Apple First to Embrace Non-Proprietary Streaming Server Software
LAS VEGAS, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF BROADCASTERS, April 19 /PRNewswire/
-- Apple Computer, Inc. (Nasdaq: AAPL) today released the public beta
of QuickTime(R) 4, its industry-leading multimedia software, for both
the Macintosh(R) 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(R) 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
Networks 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, GIF 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(R) 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. Power PC processor required for streaming.
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. Pentium processor required
for streaming.
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.
Apple, the Apple logo, Mac OS, Macintosh and QuickTime are
registered trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc. Additional company and
product names may be trademarks or registered trademarks of the
individual companies and are respectfully acknowledged.
SOURCE Apple Computer, Inc.
-0- 04/19/99 /NOTE TO EDITORS: For
additional information, visit Apple's PR web site (www.apple.com/pr/),
call Apple's Media Helpline at (408) 974-2042, or Dushka Zapata at
(650) 968-4033, extension 2726./
/CONTACT: Russell Brady of Apple Computer, Inc., 408-974-6877,
brady2@apple.com; or Eileen Stanley of Edelman PR Worldwide,
650-968-4033, ext. 2764, eileen_stanley@edelman.com, for Apple
Computer, Inc./
/Company News On-Call: prnewswire.com or
fax, 800-758-5804, ext. 138650/
/Web site: apple.com /Web site:
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