Digital TV Labs appointed official test facility for CI Plus compliance

LONDON, UK — Digital TV Labs, which provides independent, specialised conformance products and services for DVB-based markets, has won the contract as the world’s first approved test centre for the newly-agreed CI Plus (Common Interface Plus) Specification.

CI Plus is an extension to DVB Common Interface, the technology introduced to allow a CAM (conditional access module) to be connected to TV reception devices to facilitate secure pay-TV services over third party networks. CI Plus is a major technological step forwards and provides a higher level of security than DVB-CI with continuous encryption as well as an enhanced graphical user interface based on the CI Plus browser.

Keith Potter, CEO, Digital TV Labs, explains, “The benefits of CI Plus are many, both from receiver manufacturer – including iDTVs of course – and operator perspectives. The industry is beginning to see increased legislative pressure, particularly in the cable sector, for operators to open up their networks. For pay-TV service providers it will also allow reception on a greater number of devices and will enable better security support for HD content.”

Digital TV Labs has been appointed by CI Plus LLP – formerly the CI Plus Forum – as the world’s first test centre. It will provide compliance testing of both receivers and CAM modules allowing manufacturers a cost-effective and timely route to market and prevent potentially damaging compliance failures.

CI Plus LLP operates the CI Plus Trust Authority and, with the assistance of its appointed agents, operates the technology licensing, testing and certificate procurement regimes required to allow market deployment of CI Plus.

“Our Bristol, UK, test facility, which is highly regarded across the DVB industry for its compliance work, is now open for CI Plus testing business. We are very honoured to have been chosen as the first test centre anywhere in the world to provide these services,” says Potter.