Collection of APIs that allow to use multimedia contents.
Microsoft offers for their Windows platform the so called DirectX: a group of technologies (
APIs) that easy the tasks related with video game programing and the handling multimedia applications, that can be used by any application.
Thus, thanks to
DirectX 9 it is possible to "connect" all your computers elements that make it possible to visualize the effects and graphics, listen to the music and voices of you favorite
video games.
The
DirectX components are:
-
DirectSetup, that installs the DirectX components.
-
DirectInput, that controls the input from mouse, keyboard, joystick and other game controllers.
-
DirectGraphics, that includes various APIs to control both 2D and 3D graphics, these include,
DirectDraw,
Direct3D,
DXGI,
Direct2D,
DirectWrite.
-
DirectPlay, that offers net communication, for both local and wide networks.
-
DirectSound, to playback and record waveforms.
-
DirectMusic, that allows the playback of music composed using DirectMusic Producer.
-
DirectMedia, that includes various APIs,
DirectAnimation,
DirectShow,
DirectX Transform and
Direct3D Retained Mode.
With
DirectX 9 you will have all the necessary libraries to be able to play your favorite games on your
Windows operating system, as long as it is earlier version than
Windows Vista. If you have
Windows Vista you will have to
download DirectX 10.
Requirements: It is compatible with Windows XP, Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2008 and Windows 7. The installer will connect to Internet to
download and install all its components, thus requiring an Internet connection.