last100: DLNA certified: how your computer, cellphone, games console, media streamer and other devices can play nicely together
Davis Freeberg
· 1 year ago
In theory I think that DLNA certification is a good idea, but I also think that they've botched it from the start. If you take a look at the current specs, all that is required for DLNA certification is support for .jpg, .bmp and other standard photo files, .mp3 files, and Mpeg2 files. While I've got no complaints about the photo or audio options, I do find the video support seriously lacking.
In a digital world dominated by Mpeg4 and H.264 compression schemes, it seems silly to not have advanced codecs as a checklist feature for certification. While many of the DLNA devices will also support Mpeg4, because the MPEG2 standard is all that is required for certification, it creates confusion for those of us who prefer digital video. This opens up the possibility that a consumers will buy a DLNA device expecting that it will work with their video files, only to take it home and realize that they've got to convert their video into a less efficient compression scheme before their DLNA devices will support it.
From what I've read, later this year DLNA is supposed to including Mpeg4 as a default for certification, but considering that VLC and H.264 is quickly becoming a must have feature for video CE products, it feels like DLNA is still a year behind the curve.
Steve O'Hear, editor
· 1 year ago
@ Davis
My thoughts exactly, although, as I said, the branding needs to be improved too, alongside better video standards support.
Jeremy Toeman
· 1 year ago
Having been very involved in the early days of UPNP AV and DLNA, I'll pipe in here - the vision is, and always has been, awesome. The reality check is, in an unfortunate word, fail.
Olivier
· 1 year ago
You should have mentionned TVersity, which is by far the best UPnP server, with excellent real-time transcoding.
Dennis
· 1 year ago
We are currently working on adding real-time transcoding to Mezzmo and the next update will include this useful feature.
Steve O'Hear, editor
· 1 year ago
@ Olivier
I'll update the post.
Carl
· 1 year ago
Does anybody know if its possible to stream an online movie service like Hulu or Amazon Unbox to a DLNA client like the Popcorn Hour? Is it possible via something like Tversity?
Bill
· 6 months ago
You cleared up so much for me. Thank you.
Neil
· 5 months ago
Erm...You've covered Windows and Mac....No mention of Linux?
Coherence, FUPPES, GMediaServer, uShare, GeeXboX, MediaTomb...etc etc.
All Comments
In a digital world dominated by Mpeg4 and H.264 compression schemes, it seems silly to not have advanced codecs as a checklist feature for certification. While many of the DLNA devices will also support Mpeg4, because the MPEG2 standard is all that is required for certification, it creates confusion for those of us who prefer digital video. This opens up the possibility that a consumers will buy a DLNA device expecting that it will work with their video files, only to take it home and realize that they've got to convert their video into a less efficient compression scheme before their DLNA devices will support it.
From what I've read, later this year DLNA is supposed to including Mpeg4 as a default for certification, but considering that VLC and H.264 is quickly becoming a must have feature for video CE products, it feels like DLNA is still a year behind the curve.
My thoughts exactly, although, as I said, the branding needs to be improved too, alongside better video standards support.
I'll update the post.
Coherence, FUPPES, GMediaServer, uShare, GeeXboX, MediaTomb...etc etc.
Good article...but far from complete.