Microsoft invests in Real Audio

Microsoft Corporation announced today that it will make a minority investment in Progressive Networks Inc. and license Progressive's RealAudioand RealVideo 4.0 technologies for integration into its NetShow streaming server.

Currently, Microsoft's NetShow supports different formats for streamingvideo and audio than Progressive's products. Microsoft endorses the Active Streaming Format, said Paul Maritz, platforms and applications group vice president at Microsoft.

"We're taking the technology to provide compatibility so users can see thesame content on either system," Maritz said.

Microsoft will include the RealPlayer 4.0 and NetShow software with Internet Explorer 4.0 and distribute Progressive's EasyStart RealAudio and RealVideo Server with NetShow 2.0. Progressive has agreed to incorporateMicrosoft's DirectDraw and DirectShow technology into the next version ofits Windows-based clients