Towards a zero CAPEX STB multiscreen world?

In a closed environment such as the home network, an important role of the set-top-box (STBs) is to ensure that content is fully secure. However, the rise of streaming over IP and the increased number of services available to consumers means that a growing number of consumers access content over open networks like the Internet.

While operators would like to stop shipping millions of STBs to reduce costs, ensuring that security is maintained throughout the media sharing process without it is a challenge. Each device has its own Conditional Access (CA) and Digital Rights Management (DRM) systems that are seldom interoperable. In addition, consumers expect to be able to access content from any source on any platform, increasing the level of complexity for operators. In a STB free world, can operators simultaneously ensure a high quality consumer experience and the security levels required by the studios?

Increased access to content needs to go hand in hand with improved security to ensure that third parties can’t watch and stream content illegally, with operators needing to ensure that video is only shared with those that have the correct entitlements. With increased consumer demand for content availability out of home and remote access to services, we strongly believe that video consumption will become hybrid, combining the power of the cloud and local control via the home gateway. This means that STBs, gateways and smart TVs that support both a cloud and a local architecture will play a crucial role as the primary gateway in the home.

Solutions that can support both architectures enable operators to start moving toward zero CAPEX STB strategies, by allowing consumers to access content without requiring additional hardware. By providing a readily available solution to viewers who use their mobile devices, game consoles and laptops as a gateway to access content, operators can extend their reach beyond traditional PayTV. ACCESS has developed solutions based on open standards such as the DLNA® VidiPath™ that provide operators with a path to Zero Capex STB. In addition to facilitating media sharing, ACCESS offers operators the level of control they require to satisfy the studios’ stringent security requirements.

To learn more about ACCESS’ solutions, join us at IBC (11-16 September, Amsterdam RAI) on stand #14.D14. Key on stand demonstrations include:

  • ACCESS Twine™ – the multimedia management solution that enables operators to connect consumers regardless of the devices plugged into the multiscreen service, and to aggregate large amounts of data. IBC demonstrations will allow operators to understand how support for diverse Conditional Access (CA) and Digital Rights Management (DRM) systems alongside flexible UI technologies provides a robust multiscreen security solution. New at IBC are enhanced data mining functionality and remote access to personal content inside the home, in addition to the virtual multiscreen content library functionality originally showcased at CES 2015.
  • NetFront™ Browser family – demos include support for Android tablet and smartphones, major silicon vendor reference platforms and HbbTV 2.0, Freeview Play and YouTube on TV.
  • NetFront™ Living Connect – the DLNA media sharing Technology Component™ has been extended to support the DLNA VidiPath™ guidelines on the latest chipsets, allowing next-generation devices to support secure media sharing in the home.

To request a meeting with ACCESS at IBC please use the following link: http://eu.access-company.com/access-ibc-2015-meeting-request.html

Published by Robert Guest

Robert is VP Product and Content at ACCESS Europe, with a focus on HTML5 platforms and media sharing solutions, including industry specific extensions such as HbbTV and W3C Vehicle APIs, so that ACCESS customers can deploy standards based state of the art products. He has been involved in projects with major customers in both automotive and TV and ensures a customer focused development strategy for ACCESS. His role involves working with telcos, middleware suppliers, STB OEMS, automotive tier 1s and automotive OEMS to ensure that ACCESS products deliver the features needed in these fast evolving markets.

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