Media-Sharing Technologies

Windows 7 has several critical technical advances over Windows Vista that enable new media-sharing features.

Expanded DLNA support. Founded in 2003 to ease the transfer of digital media between devices, the Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA) now has more than 200 contributing members, including nearly every major computer and consumer electronics manufacturer except Apple. Microsoft is among the 23 high-level “promoter” companies, along with major vendors in computing (such as Cisco, Hewlett-Packard, and Intel); communications (Broadcom, Comcast, and Ericsson); mobility (Ericsson, Motorola, and Nokia); and consumer electronics (JVC Kenwood, LG Panasonic, Philips, Samsung, Sony, and others). As of May 2009, the DLNA had certified more than 5,000 device models, including audio-video receivers, televisions, DVD and Blu-ray players, mobile phones, and Sony’s PS3 game console.

In the DLNA’s terminology, Windows Vista was able to serve as a digital media server, streaming digital media to some early DLNA-compatible devices. Windows 7 extends this support, allowing Windows 7 PCs to stream digital media to devices compatible with DLNA version 1.5 (which was codified in Mar. 2006). However, a Windows 7 PC can also function in the three other roles defined by the DLNA: as a player (which can play media stored on other servers), a controller (which can browse content on and control other servers), and a renderer (which can receive control actions and play content from other servers).