DLNA Solves HTML5 Conformance Testing Challenge in TVs and Mobile Devices

News Highlights:

  • TV and mobile device manufacturers, as well as embedded browser vendors, can now test for HTML5 compliance using an embedded-specific test suite based on the W3C Test Suite.
  • DLNA’s Test Suite solves issues that previously made it difficult or impossible to ensure TV and mobile devices conform to HTML5 and DLNA’s HTML5 Guidelines.

PORTLAND, Ore., April 19, 2016 – The Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA®) has designed and deployed an HTML5 conformance suite for embedded devices based on the W3C’s “Test the Web Forward” (http://testthewebforward.org/) project.

As part of DLNA’s Certification Program, the new tool suite provides a comprehensive test solution for embedded browsers. These browsers could not previously use the W3C Test Suite, which was focused on desktop browsers or used in development environments.

Because TVs, set top boxes, and mobile devices are the products most likely to be certified to the DLNA HTML5 Guidelines, DLNA has made changes to allow use of the test suite on these device types. A number of issues have, until now, made it difficult or impossible to use the test suite on TV and mobile devices:

  • TVs typically do not have any form of mouse or touch input that the W3C version of the test suite depends on.
  • Mobile devices typically have smaller screens and cannot show all the content of the test suite, making it harder to use.
  • Typical tabbed or multi-window browsing is not supported.
  • These types of devices usually have no local storage for test results.

To remedy these issues, DLNA has added several features to the testing suite. The first is a simplified tool that uses adaptive web design to allow the UI to scale to different types of devices. This UI also features the ability to use only the keyboard, specifically only the direction keys and enter/select, so it is well suited to being used from a typical TV remote. The other main feature added by DLNA is the ability to push results to a server as the tests are being performed. This removes the need to have local storage in the device being tested and centralizes the collection of test results.

Any embedded HTML5 browser integrator can use the test suite to verify HTML5 conformance whether it supports DLNA or not. However, when combined with DLNA’s latest Golden Test Server (available exclusively to DLNA Members), the HTML5 Test Suite allows testing of production DLNA devices with no need for special configuration options on the device being tested.

For more information, please contact admin@dlna.org.

About DLNA

The Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA) is a technology standards organization driven to build industry consensus to advance the interoperability of products in consumers’ connected homes. Founded in 2003 with a current membership of more than 150 companies, this unique multi-industry collaboration continues to implement an innovative set of guidelines utilized by service providers, electronics manufacturers, and software developers to provide consistent performance in a connected home environment. Consumers can share and enjoy personal content on DLNA Certified devices and subscription TV content on VidiPath Certified devices, including mobile devices, PCs, set top boxes, AV receivers, game consoles, TVs and more, regardless of manufacturer. DLNA has also created a robust certification program which tests and verifies the interoperability of products built to its standards, ensuring consumers that devices branded with the DLNA Certified and VidiPath Certified marks will successfully connect and exchange content. Additional information about the Alliance is available at www.dlna.org. Find the Alliance on Facebook at www.facebook.com/dlnacertified or on Twitter @DLNA.

DLNA’s leading member companies include AwoX, Broadcom, CableLabs, Comcast, Dolby Laboratories, Intel, LG, Panasonic, Sony, Time Warner Cable and Verizon.

###