player? RealNetworks and Microsoft are battling it out on the Net, trying to enlist you for their media players.?Both are free.?[Well, Real has a free version but it's difficult to find on their website.] RealNetworks claims 95 million users, while Microsoft cites 50 million downloads.?More audio and video content is available in the Real format, but Windows Media is catching up fast.?What does each offer -- and should you try to pick one, or do you need them both? Last weekend, Microsoft announced that both Liquid Audio and Digital Distribution Domain would support Windows Media in their streaming music and video distribution systems.?The company also paired up with Intertainer to offer on-demand material.?Intertainer provides news, films, music, television programs, and shopping to PCs and TVs over cable or Digital Subscriber Lines.More importantly, Microsoft now bundles Media Player with most editions of Windows.?Versions for Windows CE Palm-size PCs and Pocket PCs are in development, says Kevin Unangst, group product manager for Microsoft's digital media division.?"We also worked with Phillips and General Instruments on integrating Windows Media Player in set-top box." Like Microsoft, RealNetworks is moving its player off PCs.?Earlier this month at the Consumer Electronics Show, chairman Rob Glaser demonstrated a touch-screen device running RealPlayer, as well as a set-top box running a streaming music video via RealPlayer.?"We're working on handhelds," says Jay Wampole, RealNetworks director of communications.?"We're all about moving beyond PC." RealPlayer is already on Microsoft's Web TV and Liberate Technologies' set-top box, he notes.?Read more ...

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