Audio, Video, Games, and Graphics (Visual C#)
You can use Visual C# to create games and multimedia applications that are based on DirectX and Windows Media Technologies.
XNA
Microsoft XNA is composed of industry-leading software, services, resources, and communities focused on enabling game developers to be successful on Microsoft gaming platforms. For more information, see XNA Developer Center.
Windows Presentation Foundation
Microsoft Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF) provides the foundation for building applications and high fidelity experiences in Windows Vista. WPF blends application UI, documents, and media content, while exploiting the full power of your computer. Functionality extends to the following areas:
Support for Tablet and other forms of input.
A more modern imaging and printing pipeline.
Accessibility and UI Automation infrastructure.
Data-driven UI and visualization.
Integration points for weaving the application experience into the Windows shell.
For more information, see Windows Presentation Foundation.
Windows Media Player
The Windows Media Player ActiveX control can be used in C# applications to add audio and video playback capability. The Microsoft Windows Media Player 11 Software Development Kit (SDK) provides information and tools to customize Windows Media Player and to use the Windows Media Player ActiveX control. The SDK includes documentation and code examples that show how to use the Media Player ActiveX control from a C# application.
For more information, see Windows Media Player 11 SDK in the MSDN library.
Windows Media Encoder
The Windows Media Encoder 9 Series SDK can be programmed by using C# to perform the following types of tasks:
Broadcast live content. A news organization can use the Automation API to schedule the automatic capture and broadcast of live content. For example, local transportation departments can stream live pictures of road conditions at multiple trouble spots to warn drivers about traffic congestion and advise them of alternate routes.
Batch-process content. A media production organization that must process many, large files can create a batch process that uses the Automation API to repeatedly capture and encode streams, one after the other. A corporation can use the Automation API to manage its streaming media services by using a preferred scripting language and Windows Script Host.
Create a custom user interface. An Internet service provider (ISP) can build an interface that uses the functionality of the Automation API to capture, encode, and broadcast media streams. Alternatively, you can use the predefined user interfaces in the Automation API for the same purpose.
Remotely administer Windows Media Encoder applications. You can use the Automation API to run, troubleshoot, and administer Windows Media Encoder applications from a remote computer.
For more information, see Windows Media Encoder 9 Series SDK in the MSDN library. The Programming C# topic describes which references to include when you work in C#.