a schema that allows digital still cameras to connect to PCs, printers, and other devices. According to Microsoft, MTP provides enhanced device management and significant performance improvements that are useful in new classes of consumer multimedia devices.
Currently, large digital media files are typically transferred to and from PCs using mass storage class (MSC) drivers embedded in Windows operating systems. However, this method of transport does not provide the level of protection requested by content providers. In contrast, MTP will enable DRM (digital rights management) protected content to be securely transferred to a broad range of future mobile audio and video platforms, including MP3 players with video screens, digital still and video cameras, PDAs, and cell phones.
Of particular interest is "MTP over IP" (MTP/IP), which extends the technology to networked and wireless devices. MTP/IP is said to provide vastly improved support for transferring large quantities of data from a device, while also enabling faster thumbnail viewing on devices with high capacity storage media. MTP/IP also eliminates much of the complexity inherent in wireless connectivity for both professional photographers and amateur enthusiasts, Microsoft says. (Last week, Nikon announced its support for a similar initiative, called
"PTP over IP", or PTP/IP.)
MTP is a freely available specification available to all device vendors. Microsoft expects to see device makers use MTP to support the transfer of content across a broad spectrum of devices, including digital still cameras,
portable media players, and cell phones.
Related stories: 
