Synchronized Multimedia Integration Language (SMIL) Boston Specification

W3C Working Draft 25 February 2000

This version:

http://www.w3.org/TR/2000/WD-smil-boston-20000225
(Other formats: single PostScript file, single PDF file, zip archive)

Latest version:

http://www.w3.org/TR/smil-boston

Previous version:

http://www.w3.org/TR/1999/WD-smil-boston-19991115

Editors:

Jeff Ayars (RealNetworks), Dick Bulterman (Oratrix), Aaron Cohen (Intel), Erik Hodge (RealNetworks), Philipp Hoschka (W3C), Eric Hyche (RealNetworks), Ken Day (Macromedia), Kenichi Kubota (Panasonic), Rob Lanphier (RealNetworks), Nabil Layaïda (INRIA), Philippe Le Hégaret (W3C), Thierry Michel (W3C), Jacco van Ossenbruggen (CWI), Lloyd Rutledge (CWI), Bridie Saccocio (RealNetworks), Patrick Schmitz (Microsoft), Warner ten Kate (Philips), Ted Wugofski (Gateway).

Copyright ©2000 W3C^® (MIT, INRIA, Keio), All Rights Reserved. W3C liability, trademark, document use and software licensing rules apply.

---

Abstract

This document specifies the "Boston" version of the Synchronized Multimedia Integration Language (SMIL, pronounced "smile"). SMIL Boston has the following two design goals:

• Define a simple XML-based language that allows authors to write interactive multimedia presentations. Using SMIL Boston, an author can describe the temporal behavior of a multimedia presentation, associate hyperlinks with media objects and describe the layout of the presentation on a screen.
• Allow reusing of SMIL syntax and semantics in other XML-based languages, in particular those who need to represent timing and synchronization. For example, SMIL Boston components should be used for integrating timing into XHTML [XHTML10].

Status of this document

This section describes the status of this document at the time of its publication. Other documents may supersede this document. The latest status of this document series is maintained at the W3C.

This document is the third Working Draft of the specification for the next version of SMIL code-named "Boston". It has been produced as part of the W3C Synchronized Multimedia Activity. The document has been written by the SYMM Working Group (members only). The goals of this group are discussed in the SYMM Working Group charter (members only).

Many parts of the document are still preliminary, and do not constitute full consensus within the Working Group. Also, some of the functionality planned for SMIL Boston is not contained in this draft. Many parts are not yet detailed enough for implementation, and other parts are only suitable for highly experimental implementation work.

At this point, the W3C SYMM WG seeks input by the public on the concepts and directions described in this specification. Please send your comments to www-smil@w3.org. Since it is difficult to anticipate the number of comments that come in, the WG cannot guarantee an individual response to all comments. However, we will study each comment carefully, and try to be as responsive as time permits.

This working draft may be updated, replaced or rendered obsolete by other W3C documents at any time. It is inappropriate to use W3C Working Drafts as reference material or to cite them as other than "work in progress". This document is work in progress and does not imply endorsement by the W3C membership.

A list of current W3C Recommendations and other technical documents can be found at http://www.w3.org/TR.