Microsofts Silverlight Supports Internet TV

Maven Networks and Microsoft have teamed up to help media companies deliver cross-platform broadband video experiences using Microsofts Silverlight.

Under the partnership, the Maven Internet TV Platform will be able to launch Silverlight-enabled Internet TV channels with rich interactive capabilities and high quality video, the companies said. Maven Networks is based in Cambridge, Mass.

Silverlight is Microsofts cross-browser, cross-platform technology for creating media experiences and RIA (rich interactive applications) for the Web.

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In an interview with eWEEK, Forest Key, director of product management, Microsoft Developer Division, said Silverlight integrates with existing Web technologies to provide higher quality experiences with lower costs for media delivery. And in a prior meeting, Key demonstrated how Silverlight offers consistent experiences to both Mac and Windows users on a variety of browsers, including Internet Explorer, FireFox and Safari.

Silverlight uses WMV (Windows Media Video), Microsofts implementation of the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers VC-1 video standard, ensuring compatibility with the millions of hours of content already available on the Web, Key said.

It also supports interactive video experiences from full-screen high-definition graphics to mobile scenarios, he added. Meanwhile, Maven officials said several media companies already use the Maven Internet TV Platform to create, manage, syndicate and monetize Internet TV channels. The Silverlight support adds to that by delivering a platform for developing and deploying multi-platform, multi-browser video.

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Key said Silverlight also enables rich graphics features such as high-resolution transparent overlays on video, state-of-the-art video rendering and streaming effects that can allow multiple videos to run simultaneously within a single player.

At the Microsoft announcement for Silverlight at the NAB (National Association of Broadcasters) conference in Las Vegas in April, several media companies and solution providers announced support for Silverlight, including Akamai, Brightcove, Eyeblaster, Limelight, Major League Baseball, Netflix, Skinkers, Sonic Solutions, SyncCast, Tarari and Telestream.

All said they planned to deploy Silverlight-based experiences for their viewers and customers. Maven Networks adds to that number.

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