Windows Media Encoder 9 Series SDK

This documentation describes the Microsoft® Windows Media® Encoder 9 Series Software Development Kit (SDK). The Windows Media Encoder SDK is one of the main components of the Microsoft Windows Media 9 Series SDK. Other components include:

• Microsoft Windows Media Services 9 Series SDK
• Microsoft Windows Media Format 9 Series SDK
• Microsoft Windows Media Rights Manager 9 Series SDK
• Microsoft Windows Media Player 9 Series SDK
• Windows Media 9 Series Embedded Product Adaptation Kit (PAK)

The Windows Media Encoder 9 Series SDK is designed for anyone who wants to develop a Windows Media Encoder application by using a powerful Automation-based application programming interface (API). With this SDK, a developer using C++, Microsoft Visual Basic®, or a scripting language can capture multimedia content and encode it into a Windows Media-based file or stream. For instance, you can use this Automation API to:

• Broadcast live content. A news organization can use the Automation API to schedule the automatic capture and broadcast of live content. Local transportation departments can stream live pictures of road conditions at multiple trouble spots, alerting drivers to traffic congestion and advising them of alternate routes.
• Batch-process content. A media production organization that must process a high volume of large files can create a batch process that uses the Automation API to repeatedly capture and encode streams, one after the other. A corporation can use the Automation API to manage its streaming media services with a preferred scripting language and Windows Script Host. Windows Script Host is a language-independent host that can be used to run any script engine on the Microsoft Windows® 95 or later, Windows NT, or Windows 2000 operating systems.
• Create a custom user interface. An Internet service provider (ISP) can build an interface that uses the functionality of the Automation API to capture, encode, and broadcast media streams. Alternatively, you can use the predefined user interfaces within the Automation API for the same purpose.
• Remotely administer Windows Media Encoder applications. You can use the Automation API to run, troubleshoot and administer Windows Media Encoder applications from a remote computer.

This SDK documentation provides an overview of general encoding topics, a programming guide, and a full reference section documenting the exposed interfaces, objects, enumerated types, structures and constants. Developers are also encouraged to view the included samples.

This document includes the following sections.