RealNetworks Inc. today released RealVideo 9 and RealAudio Surround, which the company called “a major breakthrough” in audio and video for consumers.
The company said the new streaming video technology provides broadband-like quality to dial-up users. The company also said that half-screen video could be viewed by dial-up users, while broadband consumers can expect VHS quality at 160Kbps rates.
Already, 22 content providers are featuring RealVideo 9 content, with another 16 content partners announcing plans to do so in the near future. Companies supporting the new standard include Atlantic Records, Capitol Records, EMI, Fox Home Video, New Line Cinema and others. ABCNews.com, Court TV, Warner Bros. and many others will be providing content in the near future, according to RealNetworks.
RealNetworks noted that RealVideo 9 content is compatible with RealOne Play and RealPlayer 8 for Windows and Mac OS (Real’s players for Mac OS only support pre OS-X versions). Support for Unix and PocketPC platforms is expected within the next month. The RealSystem Producer preview — the content creation end of the new technology — is available for Windows and Linux only.
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