Macromedia Inc and Progressive Networks Inc jumped into the ring last week to duke it out over who has the better audio streaming technology. In the one corner is San Francisco, California-based Macromedia, a $117m firm which claims nine million users have downloaded its free Shockwave multimedia player. In the oppposite corner is Seattle, Washington-based Progressive Networks, a private firm which says seven million users have downloaded its RealAudio player. Macromedia went on the attack this week by publishing a 1,500 word manifesto on its home page declaring Shockwave’s superiority over RealAudio. Progressive Networks shot back with a 1,000 response and a picture of Pinocchio demanding, Hey, Macromedia: stop stretching the truth. The issues: price, quality and technology. Shockwave SoundEdit 16 plus DECK II costs about $390, compared with a $500 RealAudio Server, but Progressive Networks claims a more just comparison would pit RealAudio Server against the $1,000 Macromedia Director Multimedia Studio. Analysts have said both products scale well, but Shockwave sound quality is said to decline as the number of users on the server increases. Also, RealAudio allows users to fast forward and rewind sound, unlike Shockwave. Macromedia claims Progressive Networks use of User Datagram Protocol (UDP), rather than HTTP to stream audio over the Internet requires special firewall configuration and maintenance. Progressive Networks counters that its technology allows developers to limit users’ ability to copy digital files to their hard drives and protects intellectual property rights. Despite last week’s fuss, Progressive Networks says it wants to continue to work as partners with Macromedia; the privately held firm still demonstrates RealAudio with a Shockwave-created front end. What does the future hold? Progressive Networks plans to publish its audio streaming protocols before the end of the year, leading to the likelihood that the two firms’ next skirmish will be over who gets to be the standards-body-blessed – and not just de facto – standard.
