Asia and Pacific
CEATEC: Gadgets getting connected with DLNA
By Martyn Williams, IDG News Service (Tokyo Bureau)
The long-promised dream of a home-wide network that allows gadgets to seamlessly interconnect may soon become a reality.
That's because products based on a new home networking specification backed by some of the world's largest consumer electronics and computer companies will be on store shelves before the end of this year, some of the same companies said at last week's Ceatec Japan 2004 exhibition.
The specification was drawn up by a group called the Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA), known until earlier this year as the Digital Home Working Group (DHWG). Encompassing more than 180 companies, including such names as Intel Corp., Microsoft Corp., Sony Corp., Nokia Corp. and Hewlett-Packard Co., the group published version 1.0 of its standard in June this year and things are moving fast.
"This is the quickest time from standardization to implementation in products that I have experienced," said Scott Smyers, chairman of the DLNA board of directors and vice president of Sony Elec-tronics Inc.'s network and systems architecture division, speaking at Ceatec.
Part of the reason for this fast pace is due to the specification's reliance on existing standards.
"In contrast to other standards, we are not creating a new technology," said Smyers. "We are pointing to existing technologies."
The first version calls for a network based on wired or wireless Ethernet and running IPv4 (Internet Protocol version 4). Media is carried across the network using HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) and discovery, control and management of connected devices is accomplished with UPnP (universal plug'n'play).
To fulfill the promise of the digital home network, device interconnection is only one step.
Another important step is getting the devices to speak the same language, which in multimedia terms means to exchange data in the same format. In the first ver-sion of the DLNA specification the JPEG image, Liner PCM audio and MPEG2 video protocols have been set as a common base. Products can use other formats internally but must be able to transcode them to one of the base formats for interconnection purposes.
Several demonstration networks, each featuring a handful of products supporting DLNA, were on show at Ceatec Japan last week. On one network, a Toshiba Corp. TV tuner was connected to an NEC Corp. personal computer, Panasonic notebook PC and Sony televi-sion via Ethernet and to a Toshiba notebook PC, Sony handheld digital media player and Netgear Inc. digital media player via wireless Ethernet. Users of each device could browse the net and access content stored on other devices.
"When we agree on standards, we are successful," said Louis Burns, vice president and general manager of Intel's desktop platforms group, during a keynote speech at Ceatec. "We've already made great progress in developing standards for the digital home."
In today's digital world, setting common formats for both interconnection and files is not enough. As users of online music download services have already discovered, digital rights management (DRM) systems can stop content sharing cold even if the files are based on the same format.
Here work is also taking place, although at present it is outside of the DLNA.
One system, called DTCP/IP (Digital Transmission Content Protection/Internet Protocol), is being developed by Intel, Hitachi Ltd., Sony, Toshiba Corp. and Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. Ltd. It has been developed to protect content as it is transmitted across an IP network like that used by DLNA products. Developers of the system are working with DRM owners on transcoding that would also allow sharing of content between devices that support different DRM systems - something that isn't possible at present.
Using DTCP/IP and transcoding, for example, copy-protected music from Apple Computer Inc.'s iTunes Music Store would be able to be streamed across a network to a digital music player that supports only Microsoft Corp.'s Windows Media Audio DRM. The system would transcode the Apple DRM into DTCP/IP for transmission across and network and transcode it to Windows Media DRM at the other end, ensuring it remains protected but can be shared.
Digital 5 was demonstrating this at Ceatec with a prototype set-top box from Netgear Inc. The MP115 contains Digital 5's middleware and will be launched before the end of this year, said Alexander Markovic, principal technologist at Digital 5. It will allow consumers to Movielink LLC's online movies-on-demand service to download content to their personal computer and stream it to the Netgear box for viewing on a television. The DTCP transcodes from Real Networks Inc.'s DRM to DTCP/IP for transmission across the network.
At present the ability to deal with commercial DRM systems is not part of the DLNA guidelines but that is changing, said Smyers.
"Now, we are very much focused on commercial content," he said. "DTCP may be one component. Our mission is not to promote technology that doesn't have a place but promote technology that is open. There are Real Media systems out there that are open and they will also get DLNA's attention."
Getting such support included so that users will face no restric-tions on using their purchased or created content is vital, said Intel's Burns.
