Frequently
Asked Questions
Microsoft DirectX
Revision - 5.5
Q: What is DirectX? Do you have a definition?
A: Microsoft� DirectX� is a group
of technologies designed to make Windows-based computers an ideal
platform for running and displaying applications rich in multimedia
elements, such as full-color graphics, video, 3-D animation, and
surround sound.
Q: What is the latest version of DirectX
A: The latest released version is currently DirectX 9 for users of
Microsoft Windows 98, 98Se, Me, 2000 and XP. The latest version of
DirectX for Windows 95 users is 8.0a.
Q: When was DirectX 9 released?
A: DirectX 9 was released on December 19, 2002.
Q: What version of DirectX does
Windows .NET server use?
A: As of build 3716, it has version 8.1.
Q: What is new in DirectX 9?
A: "There are many new and exciting features in all of the DirectX
components.
The SDK has added a new member to its core technology called Managed
DirectX, a DirectPlay port for the PocketPC, a High Level Shader
Language for D3DX, and Windows XP parity on downlevel operating systems
for DirectShow and the DirectX audio APIs.
DirectShow also has a new Video Mixing Renderer (VMR9) which uses D3D9
surfaces and always renders video through the 3D pipeline, along with
new and exciting samples.
The generic Windows Media Format SDK stub library (wmstub.lib) available
in previous beta releases has been removed. DirectShow samples using
this stub library have been reverted to the DirectX 8.1 behavior of
displaying a warning to obtain the stub separately, and the readme.txt
files have also been reverted with information on the process to obtain
the stub."
Q: What was new in DirectX 8.0b?
A: DirectX 8.0b was for developers. However, DirectX 8.1 now supersedes
the 8.0b version. This version contains bug fixes contained D3DX dynamic library which
was included in the DirectX 8 release. There are over 25 bug fixes in 10
files. The bug fixes effect core, tex, mesh, effects and samples. If
you'd like to view the release notes for Dx8b to see the full list of
bug fixes, visit this page: http://www.activewin.com/articles/2001/dx8b.shtml�
Q: What was new in DirectX 8.0a?
A: DirectX 8.0a contains updates for issues with international installs
on Windows 2000 and issues where input devices could have buttons
disabled that were enabled with previous DirectX releases. There are no
other changes.
Q: What day was DirectX 8.1
released?
A: DirectX 8.1 was released November 8, 2001.
Q: What day was DirectX 8 released?
A: DirectX 8 was released November 9, 2000.
Q: What day was DirectX 8.0a released?
A: DirectX 8 was released January 24, 2001.
Q: What day was DirectX 8.0b released?
A: DirectX 8 was released April 12, 2001.
Q: What operating systems is DirectX
9 compatible
with?
A: Windows 98, Windows 98SE, Windows Me, Windows 2000(Professional and
server editions), and Windows XP. DirectX 9 is NOT compatible with
Windows NT or Windows 95.
Q: You do not have Windows 95 listed
as being compatible with Microsoft DirectX. What should I do?
A: The latest version available for Windows 95 is DirectX 8.0a.
Q: Is DirectX compatible with Windows NT?
A: Yes, though the only version supported on Windows NT 4.0 is DirectX
3.0a. You must also install Windows NT 4.0 Service Pack 6.
Q: How much space will this take up on the hard
drive?
A: It will take about 18 MB of space once downloaded and installed. About
60 MB for installation.
Q: What languages does DirectX 9 come in?
A: DirectX 9 is available for download in the following languages:
Chinese (Simplified),
Chinese (Traditional),
Czech,
Dutch,
French,
German,
Italian,
Japanese,
Korean,
Polish,
Portuguese (Brazil),
Russian,
Spanish, and
Swedish.
Q: Do I need to install DirectX 9?
A: There are improvements over DirectX 8.1, but most users will do fine
with running 8.1.� Future games and hardware will obviously take
better advantage of DirectX 9.
Q. What features are available with DirectX
9?
A: Click here for the
full list.
Q: I thought that a DirectX Icon would appear in my
control panel - what has happened to it?
A: The DirectX Control Panel is only included in the SDK versions of
DirectX.
Q: How much does DirectX cost?
A: Nothing! It's free.
Q: What is the DirectX SDK?
A: The Microsoft� DirectX� 9 Software
Development Kit (SDK) contains the tools needed to build cutting-edge,
media-rich, interactive applications.�It includes the run-time, headers
and libs, sample executables, sample source, documentation, DirectX
utilities, and support for both C++ and Visual Basic� development.
Q: Where can I get the latest info on DirectX?
A: Visit Microsoft's DirectX
Site or our site at http://www.activewin.com/directx
Q: What version of DirectX does
Windows XP ship with?
A: Windows XP ships with a version of DirectX 8.1.
Q: What version of DirectX does
Windows 2000 ship with?
A: Windows 2000 ships with a version of DirectX 7a.
Q: What versions of DirectX are
shipped with the different Microsoft Operating Systems?
A: Windows 98 comes with native DirectX 5 support. While Windows 98
Second Edition comes with DirectX 6.1a and Windows 2000 DirectX 7.
Windows NT comes with DirectX 3.0a, and Windows 95 comes with DirectX 2.�Windows
XP comes with Direct X 8.1.
Q: Will new versions of DirectX affect
older games?
A: No, as each new version of DirectX is backwards compatible with older
versions.�
Q: Will Windows 2000 users finally be
able to update to each new version of DirectX as they are released, such
as the upcoming DirectX 9?
A: Yes - all future versions of DirectX will install onto Windows 2000.
Q: Does DirectX have a role with Xbox?
A: Yes, all DirectX technologies have been playing a role in the
development of the Xbox both through Microsoft and NVIDIA. Xbox either
shipped with a customized version of DirectX or has a
similar set of non-updateable technologies.�

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