Networked Media Device Features (Windows Embedded CE 6.0)
1/5/2010
The following features enable you to create networked media devices (NMD) and set-top boxes (STB).
The features include NMD functionality, and STB functionality.
NMD Functionality
These items provide support for NMD functionality:
- A sample NMD application framework and UI.
- The Media Query Engine (MQE) for connecting to the Microsoft Windows Media Connect Media Server.
- Playback support for Digital Rights Management (DRM) content that is protected by Windows Media DRM 10.
- HTTP 1.1 streaming support (replaces the HTTP 1.0 support in Microsoft DirectShow).
You will need to customize the sample user interface to meet the needs of your targeted market.
Set-Top Box Functionality
These items provide support for set-top boxes:
- Digital video recorder (DVR).
- Native support for interlaced video playback.
- Native support for closed captioning.
- Support for real and synthesized surround sound for some hardware platforms.
These features extend the existing functionality of Windows Embedded CE DirectShow, and require DirectShow to function.
Processors
These features have been fully tested on the Intel 845 (x86) platform.
In addition, the core NMD components have been built for the following processors to confirm that there are no processor-specific dependencies:
- ARM
- SH4
- MIPS
Supported Standards
The NMD features support several public and private standards, which allow it to work with a broad range of devices.
UPnP
The Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) Forum is an industry initiative that publishes public standards, which allow connectivity among stand-alone devices and desktop computers.
he particular UPnP standards that address networked media devices are:
- MediaServer version 1.0
- MediaRenderer version 1.0
For more information about the UPnP Forum and the standards they promote, see this Web site.
The networked media device sample code described in this section is based on the Media Query Engine, which complies with UPnP standards. The sample code specifically supports Windows Media Connect to support Windows Media DRM 10 for networked media devices, but the MQE works with any UPnP media server. You can also modify the sample code to work with any UPnP media server.
Windows Media Connect
Windows Media Connect (WMC) is a UPnP media server that also allows users to access Windows Media DRM–protected content through a compatible networked media device. The MQE at the core of the NMD functionality is customized to take advantage of all functionalities of WMC. For more information about Windows Media Connect, see the Windows Media Connect Home Page at this Microsoft Web site.
MPEG-2
This NMD features have been tested against a MPEG-2 decoder, which takes Elementary Streams or Packetized Elementary Streams as input and then outputs MPEG-2 DVD–compliant Packet Streams. If you intend to use MPEG-2 in your product, you must obtain a similar decoder and a license to use MPEG-2 from MPEG LA. For more information about licensing, see this Web site.
Note
No decoder is included with Windows Embedded CE.
PlaysForSure
The NMD features provide components that you can use to create a device that may comply with PlaysForSure logo certification requirements.
Although the operating system components support logo compliance individually, your networked media device must complete its own PlaysForSure certification process. For more information about PlaysForSure certification, see the PlaysForSure Home Page at this Web site, or see the PlaysForSure FAQ at this Web site.
Windows Media DRM 10 for Networked Devices
The NMD features have been tested against (but does not include) Windows Media DRM 10 for Networked Devices, which allows networked media devices to access Windows Media DRM 10–protected content from Windows Media Connect.