RVU Alliance
Encyclopedia
The RVU Alliance is a standards body created to manage the RVU protocol
standard as used by manufacturers of consumer electronics
to allow entertainment devices within the home to share their content with each other across a home network
.
, a communications protocol, built substantially upon the pre-existing Digital Living Network Alliance
(DLNA) standards. The RVU protocol
is intended to solve the problems inherent in viewing live or recorded digital media
remotely across a Home network
. For example, an RVU
compliant TV will be able to view music, photos & video from an RVU
compliant media server
. The RVU protocol
specifically can deal with the passing of broadcast video coming from a Multichannel video programming distributor
through a residential gateway
or dedicated media server
to other consumer electronic devices in the home. The RVU protocol
includes a pixel-accurate Remote User Interface (RUI) technology that allows the media server
to fully control the client user experience.
RVU Server devices will be provided by television content providers such as satellite, cable and telco broadcasters. Client devices such as televisions, Blu Ray players and PCs need only be compliant with the requirements of the RVU Protocol to work with an RVU server.
, Cisco Systems
, DIRECTV
, Samsung Electronics
and Verizon.
As of June 2011, there are:
The RVUA is run by a board of directors consisting of the RVUA President and representatives from all five founding members:
The board of directors oversees the activity of the following Working Groups:
specification V1.0 is currently ratified by the board and available to members for implementation.
Any product with a network interface (e.g. MoCA
, Ethernet
, WiFi
or otherwise) can become an RVU-connected device by installing RVU compatible software.
The specification is in large part dependent on the DLNA specification.
The specification uses DTCP/IP as "link protection" for copyright-protected commercial content between one device and another.
Certification will involve Conformance Testing and Interoperability Testing of RVU-compatible devices.
Once certified, a product is granted a license to use the RVU logo.
RVU protocol
The RVU protocol is an Application Layer protocol, that combines the pre-existing Digital Living Network Alliance standards and a new Remote User Interface protocol, which works similar to Remote Desktop Protocol...
standard as used by manufacturers of consumer electronics
Consumer electronics
Consumer electronics are electronic equipment intended for everyday use, most often in entertainment, communications and office productivity. Radio broadcasting in the early 20th century brought the first major consumer product, the broadcast receiver...
to allow entertainment devices within the home to share their content with each other across a home network
Home network
A home network or home area network is a residential local area network . It is used for communication between digital devices typically deployed in the home, usually a small number of personal computers and accessories, such as printers and mobile computing devices...
.
Overview
The RVU Alliance exists to further the adoption and acceptance of the RVU protocolRVU protocol
The RVU protocol is an Application Layer protocol, that combines the pre-existing Digital Living Network Alliance standards and a new Remote User Interface protocol, which works similar to Remote Desktop Protocol...
, a communications protocol, built substantially upon the pre-existing Digital Living Network Alliance
Digital Living Network Alliance
The Digital Living Network Alliance is a non-profit collaborative trade organization established by Sony in June 2003, and has more than 250 member companies in the mobile, consumer electronics, PC, and service provider industries...
(DLNA) standards. The RVU protocol
RVU protocol
The RVU protocol is an Application Layer protocol, that combines the pre-existing Digital Living Network Alliance standards and a new Remote User Interface protocol, which works similar to Remote Desktop Protocol...
is intended to solve the problems inherent in viewing live or recorded digital media
Digital media
Digital media is a form of electronic media where data is stored in digital form. It can refer to the technical aspect of storage and transmission Digital media is a form of electronic media where data is stored in digital (as opposed to analog) form. It can refer to the technical aspect of...
remotely across a Home network
Home network
A home network or home area network is a residential local area network . It is used for communication between digital devices typically deployed in the home, usually a small number of personal computers and accessories, such as printers and mobile computing devices...
. For example, an RVU
RVU
RVU may refer to:* Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine* RVU Alliance* RVU protocol* Relative Value Units in healthcare management systems, specifically Medicare* Radio Volks Universiteit, now merged into Omroep NTR...
compliant TV will be able to view music, photos & video from an RVU
RVU
RVU may refer to:* Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine* RVU Alliance* RVU protocol* Relative Value Units in healthcare management systems, specifically Medicare* Radio Volks Universiteit, now merged into Omroep NTR...
compliant media server
Media Server
A media server refers either to a dedicated computer appliance or to a specialized application software, ranging from an enterprise class machine providing video on demand, to, more commonly, a small personal computer or NAS for the home, dedicated for storing various digital media .-Purpose:By...
