The Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA) this week released the 4.0 version of its guidelines for secure, in-home streaming to interoperable TVs, PCs, mobile devices.
The latest version, it said, solves a “media format not supported” problem between devices, addressing a long-standing complaint from consumers found with some media files stores on their servers. DLNA said it’s addressing that by mandating transcoding on the media server.
The 4.0 version, which has been submitted for adoption as a global standard by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), also adds support for Ultra HD video streaming and HEVC video compression, IPv6, and elements that make supported devices more energy-efficient.
Products that support DLNA 4.0 will be marked with a new logo.
“With the new Guidelines and logo, consumers will be able to buy products that they know will work together to the highest levels of compatibility while supporting the latest high-definition media formats and energy-saving features,” Duncan Bees, VP of technology and strategy at DLNA, said in a statement.
Comcast, Verizon, Broadcom, AwoX, Dolby Laboratories, Intel, LG, Panasonic, Time Warner Cable (now part of Charter Communications), and Sony are among leading members of DLNA.
MSOs, Cox Communications and Comcast in particular, have been focusing on VidiPath, DLNA guidelines that enable MVPDs stream their services associated interfaces securely over the home network to other VidiPath-compatible, customer-owned devices through a downloaded MVPD app. VidiPath was one of several options presented to the FCC during the Commission's pursuit of new set-top rules aimed at succeeding the CableCARD.
