Due to the success of last week?s MPEG-4 feature we thought we?d continue our series on The Future of Broadband with coverage of two interesting releases that are available.From the three available format today, Quicktime, Real and MediaPlayer, it is only the last two that are making any serious waves in the broadband world. Without looking to totally alienate us from the QT developers, there are some very interesting applications here with the recent release of Piranha?s new codec for Sorreson, but overall they don?t have the penetration of the both Real and Microsoft?s Media Player.So, first up is Windows Media Encoder 7, which Microsoft has built in co-operation with content developers in an effort to further streamline the production tool. The release intends to facilitate seamless conversion for both live and pre-recorded audio, video, and computer screen images for Windows Media Player delivery and includes: - Greater control over live event content production and delivery, enabling users to switch between input sources during live broadcasts - Superior de-interlacing and inverse-telecine features for the creation of higher output quality from broadcast and film-sourced content - Time compression during encoding: developed by Microsoft Research and the Digital Media Division (time compression and pause removal reduce playback time). - Remote Web administration: a fully functional and extensible remote administration sample lets larger sites manage multiple encoders on multiple machines remotely.From the RealNetworks camp comes the RealPlayer GoldPass which is a subscription-based offering that will give subscribers exclusive access to a combination of software, services and content that will be updated on a monthly basis. The GoldPass, currently priced at USD 9.95 a month, will initially give access to the GoldPass Screening Room and RealPlayer 8 Plus. It is however unclear what you actually get for your money as Real claim to offer ABCnews, exclusive interviews and concerts from the House of Blues and swimsuit videos. Interesting programming.The key thing here is not so much the software, but more the concept of implementing the subscription model. MP3.com have got one in place and I know a number of other rich media sites all lining theirs up, but has yet to be proved in the publishing market so lets what happens?www.microsoft.comwww.real.com