Telestream — makers of Flip4Mac, the software that lets Mac users watch Windows Media content using QuickTime — on Tuesday announced the acquisition of Popwire from Teleca. Popwire makes media encoding software for Macs including Compression Master, Compression Engine and WMV-9 Component.
As part of the agreement, U.S.-based Telestream will own and operate Swedish-based Popwire as Telestream AB, a wholly owned subsidiary, that will continue to be located in Sweden. The terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.
Compression Master is desktop media compression software designed to enable Mac OS X users to produce content suitable for multiple formats, including DVD, Internet, broadcasting, mobile phones and other devices. It works with MPEG-2, MPEG-4, QuickTime, DV, H.264 and other codecs. Popwire’s WMV-9 Component works similarly to Telestream’s own Flip4Mac software — it enables Macs to view Windows Media-encoded content.
Flip4Mac was recently released as a Universal binary compatible with both Intel and PowerPC-based Macs. Popwire released a Universal version of WMV-9 Component earlier this year.
Telestream said in a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document prepared for the acquisition that “if there is overlap” between Flip4Mac and WMV-9 Component, they’ll “implement the best of both.” The company suggested that further announcements would be made at IBC 2006, the content management delivery show scheduled to take place in Amsterdam this September.