"If consumers don't get what they want, they'll find a way," he said. "Users learned very quickly that if they turn (copy-protected music) back into MP3 they can break the DRM and do whatever they want."
Looking ahead, DLNA is now working on a version 1.1 specification and addendums that will cover a number of optional media formats, including GIF, PNG and TIFF images, MP3, Windows Media Audio, AC-3, AAC and ATRAC3, plus audio and the MPEG4 Part 2, MPEG4 Part 10 and Windows Media Video 9 video formats. The optional formats will mean no transcoding is required in the case that two devices support MP3, for example. The devices will still be required to support the mandatory formats so they can exchange data with devices that don't support the optional format in question.
With its expansion, the group will remain focused on tying together existing or new technologies rather than developing its own specifications, Smyers said.
"DLNA's intention is to grow the technology over time because new technologies are always being invented," he said.
Microsoft aims high with Media Center update
CEATEC: Gadgets getting connected with DLNA
By Martyn Williams,
IDG News Service (Tokyo Bureau)
The long-promised dream of a home-wide network that allows gadgets to seamlessly interconnect may soon become a reality.
That's because products based on a new home networking specification backed by some of the world's largest consumer electronics and computer companies will be on store shelves before the end of this year, some of the same companies said at last week's Ceatec Japan 2004 exhibition.
The specification was drawn up by a group called the Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA), known until earlier this year as the Digital Home Working Group (DHWG). Encompassing more than 180 companies, including such names as Intel Corp., Microsoft Corp., Sony Corp., Nokia Corp. and Hewlett-Packard Co., the group published version 1.0 of its standard in June this year and things are moving fast.
"This is the quickest time from standardization to implementation in products that I have experien-ced," said Scott Smyers, chairman of the DLNA board of directors and vice president of Sony Elec-tronics Inc.'s network and systems architecture division, speaking at Ceatec.
Part of the reason for this fast pace is due to the specification's reliance on existing standards.
"In contrast to other standards, we are not creating a new technology," said Smyers. "We are pointing to existing technologies."
The first version calls for a network based on wired or wireless Ethernet and running IPv4 (Internet Protocol version 4). Media is carried across the network using HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) and discovery, control and management of connected devices is accomplished with UPnP (universal plug'n'play).
To fulfill the promise of the digital home network, device interconnection is only one step.
Another important step is getting the devices to speak the same language, which in multimedia terms means to exchange data in the same format. In the first ver-sion of the DLNA specification the JPEG image, Liner PCM audio and MPEG2 video protocols have been set as a common base. Products can use other formats internally but must be able to transcode them to one of the base formats for interconnection purposes.
Several demonstration networks, each featuring a handful of products supporting DLNA, were on show at Ceatec Japan last week. On one network, a Toshiba Corp. TV tuner was connected to an NEC Corp. personal computer, Panasonic notebook PC and Sony televi-sion via Ethernet and to a Toshiba notebook PC, Sony handheld digital media player and Netgear Inc. digital media player via wireless Ethernet. Users of each device could browse the net and access content stored on other devices.
"When we agree on standards, we are successful," said Louis Burns, vice president and general manager of Intel's desktop platforms group, during a keynote speech at Ceatec. "We've already made great progress in developing standards for the digital home."
In today's digital world, setting common formats for both interconnection and files is not enough. As users of online music download services have already discovered, digital rights management (DRM) systems can stop content sharing cold even if the files are based on the same format.
Here work is also taking place, although at present it is outside of the DLNA.
One system, called DTCP/IP (Digital Transmission Content Protection/Internet Protocol), is being developed by Intel, Hitachi Ltd., Sony, Toshiba Corp. and Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. Ltd. It has been developed to protect content as it is transmitted across an IP network like that used by DLNA products. Developers of the system are working with DRM owners on transcoding that would also allow sharing of content between devices that support different DRM systems - something that isn't possible at present.
Using DTCP/IP and transcoding, for example, copy-protected music from Apple Computer Inc.'s iTunes Music Store would be able to be streamed across a network to a digital music player that supports only Microsoft Corp.'s Windows Media Audio DRM. The system would transcode the Apple DRM into DTCP/IP for transmission across and network and transcode it to Windows Media DRM at the other end, ensuring it remains protected but can be shared.
