[mythtv] Mythbackend UPnP server?

[David Blain]

> From: mythtv-dev-bounces at mythtv.org [mailto:mythtv-dev-bounces at mythtv.org]
On Behalf Of Michael Tiller
> Sent: Thursday, January 19, 2006 1:03 PM
> To: Development of mythtv
> Subject: Re: [mythtv] Mythbackend UPnP server?
> 	
> 	
> Just out of curiosity...
> 	
> I don't really know much about UPnP but is it possible (or does it even
make 
> sense) to extend MythBackend to be a MediaRenderer.  Yes, I mean
MythBackend 
> not MythFrontend.  What I'm talking about here is the ability for the Myth
b
> ackend to capture content being streamed by a MediaServer. 
> 	
> This may seem odd, but let me explain where I'm coming from here.  I
noticed
> , for example, that Bill Maher is now featured in a "show" on Amazon.com
cal
> led "Amazon Fishbowl" (dumb name).  Anyway, if Amazon opened this up via
the
>  UPnP protocol (does that even make sense, like I said, I'm ignorant UPnP
in
>  general) could I set up myth to record it? 
> 	
> I guess what I'm wondering is, could UPnP be the protocol that, DRM issues
a
> side, unifies all the possible content sources out there (Google Video,
Amaz
> on.com, IPTV) so they are all addressable for the purposes of recording
from
> a DVR? 
> 	
> Just a question.
> 	
> --
> Mike

Mike,

UPnP wasn't designed to be an internet standard.  It is meant to be for
device/content discovery limited to a local network.  

The definition of a MediaRenderer as stated in the Device Template standards
document on upnp.org is:

"The MediaRenderer template defines a general-purpose device template that
can be used to instantiate any Consumer Electronic (CE) device that is
capable of rendering AV content from the home network. It exposes a set of
rendering controls in which a Control Point can control how the specified AV
content is rendered. This includes controlling various rendering features
such as brightness, contrast, volume, etc."

What you are asking the backend to do is really a function of the Content
Directory Service.  It has the ability to import or redirect content
requests.  Technically, it could be used to transfer content from one CDS
into it's local CDS store.  (BTW: The CDS implementation I am creating is
read only.  I am not allowing foreign content (not captured/maintained by
MythTv) to be added.)

Hope this clarifies some things for you,

David B.