Microsoft Silverlight is a powerful tool for creating and delivering rich Internet applications and media experiences on the Web. Silverlight 5 builds on the foundation of Silverlight 4 for building business applications and premium media experiences. Among other capabilities, the Silverlight 5 beta highlights dramatic video quality and performance improvements, and features that improve developer productivity.
Silverlight is essentially nothing more than Microsoft's vision of a cross-browser, cross-platform plug-in designed to be the source of rich online user experiences and to dislodge Flash from its current dominant position on the market. And when the Redmond company said cross-platform they indeed meant it.
RECOMMENDED: Use Silverlight in the 32-bit Internet Explorer process on x64 systems. Most browser plug-ins (including Silverlight, Flash, Java and almost all ActiveX controls) only work in 32-bit browsers currently.
Building next-generation business applications:
Fluid user interface enables smoother animation within the UI. Inter-Layout Transitions allow developers to specify animations to apply when elements are added, removed or re-ordered within a layout. This provides smoother user experiences when, for example, items are inserted into a list.
Text improvements make it possible to build rich magazine-style text layouts:
· Multicolumn text and linked text container allow text to flow around other elements.
· Tracking/leading set precisely how far apart each character is for full creative control.
· Text clarity is improved with Pixel Snapping.
· Text layout performance is significantly improved.
· OpenType support has been enhanced.
· Compelling Experiences
· Custom branded experiences using 2D vector graphics, animation, styling, and skinning
· HD video and adaptive streaming techniques for world-class media experiences
Unparalleled interactivity with high resolution content through Deep Zoom technology enabling smooth browsing independent of screen size:
· New Markets
· Multi-channel deployment of web applications to the desktop and devices through .NET
· Cost effective media delivery via Windows Server
· Monetization of media assets via protected content and advertising-enabled scenarios
Thriving ecosystem of .NET and Windows Media partners, developers, and applications:
· Team Productivity
· Rapid development through XML-based declarative markup and a full set of controls Role-specific productivity tools to enhance designer--developer collaboration, with Expression Studio, Visual Studio, and Visual Studio Team System
· Flexible programming model that supports JavaScript, C#, VB.NET, AJAX, IronPython, IronRuby, and support for LINQ while accessing data over the network
· Easy to add richness to AJAX applications and reduce cross-browser issues
Requirements:
· Windows Vista with Windows Internet Explorer 7, Firefox 1.5, Firefox 2
· Windows XP SP2 with Internet Explorer 6 or 7, Firefox 1.5, Firefox 2
· Windows Server 2003 (excluding IA-64) with Internet Explorer 6 or 7, Firefox 1.5, Firefox 2
· Windows 2000 with Internet Explorer 6 (Silverlight 2.0 Only)
· X86 or x64 500-megahertz (MHz) or higher processor with 128-megabytes (MB) of RAM
What's New in This Release:
Improved media support and rich UI capabilities:
· Hardware Decode and presentation of H.264 improve performance for lower-power devices to render high-definition video using GPU support.
· TrickPlay allows video to be played at different speeds and supports fast-forward and rewind. At up to twice the speed, audio pitch correction allows users to watch videos while preserving a normal audio pitch.
· Improved power awareness prevents the screen saver from being shown while watching video and allows the computer to sleep when video is not active.
· Remote-control support allows users to control media playback.
· Digital rights management advancements allow seamless switching between DRM media sources.
Text improvements make it possible to build rich magazine-style text layouts:
· Multicolumn text and linked text container allow text to flow around other elements.
· Tracking/leading set precisely how far apart each character is for full creative control.
· Text clarity is improved with Pixel...