Irdeto Secures Africa Debut of High Definition Personal Video Recorder

Friday, September 12th, 2008
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MultiChoice launches DStv HD PVR and showcases 2008 Olympics in HD

AMSTERDAM, The Netherlands — IBC 2008 — Irdeto (JSE: NPN), a leading expert in content and business model protection solutions and services, today confirmed its collaboration with MultiChoice (JSE: NPN) in launching its DStv High Definition Personal Video Recorder (PVR). The Irdeto DVB Conditional Access System (CAS) used by MultiChoice ensures that all content stored on the PVR hard drive is encrypted using a unique key stored on the Irdeto smart card, unlike other solutions that use fixed encryption keys. This ensures that the most stringent requirements of premium content providers are met, allowing the operator to get access to the latest Hollywood films and the most exciting live sporting events. In addition, the HD PVR is protected by Irdeto’s Secure Chipset technology, which protects the valuable HD transmissions from the latest piracy threats.

The launch of MultiChoice’s high definition (HD) personal video recorder (PVR) in Southern Africa brings premium movies, sporting events and popular series in full HD quality for the first time. It is the continuation of a long tradition of innovative service offerings by the premiere African pay TV company and its key solutions partner, Irdeto. In 2005, Irdeto provided the CAS system for the standard definition (SD) PVR, which is now used by more than 300,000 subscribers. The DStv HD PVR is based on the Pace TDS850IMC set-top box, featuring a hard drive sufficient to record up to 50 hours of HD content or 150 hours of standard definition (SD) content – and quad-tuners for the ultimate HD PVR experience. One tuner will enable users to view a channel with full PVR functionality, while two tuners are dedicated to program recording, the fourth tuner is dedicated to the electronic program guide (EPG) and other data download, enabling full program information to be accessed even when all three other tuners are being used. This fourth tuner is also capable of delivering HD and SD push-VOD content to the consumer. The DStv HD PVR incorporates OpenTV’s Core 2.0 middleware and PVR 2.0 software, together with content security from Irdeto.

“Our ongoing collaboration with innovative customers like MultiChoice ensures a continuous flow of new products and business models like PVR that are vital to any operator’s efforts to win new customers and keep existing ones,” said Graham Kill, CEO of Irdeto. “The 2008 Beijing Olympics were an ideal platform to introduce DStv subscribers to the benefits of HD television, and we look forward to working with MultiChoice to introduce more advanced services in the future.”

“Irdeto is a reliable and flexible partner in the development of encryption services for our decoders. Their technology and expertise has contributed to MultiChoice being able to deliver cutting edge technology enabling us to constantly improve our customers viewing experience,” said Nolo Letele, CEO of MultiChoice South Africa Group.

Please visit Irdeto (Hall 1, Booth D51) at IBC 2008 in Amsterdam, the Netherlands for live demonstrations of our solutions.