Technical
Overview
This page provides an overview of the current direction of the Connected Media Experience draft specifications.
The purpose of the Connected Media Experience standard is to ensure compatibility between compliant devices and content, and between different functional components of the system architecture, such as client devices and service providers. The architecture is designed so that there are no global centralized components. Instead, the architecture can be federated, and compliant implementations can coexist and interoperate. Where possible, the standard uses existing and free technology.
There are four main components of the Connected Media Experience architecture:
A Connected Media Experience service provider acts as the hub for the online components and validates the proof-of-purchase, if necessary. Service providers can be specified on a release-by-release basis.
It is expected that Connected Media Experience products will be made available in a variety of ways, including through normal digital retail outlets.
Connected Media Experience packages are rendered by client software or hardware. The client periodically checks for package updates, and upon user request, obtains them by communicating with the Connected Media Experience service provider.
I) The Package
The Connected Media Experience package is a zipped collection of files, including media assets (e.g., MP3 files), a manifest that includes metadata and describes the assets, an optional proof of purchase, and a description of one or more user interfaces.
Baseline Asset Formats
To ensure compatibility, the Connected Media Experience standard mandates that all assets be available in widely compatible formats to make certain that the baseline experience is available on all devices labeled as being compatible with the Connected Media Experience standard. Though not final, the baseline formats might include
This page provides an overview of the current direction of the Connected Media Experience draft specifications.
The purpose of the Connected Media Experience standard is to ensure compatibility between compliant devices and content, and between different functional components of the system architecture, such as client devices and service providers. The architecture is designed so that there are no global centralized components. Instead, the architecture can be federated, and compliant implementations can coexist and interoperate. Where possible, the standard uses existing and free technology.
There are four main components of the Connected Media Experience architecture:
- the package
- the service provider
- the retailer or point of distribution and
- the
client software/hardware
A Connected Media Experience service provider acts as the hub for the online components and validates the proof-of-purchase, if necessary. Service providers can be specified on a release-by-release basis.
It is expected that Connected Media Experience products will be made available in a variety of ways, including through normal digital retail outlets.
Connected Media Experience packages are rendered by client software or hardware. The client periodically checks for package updates, and upon user request, obtains them by communicating with the Connected Media Experience service provider.
I) The Package
The Connected Media Experience package is a zipped collection of files, including media assets (e.g., MP3 files), a manifest that includes metadata and describes the assets, an optional proof of purchase, and a description of one or more user interfaces.
Baseline Asset Formats
To ensure compatibility, the Connected Media Experience standard mandates that all assets be available in widely compatible formats to make certain that the baseline experience is available on all devices labeled as being compatible with the Connected Media Experience standard. Though not final, the baseline formats might include
Payload
Required
Codec/Language/Format
Audio
MP3
Image
JPEG
Video
MPEG-4
Text
HTML
External Feeds
REST, RSS, Atom
Proof of
Purchase
Connected Media Experience functionality such as access to certain online content and services can be limited to packages with a valid digital proof of purchase.
The proof of purchase is generated and inserted into the CME package by digital retailers and/or their content delivery networks (CDNs) prior to download.
Manifest
The manifest is an XML document incorporated into the package that describes the primary media assets (e.g. audio tracks, videos) contained within a release. XML was chosen for flexibility and expandability.
User Interface
The user interface of a package is described through a combination of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. The user interface can adjust based on the platform screen size and capabilities. A package can make use of other technologies (e.g., Flash or Silverlight) if the client supports them.
II) The Retailer / Distributor
Connected Media Experience products can be merchandised and sold alongside conventional digital products. Retailers and other distributors will typically provide the user with the entire CME package, containing the primary media assets (e.g. audio tracks), the user interface, and the digital proof-of-purchase. The service provider (described below) ensures that all the appropriate on-line assets are available.
III) The Client
The Connected Media Experience client is responsible for displaying packages. Since the package can be updated by the content owner at any time, the client is responsible for periodically checking with the service provider for updates. If the user ops into an update, the client will download and install it. The client also provides services to the package, such as facilitating transfer of the proof-of-purchase to the service provider so the user can obtain access to certain on-line content, if applicable. Clients are also able to check package integrity through a digital signature.
IV) The Service Provider
The Connected Media Experience service provider is responsible for coordinating access to online assets and data, communicating package updates to clients, and verifying proof-of-purchases, if required. Online content may be available for download or streaming. Some of it may originate from the service, or the service may simply serve as an aggregation point and reference online content hosted elsewhere on the Internet. Content updates may consist of new assets (e.g., a new video or audio remix) or data feeds.
Connected Media Experience functionality such as access to certain online content and services can be limited to packages with a valid digital proof of purchase.
The proof of purchase is generated and inserted into the CME package by digital retailers and/or their content delivery networks (CDNs) prior to download.
Manifest
The manifest is an XML document incorporated into the package that describes the primary media assets (e.g. audio tracks, videos) contained within a release. XML was chosen for flexibility and expandability.
User Interface
The user interface of a package is described through a combination of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. The user interface can adjust based on the platform screen size and capabilities. A package can make use of other technologies (e.g., Flash or Silverlight) if the client supports them.
II) The Retailer / Distributor
Connected Media Experience products can be merchandised and sold alongside conventional digital products. Retailers and other distributors will typically provide the user with the entire CME package, containing the primary media assets (e.g. audio tracks), the user interface, and the digital proof-of-purchase. The service provider (described below) ensures that all the appropriate on-line assets are available.
III) The Client
The Connected Media Experience client is responsible for displaying packages. Since the package can be updated by the content owner at any time, the client is responsible for periodically checking with the service provider for updates. If the user ops into an update, the client will download and install it. The client also provides services to the package, such as facilitating transfer of the proof-of-purchase to the service provider so the user can obtain access to certain on-line content, if applicable. Clients are also able to check package integrity through a digital signature.
IV) The Service Provider
The Connected Media Experience service provider is responsible for coordinating access to online assets and data, communicating package updates to clients, and verifying proof-of-purchases, if required. Online content may be available for download or streaming. Some of it may originate from the service, or the service may simply serve as an aggregation point and reference online content hosted elsewhere on the Internet. Content updates may consist of new assets (e.g., a new video or audio remix) or data feeds.