. The RVU protocol
RVU protocol
The RVU protocol is an Application Layer protocol, that combines the pre-existing Digital Living Network Alliance standards and a new Remote User Interface protocol, which works similar to Remote Desktop Protocol...
specifically can deal with the passing of broadcast video coming from a Multichannel video programming distributor
Multichannel Video Programming Distributor
A multichannel video programming distributor is a service provider delivering video programming services, usually for a subscription fee...
through a residential gateway
Residential gateway
A residential gateway is a home networking device, used as a gateway to connect devices in the home to the Internet or other WAN.It is an umbrella term, used to cover multi-function networking computer appliances used in homes, which may combine a DSL or cable modem, a firewall, a consumer-grade...
or dedicated media server
Media Server
A media server refers either to a dedicated computer appliance or to a specialized application software, ranging from an enterprise class machine providing video on demand, to, more commonly, a small personal computer or NAS for the home, dedicated for storing various digital media .-Purpose:By...
to other consumer electronic devices in the home. The RVU protocol
RVU protocol
The RVU protocol is an Application Layer protocol, that combines the pre-existing Digital Living Network Alliance standards and a new Remote User Interface protocol, which works similar to Remote Desktop Protocol...
includes a pixel-accurate Remote User Interface (RUI) technology that allows the media server
Media Server
A media server refers either to a dedicated computer appliance or to a specialized application software, ranging from an enterprise class machine providing video on demand, to, more commonly, a small personal computer or NAS for the home, dedicated for storing various digital media .-Purpose:By...
to fully control the client user experience.
Remote User Interface
The RUI concepts makes use of a server device which implements all content bitmaps and graphics functions for a number of remote client devices. In this way a server can be used to generate a user guide experience specific to a TV service providers “look and feel”, and send that experience to a client device. The client can then display this graphics data without the need for any proprietary software from that service provider. RVU technology enables a compliant client device to offer user interface interactions such as guide, trick play, and interactive applications all without the presence of a dedicated set-top box.RVU Server devices will be provided by television content providers such as satellite, cable and telco broadcasters. Client devices such as televisions, Blu Ray players and PCs need only be compliant with the requirements of the RVU Protocol to work with an RVU server.
Aims
The published aims of the RVU Alliance are to expand the use of the RVU Protocol to enable users to:- Receive the same experience at every TV through the same look and feel
- Provide access to high-definition programming from any TV in the home
- Record and playback high-definition programming from any TV in the home
- Access to personal media content (e.g., videos and photos) from any TV in the home
- Interact with weather, enhanced sports, and other interactive applications from any TV in the home
- Access content available on more devices (including personal media players and PCs)
Participating companies
There are 5 founding members: BroadcomBroadcom
Broadcom Corporation is a fabless semiconductor company in the wireless and broadband communication business. The company is headquartered in Irvine, California, USA. Broadcom was founded by a professor-student pair Henry Samueli and Henry T. Nicholas III from the University of California, Los...
, Cisco Systems
Cisco Systems
Cisco Systems, Inc. is an American multinational corporation headquartered in San Jose, California, United States, that designs and sells consumer electronics, networking, voice, and communications technology and services. Cisco has more than 70,000 employees and annual revenue of US$...
, DIRECTV
DirecTV
DirecTV is an American direct broadcast satellite service provider and broadcaster based in El Segundo, California. Its satellite service, launched on June 17, 1994, transmits digital satellite television and audio to households in the United States, Latin America, and the Anglophone Caribbean. ...
, Samsung Electronics
Samsung Electronics
Samsung Electronics is a South Korean multinational electronics and information technology company headquartered in Samsung Town, Seoul...
and Verizon.
As of June 2011, there are:
- 16 promoter members:
- Cortina SystemsCortina SystemsCortina Systems, Inc. is a supplier of integrated circuits for broadband communications founded in 2001. It is based in California.- History :...
, Entropic Communications, HuaweiHuaweiHuawei is a Chinese multinational networking and telecommunications equipment and services company headquartered in Shenzhen, Guangdong, China...
, HumaxHumaxHumax is an electronics company. Founded in South Korea in 1989, it manufactures set-top boxes, digital video recorders and other consumer electronics. It is publicly traded on KOSDAQ....
, JetHead Development, LG ElectronicsLG ElectronicsLG Electronics is a global electronics and telecommunications company headquartered in Yeouido, Seoul, South Korea. The company operates its business through five divisions: mobile communications, home entertainment, home appliance, air conditioning and business solution...
, Morega Systems, MotorolaMotorolaMotorola, Inc. was an American multinational telecommunications company based in Schaumburg, Illinois, which was eventually divided into two independent public companies, Motorola Mobility and Motorola Solutions on January 4, 2011, after losing $4.3 billion from 2007 to 2009...
, PacePacePace may refer to:*Pace , the speed at which movement occurs*Pace , a unit of length*"Peace" in Italian, sometimes written on a rainbow flag...
, Sigma DesignsSigma DesignsSigma Designs is an American public corporation that designs and builds high-performance system-on-a-chip semiconductor technologies for Internet-based set-top boxes, DVD players/recorders, high-definition televisions, media processors, digital media adapters, portable media players and home...
