DLNA Launches Expanded Certification Program for Home Networking Products.

International Cross-Industry Organization Expands Program to Validate New Device Categories

TOKYO and PORTLAND, Ore. -- Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA([R])) today announced the expansion of its Certification and Logo Program to now cover four DLNA device classes: Digital Media Server, Digital Media Player, Mobile Digital Media Server, and Mobile Digital Media Player. The certification program verifies that new DLNA products comply with the latest DLNA Networked Device Interoperability Guidelines.

The DLNA Certification and Logo Program tests products for member companies through a well-defined process. Upon successfully completing this process, DLNA members are granted use of the DLNA Certified[TM] logo to market and promote the tested product. Certified products available in the market are also listed on the DLNA website.

Since DLNA started its certification program in September 2005, more than 1,300 products have earned DLNA Certified status, with more than 730 products listed on the DLNA web site as available in the market. These products represent a large variety of categories, including televisions, personal computers, HDD and video disc recorders and players, home and personal audio systems, digital media adaptors (DMA), home theaters, network attached storage (NAS) devices, digital cameras, and gaming devices. More than two dozen member companies have certified products to date.

Currently, there are four independent test laboratories, known as Independent Certification Vendors (ICVs), that are accredited by DLNA to perform interoperability testing services as part of the requirements set by the DLNA Certification and Logo Program. These labs cover four main regions: Allion Test Labs in Taipei, Taiwan, ROC; PMTC in Diepenbeek, Belgium; University of New Hampshire-InterOperability Laboratory (UNH-IOL) in Durham, New Hampshire; and XXCAL JAPAN in Yokohama, Japan.

Complementing the DLNA Certification and Logo Program, DLNA also hosts technical plugfests on a quarterly basis to provide its members with opportunities to test products with other companies' products and prototypes in advance of their formal certification.

"The DLNA Certification and Logo Program delivers a level of assurance to the industry and to consumers that products with a DLNA Certified logo have passed rigorous testing to be able to share digital content between devices within a home network," said Scott Smyers, president and chairman of DLNA. "With the expanded DLNA device guidelines, more manufacturers will be able to certify various categories of products, which provide consumers with more choices to connect and enjoy their digital content."

In addition to the ICV testing, DLNA devices equipped with IEEE 802.11 wireless capability are required to be certified by the Wi-Fi Alliance. Also required for applicable device classes is UPnP[TM] certification (administered by the UPnP Implementers Corporation).

DLNA Guidelines

The DLNA Networked Device Interoperability Guidelines support image, audio and video across twelve device classes and various additional capabilities, as well as Link Protection mechanisms. The next version of the DLNA Guidelines, currently under development, expands on the current guidelines by adding additional features and capabilities to meet consumers' needs as they expand their digital home networks.

About DLNA

Members of Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA) share a vision of an interoperable network of personal computers (PC), consumer electronics (CE) and mobile devices 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 industry standards that, when used by manufacturers, will support the sharing of media through wired or wireless networks. More than 240 multi-industry companies from around the world have joined DLNA, committing the time and resources necessary to achieve their vision. Additional information about the alliance, its participating companies and membership information is available at www.dlna.org.