14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft is changing the way it allows partners to leverage the professional version of Expression Encoder. Already available for development purposes, Expression Encoder 4 Pro will also be offered to video designers, editors and producers, for redistribution.
The software giant will make available a new license which will essentially enable third-party companies to kick up a notch their offerings not only by leveraging Expression Encoder 4 Pro, but also by distributing the encoding technology along with their products.
“What this means is, due to popular demand, partners will now be able to directly license Expression Encoder from Microsoft and distribute it as an add-on or integrated solution,” explained Eric Ligman, Global Partner Experience Lead Microsoft Worldwide Partner Group.
“Prior to this announcement, Expression Encoder has been available through retail and volume licensing, but it has not been available for redistribution. Direct licensing is expected to be available later this year.”
Microsoft has yet to announce all the specific details of the new licensing agreements which will be offered to partners, or to unveil the exact release deadline.
The Redmond company launched the free and pro flavors of Expression Encoder 4 RTM in June 2010, along with the rest of the Microsoft Expression Studio 4.
While the free version of Expression Encoder 4 is designed merely as a replacement for Windows Media Encoder, the Pro variant delivers additional functionality.
“With Expression Encoder Pro, you can: encode high quality videos for delivery to devices and the web; create Silverlight video experiences with customizable templates; capture your PC’s screen actions for training and demos; capture, encode and broadcast live events with IIS Smooth Streaming,” Ligman said.
According to Microsoft, Expression Encoder 4 supports both encoding and decoding from a range of video formats including: MPEG-2, AVCHD, Dolby Digital, H.264, AAC-LC, and Live Smooth Streaming.
The free version of Expression Encoder 4 RTM is available for download here.
Microsoft Expression Studio Web Professional 4.0.20525.0 is available for download here.
Microsoft Expression Studio Ultimate 4.0.20525.0 is available for download here.