Overview
ISO/IEC 29341-14-3:2011 specifies the UPnP Audio/Video Device Control Protocol Level 3 for a MediaServer device. Aligned with the UPnP Device Architecture v1.0, this standard defines a general-purpose MediaServer that exposes AV content on a home network via the ContentDirectory service. The MediaServer may also support scheduled recording through the ScheduledRecording service. It is format- and protocol-agnostic: any media type, data format, or transfer protocol can be handled as long as the ContentDirectory and related services expose and negotiate access.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Device model and discovery
- Defines a MediaServer device type, its services and relationships.
- Operates within the UPnP discovery and description mechanisms to advertise content on the home network.
- Content exposure and metadata
- Content is exposed through the ContentDirectory service (see ContentDirectory service specification for details).
- Supports enumeration, query and search operations on available media.
- Transfer negotiation and control
- Clients and servers negotiate transfer protocols and data formats to enable content transfer.
- MediaServer supports content flow control (playback operations such as fast-forward, rewind, etc.).
- Recording and import
- MAY provide recording functionality via the ScheduledRecording service and can import/copy content from other devices.
- Protocol, data and representation rules
- Uses UPnP and XML Schema data types; boolean representations and escaping rules are specified.
- Formal syntax uses EBNF for certain constructs; CSV conventions and XML namespace/versioning rules are covered.
- Conformance language
- Requirement keywords follow RFC 2119 (MUST, SHOULD, MAY, etc.), establishing mandatory vs optional behaviors.
- Lightweight footprint
- The specification is intentionally lightweight so it can be implemented on low-resource devices as well as high-capacity Home MediaServers.
Practical applications
- Implementers building networked media devices that share AV content on a home network:
- Traditional CE devices (DVD players, set-top boxes, camcorders)
- Digital servers (MP3 servers, PVRs, PC-based Home MediaServers)
- System integrators and firmware engineers creating UPnP-compliant MediaServer products to ensure interoperability with UPnP AV clients.
- Manufacturers who want consistent exposure of heterogeneous media collections using a standardized ContentDirectory interface.
Related standards
- UPnP Device Architecture v1.0 (base UPnP framework)
- UPnP AV Architecture Framework (architectural context)
- ContentDirectory service specification (content listing, search, metadata)
- ScheduledRecording service specification (optional recording features)
Keywords: ISO/IEC 29341-14-3:2011, UPnP MediaServer, UPnP AV, ContentDirectory service, ScheduledRecording, media server device, home network, device discovery, transfer negotiation.