NMM goes CeBIT 2005
NMM goes CeBIT 2005
Multimedia without frontiers: Networked, mobile, cross-platform
Today, an increasing number of multimedia devices, such as TVs, hi-fi
systems, digital video recorders, but also mobile phones, provide
networking capabilities. However, current applications restrict
themselves to only perform simple data transfer or only work with
devices developed by specific manufacturers. In order to further
exploit the networking capabilities of these devices, researchers from
the Computer Graphics Lab at Saarland University have developed the
'Network-Integrated Multimedia Middleware (NMM)', which by now
supports arbitrary networking technologies and various operating
systems.
The new NMM software architecture allows to transparently connect all available distributed devices. Furthermore, control options are provided throughout the network. This results in completely new 'virtual' devices: For example, a commodity mobile phone can become a radio receiver or the same video recording can be displayed on three TV sets simultaneously. A ground-breaking and previously not available feature is the possibility to operate across different platforms. Arbitrary networking technologies and various operating systems are supported. The software runs on Windows, e.g. the PC at home, but also on different Linux and Unix systems, such as settop-boxes, mobile phones, or personal digital assistants (PDAs).
The potential of this software architecture will be demonstrated at CeBIT 2005 by showing a networked multimedia home-entertainment system. The overall system allows for the flexible integration and control of all available devices, for example for accessing the TV program at different places within a household. In addition, media playback can be handed over spontaneously between devices, e.g. from a mobile MP3 player to a hi-fi system in the living room. At the same time, several users are allowed to join already running presentations in order to enjoy the same content on different systems.
The developed NMM software is released under licenses that allow to use it within Open Source and research projects, but also within commercial products. Professional support will be provided by a specialized spin-off company.
The NMM architecture and the home-entertainment system will be demonstrated at the Saarland Research Parc at CeBIT 2005 in Hannover, Germany, from March 10th to 16th (hall 9, booth D09).
More information is available at http://www.networkmultimedia.org/
For further questions, please contact
Marco Lohse, Computer Graphics Lab, Saarland University, Germany, phone: +49 (0)681 302-3869, e-mail: mlohse@cs.uni-sb.de
Friederike Meyer zu Tittingdorf, Competence Center Informatics Saarland (CCIS), phone +49 (0)681 302-58099, e-mail: presse@cs.uni-sb.de
During the exhibition at CeBIT 2005, appointments can be made by phone +49 (0)511 89-697558 or fax +49 (0)511 89-597558
