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Using ASX Metafiles
Advanced Stream Redirector files, also called ASX metafiles, are text files that contain information about the Uniform Resource Locator (URL) for a piece of media content. This information is processed by the Microsoft® Windows Media™ Player, which then opens the media specified in the ASX file.
Most browsers do not recognize the protocols that are used for streaming media, such as Microsoft Media Server protocol (MMS) or Microsoft® NetShow™ Theater Server protocol. Therefore, you cannot link directly from a Web page to a media-streaming server. The solution is to create ASX files containing the information needed by the Windows Media Player and store these files on a Web server. Then, link from the Web document to the ASX files. When an ASX file is opened, control transfers to the Windows Media Player, which processes the file, connects to the streaming media server, and plays the specified media.
The more sophisticated features of ASX files enable you to deliver branding information, advertisements, playlists, and other information to users receiving your content. Using ASX metafiles, you can insert advertisements into the display area of the Windows Media Player, as well as graphics that direct the user to your Web site. You can even use Active Server Pages (ASP) to generate ASX files that link to your content. ASX metafiles enable the content creator greater control over how content is delivered to the user.
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