The Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA, formerly the Digital Home Working Group), has released its Home Networked Device Interoperability Guidelines v1.0. The Guidelines define design principles needed to move content between consumer electronics devices, personal computers, and mobile devices on wired or wireless home networks.

DLNA has defined two major components — the media server and media-rendering device — that are necessary for seamless interoperability among devices accessing a home network. These components are based on open standards and protocols such as Internet Protocol (IP), HTTP, and UPnP, and Wi-Fi. The Digital Living Network Alliance says it intentionally uses widely-accepted specifications in order to encourage broad adoption of its guidelines within the CE, PC, and mobile product manufacturing industries.

The Interoperability Guidelines v1.0 specify a set of required formats for image, audio, and A/V media classes. The first addendum will define optional media formats to broaden the scope of the guidelines. The use of smart remotes and mobile devices like cellular phones is also targeted for future inclusion. DLNA anticipates that member companies will begin marketing products based on the Interoperability Guidelines v1.0 by the end of this year.

Launched in June 2003 with only 17 member companies, DLNA now claims more than 140 member organizations representing 14 countries. The organization says its recent name change is intended to reflect DLNA's collaborative role in realizing “the vision of true digital living” and underlines its shift from working group status to a formal alliance. Publication of the Interoperability Guidelines marks DLNA's first major achievement.

 
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