Updated: July 9, 2020 (August 24, 2009)

  Analyst Report

Appendix: Media Sharing Enhanced in Windows 7

My Atlas / Analyst Reports

1,206 wordsTime to read: 7 min
Michael Cherry by
Michael Cherry

Michael analyzed and wrote about Microsoft's operating systems, including the Windows client OS, as well as compliance and governance. Michael... more

Windows 7 PCs will play better with other digital media devices in a networked home, thanks to improved support for the Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA) standards and built-in support for non-Microsoft digital media formats. With these changes, Microsoft completes a strategic shift that began with Vista: instead of promoting the PC as the hub for home entertainment, it’s now positioning the PC as a participant among equals. OEMs should have an easier time selling Windows 7 PCs in this role, and consumer electronics manufacturers could benefit from Microsoft’s increased support of DLNA standards.

From Hub to Spoke

The term digital media is generally used to describe the following:

  • Audio from CDs, or audio files (such as MP3 files) stored on PCs, portable devices, or networked storage devices
  • Video from DVDs or other disc-based formats, live TV broadcasts, Internet streams, or video files (such as MPEG-2) from sources such as recorded TV programs, Internet downloads, or attached

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