, SKY, Solekai Systems, STMicroelectronicsSTMicroelectronicsSTMicroelectronics is an Italian-French electronics and semiconductor manufacturer headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland.While STMicroelectronics corporate headquarters and the headquarters for EMEA region are based in Geneva, the holding company, STMicroelectronics N.V. is registered in Amsterdam,...
, TechnicolorTechnicolorTechnicolor is a color motion picture process invented in 1916 and improved over several decades.It was the second major process, after Britain's Kinemacolor, and the most widely used color process in Hollywood from 1922 to 1952...
, Trident MicrosystemsTrident MicrosystemsTrident Microsystems is a supplier of display-processors for flat panel displays . At one time, Trident was also a supplier of PC graphics chipsets and sound controllers.- History :...
and ViXS SystemsViXS SystemsViXS Systems is a global fabless semiconductor company based in Toronto, Canada that was founded in 2001. The company enables advanced video processing technologies for Consumer Electronic and Personal Computer platforms.-Product Developments:...
.- 15 contributor members:
- Allegro Software, Beechwoods Software, Echostar Technologies, Marvell InternationalMarvell Technology GroupMarvell is an American producer of storage, communications and consumer semiconductor products.Founded in 1995, Marvell Technology Group Ltd. has operations worldwide and approximately 5,700 employees. Marvell’s U.S. operating subsidiary is based in Santa Clara, California and Marvell has...
, MediaTekMediaTekMediaTek Inc. is a fabless semiconductor company, designing and selling components for wireless communication, optical storage, GPS, high-definition digital TV and DVD products. The company was founded on May 28, 1997...
, MStar SemiconductorMStar SemiconductorMStar Semiconductor, Inc. is a fabless semiconductor company specializing in mixed-mode integrated circuit technologies, based in Hsinchu Hsien, Taiwan. MStar makes stuff for multimedia and wireless communications, in the form of display ICs and mixed-mode ASIC/IPs, in addition to chip sets for...
, NDS GroupNDS GroupNDS Group Plc. is a developer of pay TV technology. NDS was established in 1988 as an Israeli start up company. It was acquired by News Corporation in 1992. The company is currently headquartered in Staines, United Kingdom...
, Red Embedded Consulting, Sony Corporation, Sybas Technology (Popbox), UNH-IOLUniversity of New Hampshire InterOperability LaboratoryThe University of New Hampshire InterOperability Laboratory provides independent, broad-based interoperability and standards conformance testing for data, telecommunications and storage networking products and technologies...
, Universal Electronics Inc., Wistron NeWeb CorporationWistron CorporationWistron Corporation is a major original design manufacturer in Taiwan. It was the manufacturing arm of Acer Inc., which was spun off in 2000....
, Zinwell Corporation and Zoran Corporation.
The RVUA is run by a board of directors consisting of the RVUA President and representatives from all five founding members:
The board of directors oversees the activity of the following Working Groups:
- Certification Working Group (CWG), overseeing the certification program and its evolutions.
- Marketing Working Group (MWG), actively promoting RVUA worldwide.
- Technical Working Group (TWG), writing the RVUA technical guidelines and evolving the RVU protocolRVU protocolThe RVU protocol is an Application Layer protocol, that combines the pre-existing Digital Living Network Alliance standards and a new Remote User Interface protocol, which works similar to Remote Desktop Protocol...
specification.
Specification
The RVU protocolRVU protocol
The RVU protocol is an Application Layer protocol, that combines the pre-existing Digital Living Network Alliance standards and a new Remote User Interface protocol, which works similar to Remote Desktop Protocol...
specification V1.0 is currently ratified by the board and available to members for implementation.
Any product with a network interface (e.g. MoCA
MOCA
-Museums:* Museum of Chinese in America, a museum in New York City which exhibits Chinese American history* Museum of Contemporary Art , any of several museums with this title...
, Ethernet
Ethernet
Ethernet is a family of computer networking technologies for local area networks commercially introduced in 1980. Standardized in IEEE 802.3, Ethernet has largely replaced competing wired LAN technologies....
, WiFi
WIFI
WIFI is a radio station broadcasting a brokered format. Licensed to Florence, New Jersey, USA, the station is currently operated by Florence Broadcasting Partners, LLC.This station was previously owned by Real Life Broadcasting...
or otherwise) can become an RVU-connected device by installing RVU compatible software.
The specification is in large part dependent on the DLNA specification.
The specification uses DTCP/IP as "link protection" for copyright-protected commercial content between one device and another.
Certification
The RVUA certification program went live in June 2011.Certification will involve Conformance Testing and Interoperability Testing of RVU-compatible devices.
Once certified, a product is granted a license to use the RVU logo.