The Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA) certified more than 1,000 TV models in North America, Europe, Korea and Japan as DLNA compliant in the first quarter of 2011 alone. That’s more than the total number certified in the first four years of the program, and brings the total number of certified models to over 4,000.
DLNA makes it easy to stream content between devices. A DLNA server, such as a PC with media files, can stream to any DLNA enabled client, such as a PS3 or DLNA certified HDTV. Since it is a standard, any compliant client can connect to a compliant server. A recent CableLabs Interop event shows that MVPDs are looking at using DLNA to allow their STBs to stream content to other devices in the home.
The entire CE industry seems to have embraced DLNA, there’s quite a list of supporters. There is a notable exception, TiVo. TiVo’s lack of DLNA support has been the source of disappointment and frustration for users, myself included. Unless they’re using DLNA for the as-yet-unreleased Premiere-to-Premiere streaming, which there is no indication of, there has been no sign of TiVo embracing DLNA.
If TiVo acted as a DLNA client consumers would be able to stream media off of their PC, or other DLNA server devices, quickly and easily. There would be no need to bend over backwards to make things work through TiVo Desktop, or to use reverse-engineered 3rd party products like kmttg, Streambaby, or pyTiVo.
And if TiVo acted as a DLNA server you could stream content off of your TiVo to DLNA client devices – like a PS3 or one of those 4,000 TV models. You could have instant multi-room viewing, a whole home DVR, without buying additional TiVo boxes – which is probably why they’re not doing it. But that’s a shame, DLNA is becoming almost standard in new CE devices and rather than locking users into TiVo, I think it will lock TiVo out of the larger DLNA ecosystem.
I’m hopeful that with cable MSOs looking toward DLNA, and TiVo establishing relationships with cable MSOs, TiVo will need to implement DLNA in their products to satisfy those MSOs. I love TiVo, but I hate walled gardens and TiVo feels increasingly walled off by comparison as other vendors become more open. I hope that changes, both for TiVo’s sake and for consumers.
Press release below:
Jul 19, 2011 09:02 ET
Digital Living Network Alliance Certifies More Than 1,000 Television Models in First Quarter of 2011
PORTLAND, Oregon, July 19, 2011/PRNewswire/ —
Rapid Acceleration in Certifications Demonstrates Continued
Importance of Television as Centerpiece in Digital Home
The Digital Living Network Alliance [http://www.dlna.org ] (DLNA) experienced unprecedented growth in the number of DLNA Certified® televisions during the first quarter of 2011, certifying more than 1,000 models in North America, Europe, Korea and Japan. The number of television models Certified by the Alliance in the first three months of the year was greater than the total number Certified in the first four years of the program. There are now more than 4,000 Certified television models available, providing consumers with a convenient way to connect and enjoy content throughout the digital home.
Total shipments of connected televisions in 2015 are expected to reach 138 million worldwide, according to DisplaySearch, a global market research and consulting firm specializing in the flat panel display supply chain and display-related industries. As the number of connected televisions grows on a global scale, and the television remains the hub of today’s digital home, DLNA is making the sharing of content across consumers’ home networks easier via standards-based products.
“In just the first three months of this year, we saw an exponential increase in new television model certifications, demonstrating that the connected television is only increasing in importance as the focal point of today’s fully connected digital home,” said Nidhish Parikh, chairman and president of DLNA. “Consumers are demanding connectivity amongst all of their home entertainment products and require the flexibility to share content between products developed by a variety of manufacturers. This demand increases each year and we expect to see continued growth in DLNA Certified® televisions as a result.”
With a DLNA Certified® television, consumers can enjoy their content from an array of DLNA Certified® products including mobile phones, tablet computers, digital cameras and laptops. DLNA Certified® televisions are currently available from member companies including: AwoX, Broadcom, Cabot, Compal, Funai, HP, Hitachi, JVC, LG, MStar, Panasonic, Philips, Pioneer, Samsung, SANYO, Sharp, Sony, Toshiba and Trident. A full list of Certified television models can be found on the DLNA Certified Product Search.
For more information about DLNA, please visit our website http://www.DLNA.org or find us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/dlnacertified and on Twitter at @DLNA.
About DLNA
Members of Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA) share a vision of an interoperable network of personal computers (PC), consumer electronics (CE), mobile devices and service providers in and beyond the home, enabling a seamless environment for sharing and growing new digital media and content services. Founded in 2003, the group established and maintains a platform of interoperability based on open and established industry standards that, when used by manufacturers will support the sharing of media through wired or wireless networks. More than 200 multi-industry companies from around the world have joined DLNA, committing the time and resources necessary to achieve their vision. DLNA’s Promoter Members include: ACCESS, AT&T, AwoX, Broadcom, CableLabs, Cisco, Comcast, DIRECTV, DTS, Dolby Laboratories, Ericsson, HP, Huawei, Intel, LG, Microsoft, Motorola, Nokia, Panasonic, PROMISE Technology, Qualcomm, Samsung, Sharp, Sony, Technicolor and Verizon. Additional information about the Alliance, its participating companies and membership benefits is available at http://www.dlna.org.
Source: Digital Living Network Alliance
John Kreuzer, McGrath/Power Public Relations, +1-408-727-0351, johnkreuzer@mcgrathpower.com, for Digital Living Network Alliance
