Computer Platforms, Web Browsers, and Media Plug-ins

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[edit] Overview

Streaming media can be delivered in a variety of file formats. Some formats are suitable for streaming as a live broadcast and/or on-demand video; others are mostly used for on-demand video using the progressive download technique. The most commonly used formats are:

Windows Media: content is delivered by streaming media as a live broadcast or on-demand archive
RealMedia: content is delivered by streaming media as a live broadcast or on-demand archive
QuickTime: content is generally delivered as an on-demand media file using progressive download
MPEG-4: The MPEG-4 format is a cross client format, and ISO compliant files can be delivered to almost any media player
Adobe Flash Video: content is generally delivered as an on-demand media file using streaming or progressive download

Client software is usually offered as a web browser plug-in or stand-alone application. The most basic version of the client software is available free. Versions with more advanced features or subscription services are available for a small fee. Commonly used streaming media players include:

RealPlayer. The free player is still available but can be difficult to find on Real’s website.
Windows Media Player. The Windows Media player is shipped with computers running the Windows operating system.
QuickTime Player. Basic version is available free for Macintosh and Windows operating systems.
Flash Player/Adobe Media Player

The formats that each player will support on installation are listed below. Most players will support other formats if appropriate plug-ins are available and installed.

RealPlayer-- RealMedia, WindowsMedia, QuickTime, MPEG-4, H.264
WindowsMedia Player-- WindowsMedia, MPEG-4, H.264 (not ISO standard)
QuickTime-- QuickTime .MOV, MPEG-4, H.264
FlashPlayer/Adobe Media Player-- Flash video, SWF

[edit] Guidelines

For a more in-depth review of the prominent media architectures, see the Main Page for this MODwiki and access the links in the Table of Contents, or refer to the RESOURCES section of this web page.

For a discussion on how the media architectures detect the presence of a player or plug-in, as well as your bandwidth connection speed to the Internet, refer to another page of this MODwiki entitled Test Your Web Browser for Playback Compatibilities.