Macrovision Strengthens Connected Platform Solution with Support for DLNA 1.5 Guidelines

SANTA CLARA — It is getting faster and easier for consumer electronics (CE) manufacturers to create devices that can find, store and play digital media in the home. Macrovision® Solutions Corporation (NASDAQ: MVSN) today launched the latest version of its Connected Platform, a comprehensive solution for discovering, managing and enjoying digital media on a variety of connected CE devices. With this solution, CE manufacturers can enable full support for Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA) Interoperability Guidelines version 1.5, enabling them to easily implement the latest industry standards in consumer devices such as set-top boxes (STB) and digital televisions.

“By 2010, some 500 million devices will be connected to home networks worldwide and because of this, consumer expectations regarding features and functionality will increase dramatically,” said Colin Dixon, broadband media practice manager at industry analyst firm The Diffusion Group. “Device interoperability, in particular, will be a key demand from consumers wanting more for their CE dollars. A standards-based connectivity solution, like the Macrovision Connected Platform, will be instrumental in addressing this need.”

New features of the Connected Platform include the ability to securely transmit and playback high definition video over a home network with full DVD-style controls using the DLNA 1.5 link layer protection (LLP) standard. The solution also incorporates DTCP-IP 1.2 support to promote secure transmission of premium content throughout a single home network and a simple DLNA API that enables developers to quickly deploy DLNA-compliant digital media players. Specifically for STBs, the Connected Platform provides the key technologies for CableLabs tru2way™ Home Networking Protocol, as well as the European and Japanese TV broadcasting standards.

“The Macrovision Connected Platform builds on our company commitment to enable the digital entertainment experience where consumers can easily share and enjoy their digital media across many different devices throughout their homes,” said Steve Shannon, executive vice president, product management, Macrovision. “By providing ongoing open standards for certification and innovation, Macrovision is fueling the interoperability of millions of DLNA-, UPnP- and DTCP-IP-certified devices and leading the efforts in the development of a fully integrated digital living room.”

The Macrovision Connected Platform consists of a source code software development kit (SDK), player and server software applications and a customizable, easy-to-navigate user interface. Operating system- and chip-agnostic, the solution allows CE device manufacturers to select which components and feature add-ons they want, while benefiting from the ability to develop a first-rate consumer electronic device.

Additional capabilities of the Connected Platform solution include easy integration with third-party applications, such as media recognition and content management tools and support for multiple codecs. The Connected Platform is available as a full turn-key solution or as individual components, including the UI framework, and has been ported to a variety of common chipsets.