Live DRM

[The feature associated with this page, Windows Media Format 11 SDK, is a legacy feature. It has been superseded by Source Reader and Sink Writer. Source Reader and Sink Writer have been optimized for Windows 10 and Windows 11. Microsoft strongly recommends that new code use Source Reader and Sink Writer instead of Windows Media Format 11 SDK, when possible. Microsoft suggests that existing code that uses the legacy APIs be rewritten to use the new APIs if possible.]

Starting with Windows Media 9 Series, the Windows Media Format SDK can be used to write DRM-protected files. This enables scenarios such as Live DRM, in which DRM protection is applied to a file or stream as it is being encoded, rather than as a post-processing step after encoding has been completed. Live DRM enables content owners to protect live broadcasts, such as pay-per-view concerts or sporting events. Live DRM also represents a simplified or streamlined way to create protected files. You can use Live DRM to apply any version of DRM protection. A protected file created using Live DRM is exactly the same as a file protected as a post-processing step.

Note DRM is not supported by the x64-based version of this SDK.

Digital Rights Management Features

Protecting Files with DRM Version 7 or Later