New version of Microsoft PlayReady extends innovation across platforms

AMSTERDAM, THE NETHERLANDS: At the International Broadcasters Conference (IBC), Microsoft Corp. announced a host of new features to be included in the next version of its digital rights management system, PlayReady, when it is released later this year.

This new version of PlayReady will support industry standards including HTML5, Encrypted Media Extensions (EME) and the MPEG-DASH streaming format as well as provide software development kits (SDKs) for iOS and Android.

"Microsoft is committed to enabling premium content without plug-ins in the browser using HTML5 EME and MPEG-DASH. Beginning with Windows 8.1, we have taken the lead in driving its adoption" said Hayete Gallot, senior director for Microsoft's PlayReady business. "We are working with companies across the content delivery spectrum to ensure that consumers can access premium content inside or outside the home on whichever device or service they choose."

In addition, Microsoft will accelerate the adoption of PlayReady and HTML5 EME on devices such as mobile phones, set-top boxes and smart TVs by providing a reference implementation for integrating PlayReady into next-generation browsers on those devices. The reference implementation will shorten development times and reduce complexity for ecosystem partners while enabling service providers to offer premium video directly through a viewer's browser without plug-ins on connected devices.

With the commercial availability of PlayReady SDKs from Microsoft for iOS and Android, companies across the ecosystem will get an easy, trusted way to extend the reach of their video services to iOS and Android devices.

At IBC this week, other major providers have announced their own support and integration with PlayReady for MPEG-DASH and first-party SDKs, including industry-leading streaming media providers Envivio Inc. and Wowza Media Systems LLC. Berlin-based systems integrator Fraunhofer FOKUS has also announced availability of a reference implementation of a Content Decryption Module interface for PlayReady to deliver on the promise of HTML5.