14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft is doing much more than simply putting together a Deep Zoom tribute for the late King of Pop. In fact, the Redmond company will be bringing fans worldwide the memorial service for Michael Jackson from the Staples Center in Los Angeles. The ceremony will involve a tribute to the Thriller star involving Stevie Wonder, Mariah Carey, Usher, Lionel Richie, Kobe Bryant, Jennifer Hudson, John Mayer and Martin Luther King III. Microsoft is making it possible for fans everywhere to watch the ceremony designed to honor the King of Pop live and in High Definition through a combination of its technologies such as Silverlight and Internet Information Services Smooth Streaming via MSN.
“On July 7th, 10AM PT/1PM ET, Microsoft will be broadcasting the Michael Jackson memorial, live in HD from the Staples Center in Los Angeles using Silverlight and IIS Smooth Streaming (the technologies used for the 2008 Beijing Olympics, 2009 NCAA March Madness, Netflix, etc.). And this event will be available worldwide to anyone who has an Internet connection,” revealed David Chou, Microsoft architect.
Silverlight is Microsoft's alternative to Adobe Flash, a technology that allows end users to enjoy rich interactive Internet experiences. Users interested in watching Michael Jackson’s Memorial Service live and in HD will need to download and install the Silverlight plug-in for their browser. Silverlight works with Internet Explorer, Firefox and Safari, on Windows and Mac OS X. Linux users will have to grab Moonlight, essentially Silverlight adapted to the open-source operating system.
Microsoft built Smooth Streaming as an extension to IIS Media Services. The technology is capable of delivering adaptive streaming of media to Silverlight clients over HTTP connections, according to the Redmond company. It is Smooth Streaming in combination with Silverlight that will allow Michael Jackson fans worldwide to watch the memorial service in true HD (720p+).
“Visit the Sympatico / MSN inMusic website, for up-to-date content, and special tributes to the King of Pop. The Silverlight player providing the live streaming service will become available at the time of the event (2009.07.07 10AM Pacific Time / 1PM Eastern Time),” Chou added. “Also visit MSN for additional information and special coverage on Michael Jackson.”