QuickTime 5 Public Preview is out

You can download a free Public Preview version of QuickTime 5. Among its new features: a brand-new interface and “skip” protection for streaming video. Beta versions of QuickTime Streaming Server 3.0p and Darwin Streaming Server 3.0 were also released. An Apple press release adds: "At the second-annual QuickTime Live! conference today, Apple released public previews of QuickTime 5 and QuickTime Streaming Server 3. QuickTime 5’s many new innovations include an updated media player with a new QuickTime TV (QTV) network channel display and new audio controls; a new component downloader for adding plug-ins on the fly; and support for new web codecs including Macromedia Flash 4, Cubic VR and Shoutcast." A CNET article notes: "The version, available for download, includes some but not all of the features that will be included in a final version to be released early next year." A public preview of QuickTime 5 for Windows will be available by the end of the year. In related announcements, Apple said: "More than 100 million copies of its QuickTime 4 software have been distributed, and that RollingStone.com is launching a special concert series site where music performances from top musical acts will be streamed exclusively in the QuickTime format."