Windows Media Makes Its Way to Linux

Microsoft has chosen InterVideo to port its Windows Media technology to consumer electronic products based on the open source Linux operating system.

Under the agreement, InterVideo will take components of the Windows Media format, port them to Linux, and provide these embedded-Linux components to manufacturers interested in offering Windows Media technology on consumer devices, such as set-top boxes and video recorders, running the open source operating system, the company said Monday in a statement.

The licensing agreement enables the Fremont, California, supplier of digital audio and video software to offer one or all of the components of Windows Media technology to any interested consumer electronics manufacturer. The main components include Windows Media's audio and video codecs, file container, streaming protocols, and Digital Rights Management.

Product Plans

Currently, InterVideo offers embedded-Linux versions of its DVD and digital video recorder computer software for consumer electronics manufacturers, company said. Now it will be able to support Windows Media technology on these software products as well.

In addition, InterVideo offers components to support DVD, MP3, personal video recorder, and video editing implementations on the Linux operating system, it said.

InterVideo specializes in developing multimedia software products that allow users to capture, edit, author, distribute, burn, and play digital multimedia content on PCs and consumer electronics devices, according to the company's Web site.