The traditional TV model, including the ritual of gathering around the living room TV, is increasingly a thing of the past as the worldwide adoption of video-capable consumer electronic (CE) devices has enabled TV consumption anywhere, on any screen and at any time. Although this innovation is exciting for consumers, it has forced operators to rethink their strategies, posing increased challenges when designing user interfaces (UIs) and securing media sharing experiences.
In reaction to these challenges, the DLNA has developed the new Commercial Video Profile (CVP-2) guidelines, which aim to help operators meet the latest security requirements for the delivery of premium content Pay-TV, VOD and catch-up services. Before multimedia sharing can emerge, operators must provide a system that natively includes three key multiscreen technologies that are vital when responding to customer expectation and providing a reliable, assured service. These technologies include the deployment of HTML5 for portability and meeting the content industry’s security needs through CVP-2 with the integration of DTCP-IP Link Layer Protection.
The first of these technologies is a response to the demand for single UIs across devices, which can be solved through deploying HTML5. HTML5 allows operators to develop “write once, play anywhere” content applications across a range of browsers and platforms. Through native integration, HTML5 enables the repurposing of single codebases, resulting in reduced development costs and the provision of a unique UI for every device.
Meeting the content industry’s security concerns is a critical enabler for multiscreen media sharing experiences. The CVP-2 guidelines will be published in 2014 and provide the additional layers required to deliver secure content to the end user. This new standard enables secure playback across multiple devices whilst strengthening protection for copyright owners and content providers. By leveraging standardised technologies such as HTML Remote User Interfaces (RUI), HTTP adapted delivery and authentication to combine with current DTCP-IP Link Layer Protection; operators are able to provide ‘studio confident’ security and a more efficient articulation between the home network and connected devices. Traditionally, access networks have been preferred to the home network for the distribution of valuable content. However, access networks require each device to interface directly with the network and aren’t operable with other networks and devices. The DLNA specifications are designed to remove this issue by simplifying content sharing across CE devices on a local network. DLNA and CVP-2 ensure that metadata and the UI can be shared in a format understood by all DLNA devices, so that operators can simplify the distribution and monetization of content by leveraging standardised applications and devices.
I believe that implementing the standard is just one part of the game. The development of an API security layer is the final technology component, and is vital to the success of multiscreen media sharing. The API layer integrates with existing CA, DRM and Cloud systems, enabling operators to deliver the most advanced security framework for the end user. While DRM offers models to increase content distribution and usage, it’s also crucial in the prevention of illegal content distribution. DRM extends device reach and limits operational costs to improve the process of content rights acquisition, efficiently enabling operators to meet the security requirements that are compulsory in providing multiscreen access and premium quality.
The three key elements (Security, a consistent UI and seamless integration with existing systems) are all standards-based and naturally interface with already available components while providing ‘studio confident’ secure solutions for operators to deliver multiscreen on a variety of devices. By doing so, CVP-2 will increase revenue for operators while providing customers with continued access to great quality multiscreen on multiple devices.
