Broadpeak launches CA-compliant streaming solution for pay-TV operators

Broadpeak Launches C-CAS Adaptive Streaming Solution for Pay-TV Operators; Integrated on Broadpeak BkS100 Servers, C-CAS Brings Adaptive Streaming to Legacy Set-Top Boxes

RENNES, France — Broadpeak, a leading provider of content delivery networks (CDN) and video-on-demand (VOD) servers for cable, IPTV, OTT, and hybrid TV operators worldwide, today launched C-CAS (Conditional Access System-Compliant Adaptive Streaming), a new technology that enables pay-TV operators to support adaptive streaming protocols while simultaneously remaining compliant with conditional access systems on subscribers’ existing set-top boxes (STBs). Utilizing the patented technology, operators can cost-effectively deliver high-quality multimedia services — including HD video — over any broadband network.

“With the availability of C-CAS technology, transitioning existing video services to adaptive streaming has never been more affordable for pay-TV operators,” said Jacques Le Mancq, CEO at Broadpeak. “Leveraging adaptive streaming technologies, C-CAS completely unifies the video user experience across next-generation and existing set-top boxes, with the end result being superior video quality for subscribers in a very short time frame and a minimum cost for operators.”

C-CAS addresses the massive challenges pay-TV operators face in cost-effectively delivering encrypted content via adaptive streaming protocols to their existing subscribers’ STBs, which rely on a conditional access system for content protection. Until now, an operator wanting to deliver adaptive streaming would be required to upgrade the firmware of each and every legacy STB with a digital rights management (DRM) system for content protection, a very risky and time-consuming undertaking given the large variety of STBs deployed and the limited CPU resources of each of them. C-CAS allows operators to capitalize on their investment in existing STBs by supporting adaptive streaming in conditional access system-based STBs.

The first application of C-CAS will be available on Broadpeak’s widely deployed BkS100 VOD servers. Contrary to standard adaptive streaming technologies where the player adapts to streaming conditions and to its own CPU capacity, BkS100 VOD servers automatically select the appropriate streaming quality based on available bandwidth, thereby maximizing efficiencies for pay-TV operators while delivering a superior Quality of Experience (QoE) for end users.

C-CAS is the ideal adaptive streaming technology for a wide range of pay-TV operators, including IPTV, satellite, terrestrial, or cable transitioning to full IP architectures. Utilizing C-CAS, DSL operators can significantly improve the quality of their video service offering while simultaneously increasing the number of subscribers able to access the VOD service or upgrading them to HD; satellite and terrestrial operators can deliver higher quality adaptive streaming VOD services including support for trick modes and immediate play, a major improvement over pure download user experiences.