Hoping to bring together consumer electronics and personal computers for more accessible audio and video content exchange, Microsoft and Philips have signed a set of "long-term, nonexclusive" digital rights management agreements to bring Windows Media products to Philips devices, the companies announced May 12.
The companies’ aim is to optimize digital entertainment transfers between Windows computers and consumer products featuring Nexperia semiconductors designed by Philips.
"Philips' support of Windows Media and Windows Media DRM on its Nexperia chipsets and in a range of consumer products demonstrates a strong commitment to delivering anytime, anywhere access to the best digital entertainment experiences for consumers," Microsoft Vice President for Windows Digital Media Amir Majidimehr said in announcing the DRM agreements.
"The breadth of available content in [the] Windows Media format continues to grow exponentially," he continued, "and Philips has extended the reach of that content significantly by adding support across such a wide range of technology and consumer electronics products."
The agreements call for Philips to add Windows Media to currently supported formats in its Mobile Infotainment and Streamium products during May, Microsoft said. The move will give Philips customers worldwide fast, easy access at home or on the road to a broad range of audio and video content.
Philips said it will also obtain PlaysForSure verification for those products, "ensuring that customers can access a broad choice of downloadable or subscription content" on their computers or mobile devices.
"The Internet is becoming increasingly vital as a means of multimedia content distribution," said Frans van Houten, chief executive of Philips' semiconductors division, in his own statement.
"By supporting Windows Media technology in our designs, we're opening up additional opportunities for our customers to offer a seamless user experience from the Internet and the PC to consumer electronics devices at home and on the move," he continued. "As the flow of content between PCs and digital media players increases, adding this technology to the Nexperia platforms offers a simple solution to ensure that, regardless of the device on which a video is being viewed or a song being played, it looks and sounds great every time."
