From
USAToday :
04/08/2002 - Updated 10:03 AM ET
Microsoft believes the new technology will eventually allow companies to distribute movies to theaters more cheaply, using a PC-based system rather than the current, costly movie reels. A similar system could later be used for cheaper TV transmissions, he said.
Microsoft still has many major hurdles in its effort to court this new market, said Phil Leigh, a digital media analyst with Raymond James & Associates — including delivering on the promises it has made about Corona.
"It's the old story of vaporware," Leigh said of Corona, which Microsoft has demonstrated at a couple events but has yet to let industry experts try out. "You can tell us what all these things are going to do, but do they work?"
If Microsoft can deliver on Corona, Leigh said the software giant may find itself with an attractive consumer product offering that can compete fiercely with rival RealNetworks' RealOne player.
Like Microsoft, rival RealNetworks also has been touting its digital rights management system for music and video, but the company has been less vocal about its plans for film distribution.
