Adobe to open up Flash streaming protocol

RTMP powers Adobe's Flash Media Server

Adobe is to open up the messaging protocol used in its Flash platform to deliver multimedia content over the internet, in a move designed to help developers build richer applications.

The company plans to publish specifications for its Real-Time Messaging Protocol (RTMP) on the Adobe Developer Connection site sometime in the first half of 2009.

The move forms part of Adobe's Open Screen Project, launched last year to strengthen the position of Flash as a web-based multimedia platform.

Developers and companies will have free and open access to the specifications to enable them to deliver video, audio and data in the various formats supported by Adobe's Flash Player, including AMF, SWF, FLV and F4V.

Adobe claimed that the move will enable developers to provide streamed content to users, no matter what kind of device they have.

"Our ongoing commitment to openness is accelerating adoption of the Flash Platform by developers, and resulting in a new generation of web applications, content and video experiences that run reliably across operating systems and devices," said Adobe chief technology officer Kevin Lynch.

However, Adobe confirmed that it will not disclose details on the secure version of the protocol, RTMPS, as this could compromise content currently protected using this method.