How Lightning Streaming works

Lightning Streaming is comprised of two fundamental components: Lightning OS and Lightning DS. Lightning OS serves as the core operating system and suite of applications (often referred to as 'firmware') that operate on the hardware of your streaming device. On the other hand, Lightning DS is a complimentary control application created by AURALiC, designed to allow users to navigate through their music library and manage their streaming device effortlessly. This application is exclusively available for iPad and iPhone users.

The versatility of Lightning OS is highlighted by its capability to handle multiple virtual input channels, seamlessly transitioning between them to suit the user's needs. These inputs vary across devices but typically include:

• OpenHome based audio streaming
• Internet Radio
• RoonReady Endpoint
• AirPlay 2
• TIDAL Connect
• Qobuz Connect
• Spotify Connect 
• Bluetooth

For utilizing OpenHome-based audio streaming and Internet Radio features, AURALiC's Lightning DS control software or another OpenHome-compatible software, such as BubbleUPnP, is required. For accessing the remaining virtual inputs, the streaming device functions as a receiver, necessitating the use of the respective third-party software interfaces.

OpenHome

OpenHome is a standard for audio streaming that provides a set of guidelines and specifications for creating interoperable audio streaming systems. It is not a standalone technology but rather a set of principles and conventions for designing streaming solutions, particularly focused on high-quality audio playback.

The OpenHome standard is often associated with the UPnP (Universal Plug and Play) architecture, but it is more specific in terms of audio streaming within this context. OpenHome-based streaming typically involves the following key components:

• Renderer (Player): This is the device responsible for playing back audio content. It adheres to the OpenHome standard, ensuring compatibility with other OpenHome devices and control points. In Lightning Streaming echo system, the player application is inside Lightning OS.
• Server (Media Server): Media server is responsible for hosting and serving media content. This can be any device that stores media files and is capable of running UPnP server software. Common examples include computers with media sharing software, network-attached storage (NAS) devices, and some modern routers with built-in media serving capabilities. The server catalogs the media it has available and shares this information with other devices on the network upon request. in Lightning Server echo system, you may use a compatible 3rd party media server, such as Minimserver, running on NAS drive, or use AURALiC Lightning Server. Lightning Server is a server application inside Lightning OS. Lightning Server may not available on some models.
• Control Point (Controller): The control point is the user interface or device that allows users to browse the media library on the media server, select audio content, and control playback on the audio streamer. The controller can be Lightning DS or a smartphone, tablet, or computer running OpenHome-compatible control software.

Please note that AURALiC's Lightning Streaming is not backward compatible with the legacy UPnP based streaming protocol or control software.