| The Digital Living Network Alliance, or DLNA, was | | | | infrastructure devices. |
| started in 2003, and it is revolutionizing the way | | | | |
| we experience technology. The organization's | | | | 1. HOME NETWORK DEVICES |
| mission is to bridge the compatibility gap between | | | | 2. Digital Media Servers (DMS) DMS hold content |
| different formats and fix connectivity issues | | | | that can be played of Digital Media Players, or |
| between different hardware infrastructures, | | | | DMPs, as well as Digital Media Renderers, or DMRs. |
| allowing end users to enjoy media streaming and | | | | Example: your home PC |
| file sharing between different devices. Think of it | | | | 3. Digital Media Players (DMP) DMP can render and |
| as the modern Bluetooth for modern devices: ALL | | | | play back content stored on DMS. Example: your |
| SORTS of modern devices. The grassroots | | | | kitchen TV, or the living room stereo. |
| movement of just a few companies now includes | | | | 4. Digital Media Controllers (DMC) DMCs look for |
| giants like IBM, Sony, Toshiba, Cisco, Comcast, | | | | content on the DMS and play it on DMRs. |
| Intel, and more. | | | | Example: your WiFi digital camera, Internet tablet, |
| USABILITY | | | | or PDA. |
| Unite your cell phone, PDA, TV, PC, stereo, | | | | 5. Digital Media Renderers (DMR) Like a DMP for |
| printer, fax machine, digital camera, video | | | | the DMS, except for the DMC: it plays content |
| recorder, router and other devices under your | | | | from Digital Media Controllers. Example: remote |
| already-existing network, at home or in the | | | | media speakers, AV receivers. |
| workplace! Using DLNA, you can now share your | | | | 6. Digital Media Printer (DMP) Pretty |
| iTunes library with your kitchen stereo, or you | | | | self-explanatory: will print just about anything and |
| can print out an email attachment from your PDA | | | | everything on your DLNA network. No example |
| through your printer, bypassing the PC as the | | | | necessary. |
| "mediator" for your data. Before, showing a | | | | HOME INFRASTRUCTURE DEVICES |
| corporate PowerPoint required you to burn the.ppt | | | | 1. Mobile Network Connectivity Function (M-NCF) |
| file from your office computer on a CD, or | | | | These devices provide a bridge between mobile |
| transfer it to a flash drive so you could plug it into | | | | handheld device network connectivity and home |
| a projector or a laptop in the conference room; | | | | network connectivity. |
| with DLNA, all of your devices are sharing your | | | | 2. Media Interoperability Unit (MIU) These devices |
| existing network - doesn't matter if its wired or | | | | provide content transformation between required |
| wireless - and working together to make your | | | | media formats for home network and mobile |
| day more efficient. | | | | handheld devices. |
| According to the Executive Vice President of | | | | MOBILE HANDHELD DEVICES |
| Comcast, Tony Werner: | | | | 1. Mobile Digital Media Server, Player and Controller |
| "We're working to continually innovate our | | | | (M-DMS, M-DMP, M-DMC) Everything that a |
| products and services to offer consumers | | | | conventional DMS, DMP, or DMC can do, except in |
| unparalleled choice and control for a differentiated | | | | handheld form. Cell phones and PDAs can be a |
| entertainment experience. The new DLNA | | | | M-DMS, M-DMP or a M-DMC. |
| guidelines and certification will support that goal by | | | | 2. Mobile Digital Media Uploader (M-DMU) |
| giving our customers the ability to enjoy content | | | | DLNA-certified cameras, music players, video |
| when and how they want on a range of devices." | | | | recorders, and other handheld devices that can |
| CONFIGURATION | | | | send files and other media to your DMC or DMR, |
| In order to make a new electronic device | | | | like a TV or a DVR, are uploaders. |
| compatible with other DLNA-certified units, the | | | | 3. Mobile Digital Media Downloader (M-DMD) Used |
| manufacturer has to follow very specific guidelines | | | | for locating, downloading and storing data from |
| established by the Alliance. Adjustments and | | | | DLNA-certified devices. Examples: cell phones and |
| revisions are continuously made to this list of | | | | MP3 players. The idea behind the DLNA is to allow |
| requirements to expand the support of various | | | | your devices to communicate with each other |
| products. If you're an end-user, the configuration | | | | quickly, with minimum fuss. Right now, over 5,000 |
| of a DLNA-certified device is simple: just hook it | | | | devices developed by 245 companies are |
| up to your home or office network, and you're | | | | DLNA-compliant, and millions of people have |
| good to go. Data transfer speeds vary depending | | | | experienced the advancement already. Look for |
| on which device you're using; for instance, | | | | the official green seal when buying your next |
| Ethernet-enabled playback devices can seamlessly | | | | device to see if it's supported by other DLNA |
| let you watch an HD movie in 1080P with no | | | | devices. |
| problems. | | | | We should see the availability of even more DLNA |
| DEVICE CLASSESDLNA Certified Devices are | | | | compatible devices appearing in the markets over |
| clustered into three groups: home network | | | | the next couple of years. |
| devices, mobile handheld devices, and home | | | | |