AfterDawn: Tech news

Microsoft launches Silverlight 5 beta

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 13 Apr 2011 9:06 User comments (5)

Microsoft launches Silverlight 5 beta Two days into the MIX11 event Microsoft has launched its first public beta of Silverlight 5.
The platform promises "dramatic video quality and performance improvements, and features that improve developer productivity.'

In total, there are about 40 added features/improvements.

TCM has all the updates:


- a XNA-based interface enabling 'stunning' 3D visualizations in apps

- support for running Silverlight applications with desktop features in the browser

- support for 64bit operating systems

- Hardware Decode and presentation of H.264 improve performance for lower-power devices to render high-definition video using GPU support.



- the TrickPlay function allows video to be played at different speeds and supports fast-forward and rewind.

- Improved power awareness that prevents the screen saver from being shown while watching video and allows the computer to sleep when video is not active.

- Remote control support

- Reduced network latency by using a background thread for networking

- Digital rights management advancements allow seamless switching between DRM media sources


You can get Silverlight 5 beta here: Silverlight.net

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5 user comments

113.4.2011 21:53

And no one cares. :)

213.4.2011 22:50

I don't know this, so please don't flame me, but what is Silverlight used with?

314.4.2011 00:12

Netflix online streaming uses it, for one.

414.4.2011 01:18

And how much do you think microsoft paid them? :p

515.4.2011 15:44

This is great news for people that are trying to run silverlight with their nvidia 3d vision on a 64bit system and 64bit browser! Now hopefully I will finally be able to watch Nvidia's 3DTV channels with out issues!

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