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.wmv has always worked behind htaccess protected directories, i've been making and using them since 2001
WMP prompts the user for password then works as normal. It's always been like that.
It's not true streaming like from a WM server but "pseudo streaming" where WMP will start playing the .wmv from the beginning as it's downloading from any server.
A true streaming server will allow the user to fast forward and start watching the video at any point.
Some people are still living in the dark ages when it comes to wmv vs mpg. I'm not alone when I say wmv is better than mpg, many others like myself that work with video on a daily basis will tell you the same.
The main reason why wmv is superior is it's smaller file size. About 30% less. Smaller file size = faster delivery to the customer.
A 100 MB .mpg will take only 70 MB with a .wmv of equal quality. You'll save B/W too, but the most important reason will be way faster delivery.
Not everyone has super high speed, some still are on dialup and many are on those cheapo dsl, wireless, shared wifi, etc etc.
Very few members have issues with my .wmv, i'd say less than 1%, and it's most always someone with an older MAC! The newer MACS can run or may even come with WMP now. So virtually everyone out there can run WMP.
BUT
If you are making freesites or any type of promotional galleries for a particular site, I recommend using what format the sponsors site is using.
It would be dumb to advertise with mpg clips when the members area only offers .wmv or the opposite.
You can always have multiple formats, but that gets to be a pain in the ass expecially when you have offer different resolutions and lengths.
For example in BVCash like i said earlier uses only wmv since 2001.
But for one video i have it available 160, 320 , and 740 wide resolutions. Plus I have a full length copy of the video along with a copy with multiple parts. So in essence that's 6 copies of the same movie and still just offering wmv.
Imagine the time and space involved doing that for each format you wanted to offer! ie: mpg, real, QT etc etc....
blah..........
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