Specifications

Windows Embedded Automotive 7 Deep Dive: Phone Core and Media Core 60
Each metadata parser is a COM object associated with a registered file name extension and a
registered class identifier (CLSID). On startup, the mass storage class MSC plug-in reads the
registry and generates a list of known file name extensions. When an MSD or a direct mass
storage device (DMSD) source plug-in reads a file, the plug-in creates a metadata parser on
demand. Playlist parsers work in much the same way.
Supported Technologies
Media Core supports common media technologies and is responsible for actual media playback,
metadata indexing, hardware event handling (for example, power and speech), and maintaining
a “now-playing” list with history and shuffling ability. Supported technologies include:
• Zune: Windows Embedded Automotive 7 offers a software add-on package that lets a
device fully interact with all the available Zune devices for audio content playback
through a USB connection. Zune support includes full support for all digital rights
management (DRM)-protected content that is purchased through the Zune Marketplace
or obtained through the Zune Pass subscription service.
• iPod/iPhone: Older generation iPod models are supported through two-wire style
connections using USB Serial. Newer generation models that support a one-wire
connection using USB HID with Apple authentication hardware are also supported.
Playback of all audio content, even from the iPhone and iPod Touch (including content
that is protected by the FairPlay DRM mechanisms) is supported. Browsing and playback
of video from Apple devices is also supported, but requires an OEM to acquire the Apple
authentication hardware directly from Apple.
• Mass storage file allocation table (FAT) and FAT32 file systems: Media Core lets a user
bring digital audio that is not DRM protected into the vehicle on MSDs, such as USB
storage devices and SD cards.
• MTP-based devices: MTP refers to the communication protocol used to communicate
with a variety of media players over the USB connection. Automotive 7 supports MTP-
based devices from companies such as Sansa, Creative, and iRiver (including the DRM-
protected content on those devices) with a software add-on pack.
• Local storage: Media Core supports playback of digital audio and video stored on the
platform’s local storage device, which is typically flash memory.
• CD-ROM: Media Core supports Red Book audio (standard uncompressed format) and
can transfer music to the Windows Media Audio (WMA) format. It also supports data CD
compressed audio, CD-ROM file system (CDFS), and user-defined File System (UDFS).
Media Core provides an API that enables ripping CD content that lets users play back
ripped content while ripping is in progress. Ripped CD content is stored on fixed, local
storage and is accessible as an MSC source. Media Core natively supports CDTEXT
metadata and offers a plug-in to support other metadata sources accessed through a
look-up API. A WMA encoder is provided in the platform and features encoding speeds
of about 1.8x. Developers can replace this native encoder by adding a new encoder
DirectX Media Object DMO.