Digital still image handling devices such as digital still cameras, digital camcorders, scanners and set top boxes, are evolving rapidly. As a result, they have created new connectivity requirements for printers to provide output for these digital still image devices.
Such digital still image handling devices usually exchange image data via a host machine such as a PC. "Peer to Peer" connection is one of the advantages of IEEE1394 High Performance Serial Bus. This allows printers to be connected directly with digital image input devices to order to print without host PC machines. It is so called a Direct Print Application. The Direct Print Application should have the ability to enable users to use printers much more easily and will create a new digital still image culture and market.
Furthermore, a generic file transfer is also efficient. It enables image browsing, file browsing and other applications based on files.

This specification defines Direct Print Protocol (DPP) as a common data transfer protocol to realize the above applications. DPP defines three parts: two command sets and one data transfer protocol. Direct Print Command set (DPC) ensures output of one sheet of print regardless of the combination of image source devices and target devices. It also provides the capability to obtain better output according to the combinations and features of the devices.
File Transfer Command set (FTC) ensures the transfer of one file to the peer device. It also provides the capability to transfer files efficiently according to the combinations and features of the devices.