Smooth Streaming Available for True 1080p High-Definition Videos

With Smooth Streaming, Microsoft is attempting to keep up the pace with the evolution of the online video market. In this regard, the Redmond company made available a new feature for Internet Information Services (IIS) Media Services designed to make true 1080p high-definition capabilities a reality when it comes down to online video delivery. The technology is capable of tailoring HD content to the end users' bandwidth, also taking into consideration what the central processing unit can handle.

“As online video continues to rapidly evolve, Microsoft is proud to offer a premier end-to-end Smooth Streaming solution that content providers can leverage to deliver true HD-quality, highly scalable and secure online video to their customers,” explained Scott Guthrie, corporate vice president of the .NET Developer Platform at Microsoft.

The Redmond company has even put up a demo page for Smooth Streaming in order to provide a taste of what the feature is capable of. Users will need Silverlight in order to view the video. “Coupled with the power of Silverlight, IIS Live Smooth Streaming is further evidence of Microsoft’s commitment to ensure that our partners and customers have the tools and platforms they need to deliver high-quality online video experiences,” Guthrie added.

According to Microsoft, Smooth Streaming brings to the table minimal buffering, and as a direct consequence, extremely fast startup times. This is possible because of the way the technology tailors the quality of the content in real time to the network conditions and to the processor power. The software giant is promising that content providers will be able to offer uninterrupted delivery of true high-definition (HD) video (1080p) for long periods of time. NBCOlympics.com, RAI, TV 2 and CTV, have already embraced the Smooth Streaming in order to boost UX.

“NBCOlympics.com has once again chosen Silverlight to stream the Olympics in high definition. Thanks to Silverlight 3 the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver is going to be a live and on-demand Smooth Streaming event with full 720p,” stated Perkins Miller, senior vice president of Digital Media, NBC Sports & Olympics. “We’ll be able to deliver a continuous, high-quality online experience that mirrors the quality of the home viewing experience that our customers have come to expect.”