The UPnP Forum announced the release of version 2 of the UPnP Audio Video specifications (UPnP AV v2), which enable the next progression of the AV-oriented home network. The UPnP AV specifications use the UPnP Device Architecture specifications -- the core interoperability technology for all UPnP enabled devices -- allowing different companies to build home network products that automatically locate and identify each other without any end-user configuration.

The new UPnP AV v2 specifications help extend the home owner's entertainment experiences by letting them identify and record programs and other digital content for later viewing. These new specifications also simplify playback of premium digital content without interfering with the underlying DRM (digital rights management) technology used to protect the premium content. The UPnP AV v2 specifications are fully backward compatible with the UPnP AV v1 specifications.

These new entertainment experiences are created by adding capabilities to the UPnP AV MediaServer and MediaRenderer device classes that allow a higher level of interoperability between MediaServers and MediaRenderers from different manufacturers. MediaServer devices include DVD players, VCRs, PCs, personal video recorders (PVRs), CD players, MP3 players, satellite and cable set-top boxes, TVs, etc. MediaRenderer devices include televisions, PCs, digital media adapters, stereo systems, and personal music players.