e.Digital Corporation (fka EDIG)

[sricket]

Windows Media 9 Enables "Second Session" Creation

By Staff

Mar 10, 2003, 16:38 PST

http://www.uemedia.com/CPC/article_5814.shtml


Redmond, WA -- Microsoft recently announced the availability of its Windows Media Data Session Toolkit, a content protection/copy management component of Windows Media 9 Series designed to enable entertainment media companies to securely create and deliver content for computers via a "second session" on various recorded media formats.

CDs and DVDs created using Windows Media Data Session Toolkit include a protected second session, which includes a version of the audio encoded using Windows Media Audio that can be played back when loaded or downloaded onto a PC. The second session includes packaged Windows Media Digital Rights Management (DRM) content, which allows content owners such as music labels and movie studios to set up specific business rules around usage to protect their intellectual property.

For example, content owners could set up rules to allow a consumer unlimited playback of content from a CD or DVD on their PC and give them the ability to transfer content to a portable device. Entire second session digital offerings also could be made available for direct downloading via the Web.

In addition, content providers can offer content or capabilities that are only available in second sessions. The second session could include artist interviews, bonus tracks, liner notes or enhanced playback capabilities such as support for 5.1-channel surround sound through a PC running the Windows XP operating system.

French replicator MPO has adopted the Windows Media Data Session Toolkit technology and is marketing the capability to its international customer base of record labels, which includes EMI Virgin, Warner, Universal and independent label Naive.

The new technology has also received endorsement from Universal Music Group and EMI Recorded Music.

Some of the first commercial album releases using an early version of the Windows Media Data Session Toolkit include the U.S. version of Sinead O'Connor's Sean-Nos Nua on Vanguard Records, Len Doolin's Once in a Lifetime on Sunbird Records and a forthcoming DVD-ROM from the U.S. band Fischerspooner on Capitol Records.

The Windows Media platform includes Windows Media Player; Windows Media Services, a streaming server for distributing content; Windows Media Encoder for content creation; Windows Media Audio and Video; Windows Media DRM for protecting content; and the Windows Media Software Development Kit for software developers.