Digital 5 was demonstrating this at Ceatec with a prototype set-top box from Netgear Inc. The MP115 contains Digital 5's middleware and will be launched before the end of this year, said Alexander Markovic, principal technologist at Digital 5. It will allow consumers to Movielink LLC's online movies-on-demand service to download content to their personal computer and stream it to the Netgear box for viewing on a television. The DTCP transcodes from Real Networks Inc.'s DRM to DTCP/IP for transmission across the network.
At present the ability to deal with commercial DRM systems is not part of the DLNA guidelines but that is changing, said Smyers.
"Now, we are very much focused on commercial content," he said. "DTCP may be one component. Our mission is not to pro-mote technology that doesn't have a place but promote technology that is open. There are Real Media systems out there that are open and they will also get DLNA's attention."
Getting such support included so that users will face no restric-tions on using their purchased or created content is vital, said Intel's Burns.
"If consumers don't get what they want, they'll find a way," he said. "Users learned very quickly that if they turn (copy-protected music) back into MP3 they can break the DRM and do whatever they want."
Looking ahead, DLNA is now working on a version 1.1 specification and addendums that will cover a number of optional media formats, including GIF, PNG and TIFF images, MP3, Windows Media Audio, AC-3, AAC and ATRAC3, plus audio and the MPEG4 Part 2, MPEG4 Part 10 and Windows Media Video 9 video formats. The optional formats will mean no transcoding is required in the case that two devices support MP3, for example. The devices will still be required to support the mandatory formats so they can exchange data with devices that don't support the optional format in question.
With its expansion, the group will remain focused on tying together existing or new technologies rather than developing its own specifications, Smyers said.
"DLNA's intention is to grow the technology over time because new technologies are always being invented," he said.
America:
Microsoft aims high with Media Center update
By Joris Evers, IDG News Service (San Francisco Bureau)
At a launch event in Los Angeles, Microsoft positions Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 as its best operating system for consumers. The Redmond, Washington, company announces that it has sold over 1 million copies of the product to date and that it expects to sell at least 19 million more by 2007.
"Media Center 2005 is going to catapult the operating system much more to a mainstream status," said Dave Fester, general manager of Microsoft's Windows Consumer group. "If you look at the massive interest and demand by consumers for digital entertainment in music, photos, TV, this is the version of Windows you want."
Microsoft's is aiming high with its projections for Media Center, said Rob Enderle, principal analyst with The Enderle Group in San Jose, California. "They are basically saying that a third of consumer machines will be a Media Center of the next few years. I think that is probably aggressive," he said.
The update to Windows XP Media Center Edition, code-named Symphony, has been in beta testing since early this year. The update includes a host of new features, including support for two TV tuners, DVD burning, over-the-air high-definition television and satellite in addition to cable TV. The software also offers improved support for mobile devices and a refreshed user interface.
A key new feature is support for wireless technology and in particular Media Center Extender, a new technology that lets users wirelessly connect up to five TVs to the Media Center PC. Also, users can now exchange MSN instant messages through their TV and remotely program their Media Center 2005 system through a service offered by MSN.
Microsoft has hosted events in September or October for the past two years to introduce new Media Center products for the December shopping season. In 2002, the software maker announced the first version of Windows XP Media Center Edition, followed by an update, Windows XP Media Center Edition 2004, last year.
With the 2005 version, Windows XP Media Center is finally a finished product, said Enderle. "This is a significant step. Last year's product was interesting, but this year's product feels mature and where we go from here will be minor enhancements."
Windows XP Media Center Edition is a premium version of Windows XP, designed to make the PC the media and entertainment hub for the home. In addition to traditional PC tasks, the system can serve music, pictures, video and live television to portable devices, stereos and TVs while also enforcing digital rights set by content owners. Users can access the Media Center PC with a remote control through a special interface on their TV.
Along with the release of the updated Media Center operating sys-tem, Microsoft and hardware makers are announcing the first devices that use Media Center Extender technology, new Media Center PCs and new digital audio receivers for an audio-only expe-rience.
For example, Hewlett-Packard Co. plans to announce four new Media Center PCs, a Media Center Extender and two products dubbed Digital Entertainment Centers that look like standard consumer electronics hardware such as VCRs or DVD players (...). Gateway Inc. and Dell Inc. also are announcing new systems (...).
