Windows Media Now Supported By More Than 500 Devices

LAS VEGAS -- Jan. 8, 2004 -- Today at the 2004 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES), Microsoft Corp. announced that support for Windows Media® on consumer electronics devices has grown 150 percent since the 2003 CES, resulting in more than 500 devices that now support Windows Media. These new devices add to the broad choice of devices for consumers supporting Windows Media. Also, new portable music players from leading consumer electronics manufacturers increase the size of the world's largest installed base of secure portable digital music players, bringing the tally to more than 4 million devices supporting Windows Media Audio (WMA) and Windows Media Digital Rights Management. In addition, Apex Digital Inc., KiSS Technology and Malata North America today announced the first DVD players supporting Windows Media Video (WMV) 9, and leading chip manufacturers Sand Video Inc. and Sigma Designs Inc. announced new chips supporting playback of high-definition WMV 9. Together, these new devices and chips help ensure that consumers can enjoy a wide variety of content on their choice of devices throughout the home and on the go.

"The support we have seen for Windows Media Audio and Video 9 Series in the past year has been remarkable," said Dave Fester, general manager of the Windows Digital Media Division at Microsoft. "Our attractive licensing terms and the quality of the audio and video enable consumer electronics manufacturers to easily add Windows Media support and ultimately deliver to consumers the highest-quality audio and video on devices."

"Creative portable audio players support Windows Media because of its quality and file size advantages, enabling our customers to take more high-quality music with them on their favorite Creative devices," said Lisa O'Malley, senior brand manager for portable audio at Creative Labs Inc. "Windows Media powers many of the new music services, providing our customers with the freedom to choose from popular music download services and take their favorite songs on the go."

View: The press release