Glossary

To find a term in the glossary, click the letter of the alphabet that is the first letter in the term you want to look up.

You can also read glossary terms within the text of Help by clicking the underlined glossary term links. After you click a glossary link, the glossary term and definition appear in a pop-up window. To close the window, click anywhere on the screen.

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

I

J

K

L

M

N

O

P

Q

R

S

T

U

V

W

X

Y

Z

A

Active Template Library (ATL)

A collection of template classes for Microsoft Visual C++. It is used to create COM servers when writing a service provider for Windows Media Device Manager.

ATL

See definition for: Active Template Library (ATL)

authentication

The process of verifying the identity of a user, computer, process, or other entity by validating the credentials provided by the entity. Common forms of credentials are digital signatures, smart cards, biometric data, and a combination of user names and passwords.

authorization

To grant access to a resource on a computer system or network, usually during the authentication of an entity. An authenticated entity might be authorized for different types of access or activity.

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B

bit rate

The number of bits transferred per unit of time, typically expressed in bits per second.

buffer

An area of memory reserved for temporarily holding data before that data is used by a receiving device or application. Buffering protects against the interruption of data flow.

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C

challenge

A request for a license. A challenge contains information about the consumer's computer, a list of requested rights, and other information about the content, including the content header and key ID. This challenge can also contain a version 1 challenge in case a version 1 license is needed.

clear content

A Windows Media file that is not encrypted.

client

Any computer or program connecting to, or requesting the services of, another computer or program. Client can also refer to the software that enables the computer or program to establish the connection.

content

Audio, video, images, text, or any other information that is contained in a digital media file or stream.

See Also:

Windows Media file

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D

decrypt

To convert encrypted content back into its original form.

See Also:

encrypt

digital rights management (DRM)

Any technology used to protect the interests of owners of digital content and services (such as copyright owners). Typically, authorized recipients or users must acquire a license in order to use the content.

DRM

See definition for: digital rights management (DRM)

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E

encrypt

To programmatically disguise content to hide its substance.

See Also:

decrypt

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F

firewall

A security solution that segregates one portion of a network from another portion, allowing only authorized network traffic to pass through according to traffic filtering rules.

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K

key

A piece of data that is required to unlock a packaged Windows Media file. This key is included in a separate license.

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L

license

Data attached to protected content that describes how the content can be used.

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M

Microsoft Secure Content Provider (SCP)

A plug-in for Windows Media Device Manager that provides digital rights management (DRM) services.

Microsoft Windows Media Player

A client/control that receives a stream from a Windows Media server or local content for playback. It either can run as a stand-alone client executable program or be embedded in a Web page, C++ program, or a Microsoft Visual Basic program that uses the client ActiveX control.

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O

object

A collection of properties and methods that serve a particular purpose and are treated as a unit.

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P

player

A client program or control that receives digital media content streamed from a server or played from local files. Windows Media Player is an example of a player.

plug-in

An auxiliary software component that extends or enhances the features of other software.

portable device

A mobile electronic device that can exchange files or other data with a computer or device. Examples of portable devices include Pocket PCs, portable digital music players, and Smartphones.

portable media identifier

A unique identifier for removable storage media such as CompactFlash cards. The identifier is hard coded into the storage media and is not changeable.

protect

To encrypt files with a key and add information such as the license acquisition URL.

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S

SDMI

See definition for: Secure Digital Music Initiative (SDMI)

Secure Digital Music Initiative (SDMI)

An organization that sets standards for secure digital music. One of the main goals of SDMI is to create a framework for the secure playing, storing, and distribution of digital music.

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W

Windows Media Encoder

A technology that compresses live or prerecorded audio and video into a Windows Media stream, which can either be distributed immediately or saved as a Windows Media file for later distribution.

Windows Media file

A file that contains audio, video, or script data. The content of the file is encoded with one of the Windows Media codecs.

Windows Media Format

The format of a digital media file or stream that was encoded with Windows Media codecs.

Windows Media Services

A service that is used to stream digital audio and video over the Internet or an intranet.

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