According to recent research by In-Stat, Windows 7 is expected to jump start consumer adoption of Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) and Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA) technology. DLNA will see more than a billion units shipped by 2014, a significant increase from the few hundred million units shipped in 2009, with UPnP shipments slightly exceeding DLNA shipments.

The UPnP standard was designed to ensure interoperability among devices from different manufacturers. Building on the UPnP standard, DLNA is a set of guidelines for how to connect PCs and other consumer electronics in the home; for example, DLNA-enabled devices allow consumers to view their computer files on their HDTV. The DLNA guidelines specify the UPnP standard as the connection that all DLNA-certified devices have to use.

Windows 7 not only supports DLNA, but also requires that peripheral devices – such as HDTVs, Xbox 360s, electronic picture frames, etc. – be DLNA-certified to be listed as Windows 7 compatible. Currently, many consumers do not realize their PCs have these interconnection capabilities. As awareness of these capabilities increases, DLNA and UPnP adoption and sales are expected to grow significantly.

• DLNA-enabled handsets, PCs and digital televisions are poised to see the most widespread adoption, accounting for 74 percent of the 2014 DLNA market.
• More than 85 million DLNA-enabled Blu-Ray players and recorders are projected to ship in 2014.
• Digital media controllers, which currently make up the smallest volume of UPnP shipments, will account for the largest growth.

This growth in adoption presents an enormous opportunity for manufacturers, but the array of consumer devices on the market can make verifying interoperability a challenge. Allion has established its Ecosystem Validation program to help manufacturers with product development; this validation tests a product with a complete line of digital products to ensure that it will function properly when a consumer brings it home. With interoperability a critical attribute for today’s consumer electronics, ecosystem validation can help developers ensure that their products will function properly in any home network.

Learn More:

• DLNA Builds Momentum and Expands Focus to Consumers
• Windows 7 Testing and Ecosystem Interoperability
• Will Window 7 Move Networked Home from Whiteboard to Reality?

Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA) is an organization that envisions products from different manufacturers interoperating with each other across home networks, making it possible to share and enjoy digital content throughout the home. To achieve this goal the alliance has developed a set of guidelines that utilize Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, UPnP and Ethernet to deliver multimedia content to devices. DLNA is comprised of more than 200 companies from around the world, including heavy-hitters like Cisco, HP, Microsoft, Panasonic, Samsung and Sony.

The organization was established in 2003 and has continued to build momentum; DLNA now touts 5,000+ certified products in the marketplace including:

• 3,800 PCs
• 31 A/V receivers
• 27 digital media adapters/set-top boxes
• 2 game consoles
• 423 TVs
• 114 networked hard drives
• 23 Blu-ray players
• 20 mobile phones
• 4 printers

Six DLNA members recently visited consumer electronics company Crutchfield to demo interoperating DLNA certified products. DLNA was also looking to gain insight into the consumer market, as mentioned on the Crutchfield company blog. Awareness among consumers and retailers has become more important as the number of certified products has grown.

To achieve DLNA certification, you should incorporate DLNA standards into your products and put those products through a rigorous test program to ensure that you have implemented the features necessary to comply with DLNA design guidelines. Allion works closely with DLNA to verify that your products can function appropriately when connected to other DLNA certified devices in a home.

More DLNA News

Recently Windows 7 reached Release Candidate status; a signal that within the calendar year we would see Windows 7 shipping.

One interesting addition to Windows 7 is functionality titled Play To. Play To utilizes networking standards from DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance), and the theory goes that one should now be able to get content from the PC to previously difficult to reach network attached devices; the network attached digital picture frame, storage device, television, gaming system, etc.

A true digital home has been a long time coming and it certainly appears that Microsoft is taking a big step forward with Windows 7; helping consumers move their most valuable assets – photos, video, music – out of the office or den and into the living room for all to enjoy.

Although DLNA has been around for a number of years, this step by Microsoft could be the true coming out party for the standard. Microsoft has provided a software solution that will fully realize the capability of DLNA hardware standards.

To ensure that consumers can play to devices that Microsoft is promising; devices need to properly implement DLNA. Device manufacturers hoping to ensure their latest products will give consumers the experience they expect should incorporate DLNA standards and test devices for compliance and certification. Retailers too should watch carefully to ensure that products on their shelves have passed the benchmarks of DLNA Certification from an authorized test facility – if not retailers could face frustrated consumers returning shredded boxes.

Good first steps to ensure Plays To compatible:

• Work with a test lab to achieve DLNA compliance
• Test to, and become compliant with Windows Hardware Compatibility requirements
• Conduct market testing to benchmark solutions against others currently offered in the market