(San Ramon, California, USA May 15, 2001) HAVi Inc., a not-for-profit association of leading consumer electronics, software, semi conductor and computer manufacturers formed to promote a network architecture for Home Audio Video Interoperability today announced the completion and release of the HAVi v1.1 specification. This specification, which significantly enhances the HAVi 1.0 specification released in 2000, will be available May 15, 2001 as a download from www.havi.org From its inception HAVi has focused on a multi-brand architecture to manage home entertainment products and to provide for seamless interoperability among such products. Devices connected in a HAVi network can inter-operate, sharing each other’s resources and functionality across the network. HAVi features easy ‘plug-and-enjoy’ functionality and uses an underlying IEEE 1394 digital interface (i.LINKTM or FireWireTM). Besides the networking capability, HAVi now provides the world-class audio/video user interface. The HAVi specification v1.1 enhancements further define the behavior of applications in the network.
Enhancements made to the v1.1 specification include:
- Authentication providing protection for the consumer. The network will recognize signed applications allowing full functionality and those applications not signed will have limited functionality within the network.
- Level 2 GUI – Based on the requirements of DVB and ATSC, an extensive update was developed. This provides application developers a more advanced and controllable environment.
- Event model update to accurately specify all events including those from keyboards and remote controls.
- Improved clarity for application designers.
- Detailed descriptions for the level 2 user interface have been added.
“The HAVi specification has been finalized, enabling HAVi devices to be seamlessly interconnected, regardless of brand,” says Eddy Odijk, of Philips Consumer Electronics, Chairman of the HAVi, Inc.
Board of Directors.
Jon Fairhurst of Sharp Laboratories of America, Chairman of the HAVi Technical Steering Committee stated “ In addition, we are especially happy to be working closely with DVB and ATSC. This cooperation resulted in a common user interface between digital broadcast and home networking. This benefits consumers, broadcasters, manufacturers, and application developers. HAVI will continue its work by creating compliance documents related to version 1.1 of our specification.” According to Shiva Patibanda of VividLogic Corporation, Chairman of the HAVi Compliance and Guidelines Working Group, “Verifying compliance with the HAVi specification is critical to having a successful product launch for CE companies. A well-defined HAVi v1.1 compliance specification ensures interoperability of consumer devices and reduces time to market for manufacturers”.
Availability
Specification v1.1 will be available May 15, 2001 for download on the HAVi website: www.havi.org. HAVi, Inc. provides a forum for the further development of extensions to the HAVi specification through technical Working Groups, as well as programs for promotion and industry education.
Membership Information
Interested companies may join the HAVi, Inc. as a Participant member or a Non-Profit Participant member. Participants receive the latest information about the HAVi specification, and may join working groups and participate in other HAVi activities with an annual membership fee of US$ 10,000. Nonprofit members, such as universities or research institutes may join the Organization at a reduced annual fee of US$ 2,500.
Further information about HAVi can be obtained from the Organization’s website: www.havi.org. An evaluation version of the HAVi specification may also be downloaded from this address.
About HAVi, Inc.
HAVi began as a joint effort on the part of eight of the world’s leading consumer electronics manufacturers: Grundig AG, Hitachi Ltd., Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. (Panasonic), Royal Philips Electronics, Sharp Corporation, Sony Corporation, THOMSON multimedia and Toshiba Corporation, which worked together for over two years to develop a common specification for interoperability among networked digital home entertainment products. Since the formation of the HAVi organization in November 1999, membership has grown from these eight founding “Promoter” companies to a roster of over 50 corporations, Universities and research institutions spanning consumer electronics, semiconductors, software and services.
HAVi Incorporated, a non-profit association, is open to companies and non-profit institutions interested in extending the awareness, knowledge and understanding of the HAVi Specification. Further information about HAVi can be obtained from the organization’s web site www.havi.org. The HAVi specification (Version 1.1) can also be downloaded from this site.
For further information contact:
Europe:
Jeannet Harpe
(Royal Philips Electronics)
Tel: +31.40.27.35677
Fax: +31.40.27.32729
Email: Jeannet.Harpe@Philips.com
North America:
Bill Chase
(Global Inventures, Inc.)
Tel: +1.925.275.6655
Fax: +1.925.275.6691
Email: bchase@inventures.com
Asia:
Kazuko Suzuk
(Philips Japan, Ltd.)
Tel: +81.3.3740.5221
Fax: +81.3.3740.5011
Email: kazuko.suzuki@philips.com