Telestream Unveils Industry’s First Windows Media 9 Series Encoding Support
for Macintosh
Mac users can now export Windows Media files directly from any
QuickTime-based application
Amsterdam, Netherlands – IBC Show – September 10, 2004 – Telestream, the
world’s leading provider of universal media access solutions, today
announced the industry’s first support for exporting or importing files in
the Microsoft Windows Media format on Mac OS X platforms. Telestream’s new
support capabilities for Windows Media on the Mac enable users to create
files in standard and high definition using Windows Media in either stereo
or 5.1, directly on their Macs. The Telestream solution for Windows Media
supports any QuickTime-based application, including Final Cut Pro, iMovie,
and QuickTime Player.
With this offering, Telestream recognizes the unique strengths of two
industry leaders. Apple QuickTime-based applications have become an
industry standard for content creation and editing. Microsoft Windows Media
9 Series is becoming an industry-standard for efficient media transport.
Telestream’s new support capability for Windows Media on the Mac bridges
this important gap for professional users.
Until now it has been cumbersome for Mac users to create files in Windows
Media. The process has required exporting the file, moving it to a PC, and
then encoding it into Windows Media using another software application. By
exporting and encoding right on the Mac, users save time and the hassle of
working with multiple systems and software packages.
“Telestream’s innovative solution now enables the large base of Mac users
in the content creation world to create files using Windows Media directly
on their own platform,” said Steve Sklepowich, group manager in the Windows
Digital Media Division at Microsoft Corp. “Telestream has a history of
providing industry-leading solutions for media workflows that require
encoding, and its new solution will have broad market appeal.”
Telestream’s new support capabilities for Windows Media on the Mac
component enables users to conveniently select Windows Media 7, 8, or 9
Series from the list of available formats in the Export function of any
QuickTime-based application. Users can either set the desired format
parameters, or choose a Windows Media format profile which was previously
saved.
“We’re excited to bring to market a product which will be an important tool
for the universe of content creators using the Macintosh platform. This
new support offering for Windows Media on the Mac provides Telestream with
an entry point into this important community,” said Dan Castles, president
and CEO of Telestream. “In addition to its broad adoption on the Web, the
Windows Media 9 Series format is increasingly being requested as the
transport format of choice by broadcasters and other media companies. Our
support for Windows Media on the Mac is a key step in our quest to enable
universal media access for more users and platforms.”
Telestream’s new support capabilities also allow Mac users to import
Windows Media files for editing or simply playing in their QuickTime
Players. As the Windows Media 9 Series format continues to be utilized as
an efficient format for media transport over IP networks, the ability to
import and edit or play those files in QuickTime-based applications becomes
more appealing.
Telestream’s new support capabilities for Windows Media on the Mac include
Windows Media versions 7, 8 and 9 Series. A standard version supports
standard-definition resolutions, and a pro HD version adds support for high
definition, two-pass encoding and 5.1 channel audio. Both versions will be
available for commercial release in Q4-2004 via online fulfillment at:
(www.wm4mac.com)www.wm4mac.com. Pricing starts at under US$100.