Apple Releases QuickTime 4 Public Beta With Internet Streaming
Apple First To Embrace Non-Proprietary Streaming Server Software
NAB, LAS VEGAS-April 19, 1999-Apple Computer, Inc. today released the public beta of QuickTime 4, its industry-leading multimedia software, for both the Macintosh and Windows platforms. QuickTime 4 features "streaming" of live and stored video and audio over the Internet, and is the first Internet streaming solution to use non-proprietary industry-standard RTP and RTSP protocols for streaming over the Internet. In addition, Apple announced that it has begun licensing its open Internet Streaming Server software under an Open Source model (see separate release). The public beta software also includes an all new QuickTime Player that offers easy access to QuickTime content, and significant enhancements to the QuickTime PictureViewer application and QuickTime Web Browser Plug-in.
"We are embracing the non-proprietary open server model for Internet streaming, and even giving away great server software under our Open Source licensing model," said Steve Jobs, Apple's interim CEO. "From this day forward, content providers, ISPs and network managers will have a choice-they will not be forced to pay a server tax to Real Network's for their proprietary server software."
QuickTime 4's new Internet streaming capabilities allow users to play live and stored video and audio using a variety of compressors and decompressors, enabling them to experience high-quality playback even over 28.8Kbps modems. Key features in QuickTime 4 include:
* QuickTime Player, providing intuitive user controls, a stunning new look and feel, and one-click access to Internet content. QuickTime Player also features audio controls for balance, volume, bass, and treble; * QuickTime PictureViewer, delivering still image support for a wide range of formats including BMP, GIF, JPEG, PICT, PNG, SGI TIFF, Adobe Photoshop, and FlashPix; * QuickTime Web Browser Plug-in, enabling Microsoft Internet Explorer, Netscape Navigator and America Online web browsers to display QuickTime-based media directly inside web pages; * Compression technologies, allowing content providers to optimize the playback of their content for dial-up Internet access, CD-ROM and DVD-ROM. These include MPEG-1 layer 3 (MP3), Sorenson Video, QDesign Music, Qualcomm PureVoice, H.261, GSM and DVI; * Network protocol support for Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) streaming standards, RTP, RTSP, SDP, FTP and HTTP; * Support for video and animation formats, such as AVI, DV, Macromedia Flash, OpenDML, GIG and FLC; * QuickTime for Java allowing Java applets to interface with QuickTime's entire API; * New small, intelligent installer to speed the download process, especially for QuickTime 4 users with low bandwidth Internet connections. By enabling users to download only the parts of QuickTime they immediately need and offering automatic updates, customers get the fastest possible access to QuickTime content.
QuickTime 4 Pro includes all the features of QuickTime 4 while unlocking the software's advanced authoring and playback capabilities, including:
* Multi-format editing, allowing users to integrate video and audio from anywhere, in any QuickTime supported format, including streaming; * Advanced export capabilities, enabling users to manipulate still images and convert them to standard publishing formats, such as Adobe Photoshop, TIFF, BMP, PICT, PNG and JPEG; * Ability to create slide shows that integrate pictures and sound; New Lens Flare and Zoom filters to further enhance movies and images; * Easy preparation of QuickTime movies for streaming distribution.
Availability, Pricing and System Requirements
Macintosh and Windows users can immediately download a free version of QuickTime 4 public beta software from Apple's QuickTime web site (www.apple.com/quicktime). The advanced playback and editing capabilities of QuickTime 4 Pro are available to users for U.S. $29.99. QuickTime 3 Pro customers are automatically upgraded to QuickTime 4 Pro free of charge upon downloading the QuickTime 4 public beta software.
System requirements for Mac OS-based systems are: 68020, 68030, 68040 or PowerPC processor; at least 8MB of RAM recommended for 68020, 68030 or 68040 processor-based systems and at least 16MB of RAM recommended for PowerPC processor-based systems; and MAC OS 7.1 or later.
System requirements for Windows-based systems are: Intel or compatible processor or any MPC2-compliant PC with minimum 66-MHz 486 processor; at least 16MB of RAM; Windows 95, Windows 98, or Windows NT 4.0 system software; Sound Blaster or compatible sound card and speakers; and DirectX version 3.0 or later recommended.
Apple Computer, Inc. ignited the personal computer revolution in the 1970s with the Apple II, and reinvented the personal computer in the 1980s with the Macintosh. Apple is now recommitted to its original mission-to bring the best personal computing products and support to students, educators, designers, scientists, engineers, businesspersons and consumers in over 140 countries around the world.
Bob Nunn - President, Operator Headgap Systems President, AppleCore of Memphis, Inc. E-mail: headgap@headgap.com
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