Irdeto, MStar, SMIT, TP Vision and Rabbit Labs support CI Plus 2.0 USB form factor

Irdeto, MStar, SMIT, TP Vision and Rabbit Labs partner to support CI Plus 2.0 standard with game-changing USB form factor

AMSTERDAM — IBC 2017 — Irdeto, the world leader in digital platform security, today announced a partnership with MStar Semiconductor, Inc., a semiconductor company for display and digital home solutions, and SMIT Holdings Limited, a global supplier of Conditional Access Module (CAM) devices, to offer a CI Plus 2.0 USB CAM with Irdeto Cloaked CA to operators globally. TV manufacturer TP Vision and DVB-CI test tool and software provider, Rabbit Labs are also supporting the partnership, which will allow consumers to receive pay TV services on their TVs by leveraging USB-based CAMs.

CAMs have grown popular in Europe as, based on the PC Card (PCMCIA) form factor, they are a cost-effective way to provide consumers access to pay TV without a set-top box. The CI Plus 2.0 standard introduces a new USB form factor for the interface between the CAM and the TV, allowing CI Plus 2.0 to be leveraged globally, as opposed to mainly in Europe. Unlike the older form factor, USB CAMs are expected to be supported by the majority of TVs worldwide over the coming years. USB ports are available on most TVs, making it much easier for TV manufacturers to support CI Plus 2.0 globally.

The CI Plus 2.0 USB capability will offer operators the ability to reach subscribers cost effectively by adding support for pay TV services with a simple USB dongle plugged into TVs. The partnership also enables operators to comply with required security standards for premium content.

With such clear benefits for the ecosystem, TV manufacturer, TP Vision has committed to support this initiative to help deliver the advantages CI Plus 2.0 will bring to the market. At the same time, Rabbit Labs has announced that CAMaLot, its Host and CICAM stack, and Thumper integrated test suite are now supporting CI+ 2.0 USB transport layer to support device manufacturers in the deploying and testing of CI+ 2.0.

A demonstration of CI+ 2.0, including a USB CAM device will be available at the SMIT Corporation stand at IBC, Hall 1, Stand F86. Rabbit Labs will also demonstrate a test tool for both host and CAM based DVB CI+ 2.0 over USB, at IBC, Hall 3, Stand A44.

“This partnership supports the step forward for the CI Plus standard,” said Aaron Li, VP of SMiT. “As a world leading CAM provider with outstanding competence in developing secure solutions, we are looking forward to delivering this new USB capability for content delivery to operators around the world.”

“We’re excited to be able to support the industry by ensuring advancement of a key standard that will undoubtedly gain global traction over time. With the support of CI Plus 2.0 in our TV chips, adoption will be easier for our TV manufacturer partners,” added Wayne Tsai, Marketing Director, MStar.

“The CI Plus 2.0 standard is an important industry advancement and the deployment of our Cloaked CA technology in this USB CAM will provide operators with another channel to securely deliver premium content to consumers,” said Steeve Huin, Vice President of Strategic Partnerships, Irdeto. “This partnership is a big leap forward for the industry as it will enable operators all around the world to leverage a trusted and proven standard-based technology that was until now mostly limited to Europe. This announcement shows that the entire ecosystem is coming together, from suppliers of CAMs and semiconductors, to software providers and TV manufacturers, to drive this CI Plus standard to reality on a global scale.”

“We’re committed to providing consumers easy access to premium content though our TVs, and the CI Plus standard plays a key role in that,” said Elie Bonte, Innovation Lead, TP Vision. “The adoption of the USB form factor is a significant step forward for CI Plus. Not only does it make it easier for manufacturers and operators to provide access to premium content, it provides consumers with a familiar, user-friendly form factor.”

“We are really thrilled to see DVB-CI+ moving onto the USB interface,” said Gilles Gautier, CEO, Rabbit Labs. “Use of the ubiquitous USB interface will allow operators to shift to a more cost-efficient and integrated experience blending dongles compatible with a large range of receivers.”