NetShow was Microsoft's original framework for Internet network broadcasting, intended to compete with
RealNetworksRealMedia &
Vivo (acquired in 1998 by RealNetworks).[1] It was later renamed and marketed under the
Windows Media umbrella.
NetShow 1.0 came out in 1996.[2] A newer version, 2.0, was included in
Windows NT 4.0 SP3 in 1997.[3] Version 3.0 came out mid-1998.[2] The whole product line was renamed Windows Media in October, 1999, four months before
Windows 2000 appeared.[2]
The NetShow name is still carried on in the
user-agent string in current versions of
Windows Media Player, which reports as "NSPlayer".
NetShow Services (renamed
Windows Media Services) It was eventually incorporated into the media server functionality of Microsoft
Internet Information Services (IIS). Netshow server and encoder functionality was also integrated into PowerPoint as part of the Online Broadcast functionality in Microsoft Windows 95.
NetShow Server (also known as Theater Server): A high bitrate, full frame, on-demand streaming media solution for closed-circuit networks (such as airplanes or hotels).
Related technologies
Active Streaming Format (ASF) (later renamed Advanced Streaming Format, then to Advanced Systems Format)