SmarDTV, NAGRA and Samsung introduce CI Plus module with DRM

Monday, September 3rd, 2012
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SmarDTV, NAGRA and Samsung introduce the world’s first CI Plus module with DRM for enabling OTT services directly to connected TVs

  • For the first time pay-TV operators and service providers can deploy their over-the-top (OTT) video-on-demand (VOD) services directly to Samsung connected iDTVs using their chosen security system embedded in a CI Plus SmarCAM module.
  • Turnkey solution for OTT VOD based on standard CI Plus using NAGRA PRM, NAGRA’s software based, operator-controlled DRM for security and content protection, HbbTV applications with adaptive bitrate streaming for content delivery over IP networks.
  • The use of open standards for security and applications allows operators to customize their offerings in a homogenous manner for any connected TV.

CHESEAUX, Switzerland — SmarDTV and NAGRA, both Kudelski Group (SIX:KUD.S) companies and Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd (Seoul: 005930), today announced that they have successfully combined CI Plus and HbbTV with DRM to enable video-on-demand for over-the-top (OTT) networks directly to iDTVs without the use of a set-top box. The system integrates the popular NAGRA Gravity User Interface running in HbbTV on Samsung 2012 TV models allowing NAGRA PRM protected content be streamed over IP to the TV using adaptive bitrate streaming and then descrambled by the CI Plus SmarCAM module from SmarDTV. The solution is fully compliant with CI Plus v1.3 and uses open standard interfaces including the Open IPTV forum (OIPF) DRM interface.

“We believe that the addition of OTT IP based video-on-demand using DRM to our CI Plus SmarCAM portfolio is providing operators, service providers, and consumers with a real option for ensuring the security, renewability and interoperability of their OTT video services” said Conor Ryan, Vice President of Marketing at SmarDTV. “By adding DRM to the successful CI Plus specification we have the ideal solution for operators wishing to securely deploy VOD using IP networks. The use of a CAM for DRM allows the security provider to ensure maintenance and upgrades of the security system separately from the host device and provides an operator-controlled hardware based root of trust solution to the operator.”

“Using CI Plus modules to secure OTT services with DRM enhances the value to consumers of Samsung connected TV sets” commented John Adam, Head of Business Development and Industrial Affairs at Samsung Electronic Research Institute (UK). “It allows the DRM solution providers the ability to customize their solutions independently from the TV host and it provides operators greater reach to products in the consumer home through use of the CI Plus industry standard.”

Jean-Michel Puiatti Vice-President of Multiscreen at NAGRA said “The pay-TV industry requires that high security standards be maintained over long timescales, and premium content solutions require hardware root of trust to augment the security. The proposed CI Plus solution allows our customers to manage security with increased predictability in terms of maintenance costs and responsibility towards content providers. It adds a significant contribution to the range of secured open devices that NAGRA end-to-end multiscreen solution supports.”

SmarDTV, NAGRA and Samsung expect deployments of the solution could take place in 2013.

The technical implementation makes use of a combination of industry standard CI Plus V1.3 combined with elements of OIPF and HbbTV details of which can be made available to interested parties. The implementation is fully complimentary to ongoing work in DVB to develop DRM extensions to its v1.4 CI Plus Specification.

The OTT VOD SmarCAM-3 solution will be demonstrated at the IBC 2012 show in Amsterdam on SmarDTV and NAGRA booth 1.C81. The solution will use CI Plus v1.3 modules along with HbbTV v1.1 with interfacing between the application and the SmarCAM module provided using standard OIPF (Open IPTV forum) defined interfaces. Content protection will be provided by NAGRA PRM and delivery will be via adaptive bit-rate streaming. The integrated end-to-end solution is demonstrated on Samsung TV implementing these standards.