This article is for informational purposes only and no longer being updated by Seagate.

Digital Media Sharing and Home Entertainment


The Ethernet Disk mini’s Digital Media Server (DMS) component allows you to access and play your digital media – photos, videos and music – on a broad range of digital media players (DMPs) at home and on the road. At home, you could listen to digital music stored on the Ethernet Disk mini over your high end audio system in the den while simultaneously streaming video to your IP-enabled TV in the living room. Access home camcorder video, recorded TV or internet downloaded video podcasts stored on your Ethernet Disk mini on your Digital Video Recorder (DVR) or PC or DMP anywhere in the house. Your LaCie Ethernet Disk mini Home Edition is Digital Meida Player- (UPnP Audio Video) compatible. 


Digital Media Server (DMS)
    Ethernet Disk mini includes DMS support for several protocols, making digital media available to the broadest range of DMPs supporting a variety of industry standards.

      To enable a folder for sharing with DMPs:
       
      1. Locate the folder you want to share in FamilyLibrary or MyLibrary and select its check box.
      2. In the Media column, click on the TV icon to enable sharing. The icon appears in full color when sharing is activated.
      3. Any digital media players connected to network will detect playable media on the Ethernet Disk mini.
        Note : Please refer to you DMPs documentation for information on playback of shared content. DMS support varies by device, and the specific protocols supported are determined by the device manufacturer. Visit http://www.hipserv.com/support/digitalmedia/ for the latest on the protocols available and any optional upgrades that could be added to support your specific devices.


        Digital Media Players (DMP)
          Digital Media Players provide the ability to play back your media. Sometimes called a client/server model, all your media can be stored on your Ethernet Disk mini and that content can be enjoyed on any digital media player in the home. There are several examples of digital media players, and each type of player may provide different functions. Some DMPs are dedicated to music, others full audio/video. Several of the leading gamestations now offer DMP functionality. Some of the newest IP enabled TVs also provide integrated DMP capability. For interoperation, DMPs need to be compatible with the DMS in several areas: Networking Protocol, Device and Service Discovery and Controls, Media Format and Transport, Media Management, and any applicable Digital Rights Management (DRM) / content protection that the content creator may have applied.


          Digital Media Standards
            The Ethernet Disk mini supports a variety of digital media standards. The most common standard is UPnP / UPnPAV. Other standards include DLNA (Digital Living Network Association), iTunes, Windows Media Connect and many more. HipServ supports the broadest range of digital media players through standard and optional modules that can support specific DMPs. UPnP and UPnP-AV (Universal Plug and Play and UPnP – Audio Video) are the most commonly supported and most basic standard that is incorporated into the majority of devices.


            iTunes
              Apple has its own protocol known as iTunes. All HipServ’s include iTunes Server support. Computers and DMPs with iTunes support can enjoy their media that is stored on the HipServ. Selected protected content using Apple’s FairPlay DRM will need to adhere to the rules that the content creator has specified. HipServ complies to these requirements and will allow playback if those requirements are met. When UPnP sharing for a folder on your Ethernet Disk mini Home Edition is turned on, the device will appear in iTunes under Shared.


              Windows Media
                Microsoft’s protocol is known as Windows Media or Windows Media Connect. This protocol is supported on all windows PCs and the Microsoft Xbox360. Networked Xbox360 game stations can support full DMP functionality for music, photo and video playback with a direct connection to the HipServ, without the need for a PC nor MediaCenter PC.