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UPnP Forum Releases Enhanced AV Specifications Taking Home Network to the Next Level (18/7/2006)

The home network takes another step forward. The UPnP(TM) Forum announced the release of version 2 of the UPnP Audio Video specifications (UPnP AV v2), which enable the next progression of the AV-oriented home network. The UPnP AV specifications use the UPnP Device Architecture specifications -- the core interoperability technology for all UPnP enabled devices -- allowing different companies to build home network products that automatically locate and identify each other without any end-user configuration.

The new UPnP AV v2 specifications help extend the home owner's entertainment experiences by letting them identify and record programs and other digital content for later viewing. These new specifications also simplify playback of premium digital content without interfering with the underlying DRM (digital rights management) technology used to protect the premium content. The UPnP AV v2 specifications are fully backward compatible with the UPnP AV v1 specifications.

These new entertainment experiences are created by adding capabilities to the UPnP AV MediaServer and MediaRenderer device classes that allow a higher level of interoperability between MediaServers and MediaRenderers from different manufacturers. MediaServer devices include DVD players, VCRs, PCs, personal video recorders (PVRs), CD players, MP3 players, satellite and cable set-top boxes, TVs, etc. MediaRenderer devices include televisions, PCs, digital media adapters, stereo systems, and personal music players.

"The UPnP AV specifications provide an interoperability infrastructure, which enables device manufacturers to deliver innovative AV products that allow an end user to purchase products from different manufacturers, bring them home, plug them into their home network, and they just work together -- it's that simple," said John Ritchie, co-chair of the UPnP Forum's AV Working Committee and staff engineer, Intel Digital Home Group.

"End users can expect an improved synergy among home entertainment products in which the incremental benefit of each device increases as more and more UPnP AV devices are added to the home network," added Geert Knapen, the other co-chair of the committee and Digital Architect, Royal Philips Electronics.

About UPnP Technology

UPnP technology makes home networking simple and affordable so that the connected home experience becomes a mainstream experience for users and a great opportunity for the industry. UPnP device and service standards have been defined and published for Internet gateways/routers, audio-video media devices, printers, scanners, climate control, lighting and wireless LAN access points.

The UPnP architecture offers pervasive network connectivity between all types of devices including network-enabled consumer electronics equipment, intelligent appliances, portable wireless devices, PCs, etc. The UPnP architecture leverages TCP/IP and other Web technologies to enable seamless integration of these devices into existing network infrastructures. UPnP technology can be implemented on nearly any operating system and works with essentially any type of physical networking media that supports IP -- wired or wireless -- providing maximum user and developer choices, which result in higher economic benefits for everyone.

About UPnP Certification and the UPnP Implementers Corporation

There are now more than 220 UPnP(TM) certified products. UPnP certification creates the foundation for interoperability and provides an easy way for retailers and consumers to recognize products that have been developed and tested to comply with the UPnP device standards. The UPnP Implementers Corporation (UIC) is the non-profit corporation that promotes the adoption of UPnP technology by manufacturers of hardware and software products. The UIC administers the UPnP device certification process and the UPnP mark licensing.

www.upnp.org