NetShow brings the power of broadcasting to the desktop. The Web comes alive with interactive content including audio, illustrated audio (images and sound) and video. It includes both client and server components to add the power of traditional broadcasting systems (audio and video) to HTTP. NetShow harnesses Internet technologies and the power of Windows NT Server to transform Web communications into a richer and more effective medium: the network show.

Key Features of NetShow

• Client component designed for Internet Explorer 4.0. The NetShow client is an ActiveX control that receives multimedia content and allows the user to play it without a long download time.
  
  
• Streamed, synchronized illustrated audio. NetShow streams content to users on-demand without a long download time. Unlike most audio or video streaming products, NetShow also enables content providers to generate sophisticated productions, in which graphics, slides, photographs and URLs can be synchronized with the audio stream.
  
  
• Live multicast audio. By allowing many users to ‘tune into’ a single multicast transmission, network managers can dramatically reduce the load that would otherwise be placed on their networks when large numbers of users listen to live events.
  
  
• Live multicast files. Multicast file transfer provides another way for network managers to save bandwidth when large quantities of data have to be simultaneously distributed to many users. Multicast file transfer can be used to dynamically change files on Web sites to broadcast a variety of Web content.
  
  
• Integrated tools. NetShow comes with simple, starter tools to enable content developers to prepare many popular content formats for streaming as "illustrated audio" (images synchronized with an audio track). Files in WAV, AVI, QuickTime, PowerPoint, JPEG, GIF, PNG and URL formats can all be used to generate illustrated audio.
  
  
• Standards-based. NetShow is based on Internet standards including IP multicast and RTP. As a result, NetShow users can distribute multicast audio to MBONE-compatible applications and can listen to MBONE multicasts (VAT compatible on client and server).

What are the Benefits of Broadcasting?

Microsoft NetShow uses key technologies to enhance users’ multimedia browsing experience, while reducing traffic on the network:

• Reduced network traffic. NetShow uses IP multicast, an open, standards-based way to distribute identical information to many users simultaneously. This contrasts with regular TCP/IP (IP unicast) where the same information can be sent to many clients, but the sender must transmit an individual copy to each user. To take full advantage of multicasting, the routers and other infrastructure components that make up intranets and the Internet must be multicast enabled. Microsoft, along with its NetShow partners, make it possible to deploy this technology in a safe and controlled manner.
  
  
• Receive multimedia content faster. Normally when accessing networked multimedia content, a user has to wait for the entire file to be transferred before they can use the information. Streaming allows a user to see or hear the information as it arrives. NetShow is an open platform capable of high performance streaming under demanding network conditions.
  
  
• Integration with Internet Explorer. NetShow will change the way people share multimedia information through its ability to efficiently broadcast multimedia presentations. Typical scenarios include:
  • Entertainment and information. NetShow makes Web sites come alive with interactive, multimedia content. Musical events and Web broadcasting are examples of how NetShow can be used.
    
    
  • Training. Many organizations devote considerable resources to this critical area. By using NetShow to leverage the intranet and extend the reach of professional instructors, a business can maximize its investment in training. NetShow makes it easy for trainers to generate content and for users to receive the training whenever and wherever they need it.
    
    
  • Advertising and retailing. Advertisers can use NetShow to present information in a much more compelling such as attaching audio commentary to a Web site and guiding users through a demonstration of a product, process, or site.
    
    
  • Corporate communications. Everyone in an organization can listen in live to important organizational briefings. Everyone on the network can follow the presentations as they are made regardless of their geographic location. If they miss the meeting, they can see and hear a stored version later, on-demand.

How does NetShow Work?

Streaming lets users see or hear the information as it arrives, without having to wait. Unlike other streaming products, NetShow lets content providers generate compelling productions in which audio, graphics, video, URLs, and script commands can be synchronized based on a timeline.

Additional NetShow innovations include:

• IIS 3.0 integration. NetShow is administered through standard Windows NT Server and IIS administration utilities. IIS 3.0 makes it easier to build server-based Web applications and to create rich and dynamic content
  
  
• Internet Explorer 4.0 integration. On the client side, Microsoft NetShow is integrated with Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0. Applications can be easily enhanced with audio and video content with the same development tools used to create HTML applications. A familiar HTML-based client allows users to learn operations quickly. Easily add multicast audio to any Web page using any Web authoring tool.
  
  
• Codec and network independency. Content providers can choose the best compression scheme (codec) for a particular type of application and content. NetShow includes a variety of Windows ACM and VCM codecs. Users have their choice of compression schemes. In addition, NetShow runs on a variety of networks.
  
  
• Ease of use. Simple server installation from the Internet and easy-to-use administration ensure fast, easy operation. The services are easy to configure, monitor, and manage using standard Windows NT server facilities. The NetShow server is tightly integrated with Microsoft’s HTTP server technology included with Windows NT IIS 3.0.
  
  
• Easy to get started. Client software automatically downloads from the Web page without user interaction for a seamless installation. Sample Web pages that make it easy to get started are included with the client. Audio-only multicast server enables multicast evaluation without network management risks. In addition, live audio is delivered to all clients using the same bandwidth normally used to send to one client.
  
  
• Standards-based. Open client/server architecture includes RTP, HTML, ActiveX controls, IP multicast, ACM/VCM compatible codecs, and UDP.
  
  
• Industry support. NetShow includes server components for Windows NT Server, client software for Windows 95 and Windows NT, and simple authoring tools and administration utilities. Its programming interfaces and ActiveX controls provide a platform for third-party development of applications, tools, and content. Leading network hardware and software companies now offer system components, tools, and services building on the NetShow platform. More information on these companies and their press contacts can be found at http://www.microsoft.com/netshow/.
  
  
• Free for unlimited users. NetShow does not limit the number of users on the server at any given time through licensing.
  
  
• Media support variety. NetShow makes it easy to leverage files in popular formats such as JPEG, GIF, AVI, QuickTime, and WAV. In addition, it includes tools to create illustrated audio (audio and images synchronized to a common timeline).
  
  
• Scalability. NetShow is able to efficiently respond to stream requests and maintain high performance even in heavy load scenarios. IP multicast allows data transmission to very large numbers of users, scaling as transmission needs grow.
  
  
• Multiple bit rate support. Content can be authored for any targeted bit rate such as 14.4, 28.8 and above.
  
  
• Error mitigation and correction. NetShow uses error mitigation and correction to ensure high-quality audio, illustrated audio, and video delivery.