The technology of streaming media is getting a boost from a coalition just formed to develop open standards. Apple Computer, Cisco Systems, Kasenna, Philips Electronics, and Sun Microsystems announced the founding of Internet Streaming Media Alliance (ISMA) in an effort to create a single standard for media streaming a live event over the Internet. They said they are joining forces to promote open standards for developing end-to-end media streaming solutions over IP (Internet protocol) in order to accelerate adoption of open standards and interoperability, while encouraging the development of competitive streaming-media software. In addition to the founding companies, several companies are named in the release as supporters of ISMA, including Analog Devices (ADI), Axis Communications, and Silicon Graphics (SGI).
The first specification from the ISMA will define an implementation agreement for the streaming MPEG-4 video and audio format over IP networks and will be circulated for review and input at the first formal meeting of ISMA in February 2001. Upon completion of the specifications, the ISMA will promote them among developers and those seeking to deploy rich media streaming solutions. The ISMA Web site intends to publish completed specifications and distribute information about alliance activities.
Based on a report from officeinsight
