Overview
IEC 62546:2009 - High definition (HD) recording link guidelines - specifies the communication protocol between a TV receiver (RCV) and a digital video recorder (REC) when connected through a digital interface. Intended as a guideline for in‑home HD recording, the standard defines device roles, interaction models and the service/profile requirements needed to reliably transfer compressed HD content for recording while respecting content protection and conditional access models.
Key topics
- Scope and device model: Maps receiver and recorder roles to the DLNA device model (RCV = receiver, REC = recorder) and describes system usage for upload/record interactions.
- Use cases: Covers impulse recording (WYSIWYR), scheduled recording, pause TV and archiving; the standard explicitly addresses impulse and scheduled recording (scheduled recording without reservation of recorder storage).
- Device discovery & control: Uses UPnP/DLNA style discovery and SOAP/XML service descriptions for invoking actions such as selecting a record destination and initiating uploads.
- Media management & transport: Defines requirements for upload operations, selection of record destination, container identification and actions to manage media transfer of compressed HD streams.
- Media format & profiles: Provides guidance on supported media formats and profiles to ensure interoperability between diverse receivers and recorders.
- Content protection: Addresses content protection considerations and assumes CA (conditional access) functionality resides in the receiver; supports protected content workflows.
- Terminology & extension points: Introduces HDLNK (HD recording LiNK) elements, XML vendor extension mechanisms and event/moderation semantics to support implementation flexibility.
Applications
IEC 62546 is practical for:
- Consumer electronics engineers designing PVRs, BD‑recorders, set‑top boxes (STBs) and integrated receivers that need an interoperable recording link.
- Firmware and software developers implementing UPnP/DLNA services for receiver‑to‑recorder communication.
- Product architects ensuring compatibility with HDMI display setups while using a dedicated digital recording interface for compressed streams.
- System integrators and service providers managing in‑home recording workflows for Pay‑TV and broadcast HD content where content protection and CA systems apply.
Related standards
- IEC 62481‑1 / IEC 62481‑2 (DLNA interoperability and media formats) - foundational device model and format guidance.
- ETSI TR 101 211 - DVB Service Information (useful for program selection / EPG integration).
Keywords: IEC 62546, HD recording link, HDLNK, DLNA, UPnP, HDMI, content protection, receiver to recorder protocol, PVR interoperability.