UPnP Forum releases v2 specs

The UPnP Forum has rolled out version two of its UPnP specifications, which promises to make it easier for users to network various devices together, while at the same time keeping companies happy by ensuring that all the content flying around remains protected by DRM. Some of the biggest additions to the v2 specs come in the UPnP AV MediaServer and MediaRenderer device classes, which encompass everything from PCs, DVD players, and PVRs to televisions, stereo systems, and portable media players. The Forum's mostly talking in generalities in their announcement, but it looks like among other things, the new specs define how programs and other digital content is recorded and stored for later viewing. You'll also be pleased to know that the new specs are also fully backwards compatible with the v1 specifications, so your gear's not obsolete just yet -- well it is, but not because of this upgrade.

[Via eHomeUpgrade]

[jp @ Jul 13th 2006 10:28PM]

There's an inherent problem with UPnP in that there is no way of easily knowing what it is that's making changes behind your back. Just think - anything on your network can basically reconfigure your router, opening ports etc. They should formulate a way for the router to communicate back with the devices so that only trusted apps are allowed to open ports. I'm sure there's been many a spam relay trojan happy to use UPnP to open mail ports on routers! Yep, it's static forwarding for me.

[Textbook Case @ Jul 14th 2006 4:53AM]

I am a little surprised they even use 'PnP' in their name anymore given the reputation of the function historically.

[Curt @ Jul 14th 2006 10:15PM]

A solution in search of a problem? Last time I checked, computers had more security risks and potential problems than say... connecting a stereo to a set of speakers.