RealNetworks on Wednesday made available the source code for sending video and audio over the Internet to other software and hardware makers. The release of the code, called the Helix DNA Server, is part of RealNetworks' push to create a universal platform for sending and receiving digital media in order to fend off cross-town rival Microsoft.
Late in 2002, Seattle-based RealNetworks had already announced two other components of its Helix platform: the software player used to receive digital streams; and encoding software used to convert raw content into digital format. With all three components, developers such as mobile phone manufacturers can create systems that can send and receive digital content in any format, said Dan Sheeran, vice president of media systems at RealNetworks.
More than 10,000 developers have already joined RealNetworks' Helix development community, Sheeran said. "The rate (of developer growth) has been accelerating," Sheeran said. "It's been a pretty continual flow which is very exciting for us."
RealNetworks--the streaming media industry leader whose lead versus hard-charging Microsoft is narrowing--is betting the drive to make its source code available will help ensure its standard will be used across a wide range of devices and platforms.
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News source: c|net
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