The Media Center unveiling is also be combined with the introduction of new portable media players from vendors including Creative Technology Ltd. and Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. Additio-nally, Microsoft is announcing Windows Media Player 10 Mobile for Windows-based cell phones and personal digital assistants (PDAs). The software turns these devices into portable media players that will work with Media Center PCs, allowing users to take content with them.
Windows Media Player 10 Mobile also includes support for Microsoft's new "Janus" DRM (digital rights management) technology, which allows subscribers to online music services that support the technology to download vast music collections. The software will ship on many devices, starting with a new smart phone from Audiovox Corp. and a new Axim X50 PDA from Dell. Existing devices can be upgraded, but users will have to get an upgrade from the device maker, according to Microsoft.
Also for portable devices, Microsoft is introducing a new logo program called "Plays for Sure." The logo will appear on media players and online music and video services to indicate interoperability. "When consumers see a device that has the Plays for Sure logo or a music or video service that has the logo, you can guarantee interoperability between those devices and services," Microsoft's Fester said.
As part of the consumer-fo- cused announcements, Microsoft on Tuesday will officially launch its MSN Music store in the U.S. and a similar service in eight other countries through a partnership with Loudeye Corp. The download service will be available in the U.S., Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Netherlands, Spain, Austria and Switzerland.
The MSN Music Store, Microsoft's response to Apple Computer Inc.'s iTunes, is also available through Windows XP Media Center's TV interface, along with dozens of other online services that provide music, movies, radio and other content.
Windows XP Media Center 2005 is the centerpiece of a Microsoft marketing effort to revive interest in the 3-year-old Windows XP operating system. Without a brand new version of Windows scheduled until Longhorn in 2006, Microsoft is betting XP Media Center 2005 will move consumers to buy new PCs.
Media Center PCs cost more than plain Windows XP Home machines, with price tags from around US$900 to over $1,999 for the more expensive systems. In an effort to make Media Center PCs more affordable, Microsoft has relaxed the hardware requirements for the systems: a TV tuner card and remote control are no longer required.
However, buyers of a dressed down system without a TV card or remote will likely upgrade their systems to be able to get the full Media Center experience, analyst Enderle said.
To expand the availability of Media Center, Microsoft is now making it available to the system builder channel. Previously the operating system was the exclusive domain of mostly large, multinational PC makers. Now white box makers - PC stores that sell systems without a brand name - are also able to build and sell Media Center PCs. "We're making it affordable for the masses," Microsoft's Fester said.
Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 is available on PCs from many vendors. Users of the 2004 version may be able to upgrade, but need to contact their hardware supplier for information, according to Microsoft.
America:
Dell unveils holiday lineup, including new plasma TVs
By Stacy Cowley, IDG News Service (New York Bureau)
Dell Inc. took the wraps off its holiday lineup on Thursday, showing new printers, plasma televisions and music players that will soon be available through its Web site.
Dell's two new, 42-inch plasma televisions are the company's first entry into that market, where it hopes to undercut competitors. Dell's high-end W4200HD will sell for US$3,500 and support high-definition content, with resolution of 1024 vertical lines by 768 horizontal lines. Dell will also offer the W4200ED, priced at $2,300, featuring resolution of 852 by 480.
"This is a logical extension of our flat-panel market," said Mike George, general manager and vice president of Dell's U.S. consumer business. (...) Dell also introduced two new models in its Dell DJ (Digital Jukebox) line of digital music players. One of the new versions, the 4.4-ounce, 5G-byte Pocket DJ, is a lightweight player intended to rival Apple Computer Inc.'s iPod Mini. Dell's Pocket DJ is larger than the iPod Mini, but it's also cheaper, with a retail price of $200 versus the iPod Mini's $250.
Dell's other new DJ is an updated version of its 20G-byte model. The company is adding Microsoft Corp.'s Media Transfer Protocol and Digital Rights Management technology, code named Janus, to its media players; the technology will be added to existing DJs later this year and in early 2005 to the models introduced on Thursday. Customers will be able to upgrade their DJs to incorporate the new software at Dell's Web site.
The new media players and the plasma TVs will be available for ordering later this month and will begin shipping in early November, Dell said. The plasma TVs can currently only be shipped in the U.S., excluding Alaska and Hawaii, but George said Dell is working to expand distribution to Europe and Asia.