Securing UHD Content

If pay-TV is bringing high-value, proprietary sports content to 4K, is the threat of piracy far behind?

Rogers’ Communications’ recent announcement that it would offer a total of 100 baseball and hockey games in 4K next year, BT’s planned launch of a 4K sports channel and deployment of 4K STBs by forward-thinking operators such as Videotron all are signs of a growing recognition of the value of both the technology and the display enhancements enabled by its High Dynamic Range (HDR).

But as operators move the needle on content, what’s equally important is protecting that premium programming with stronger Conditional Access Systems (CAS).  While the 64-bit systems in use by most operators today is sufficient for current needs, better choices for securing higher-value 4K content -- now and in the future -- would be the 128-bit or 256-bit versions of the Advanced Encryption Standards (AES).

The coming availability of live sports can give pay-TV a competitive edge in countering early moves by Amazon, Netflix and over-the-top providers to leverage the growth of 4K.  You can read more here about the measures the industry can take to ensure that its investments in 4K production and delivery are protected as it brings that content to market.

Happy Halloween From Alticast!

From Left to Right- John Carlucci, Mark Johnson, Tho Autruong and SY Lee

Android in the Pay-TV Market

The growing footprint of Android in mobile devices has two implications for pay-TV operators:  the development of an enormous Android ecosystem that can create and support applications, as well as the increased availability of smartphone semiconductors.  In this video, John Carlucci, President and CTO of Alticast US, discusses how the pay-TV industry can expedite availability of advanced services by pulling Android technology, tools and applications into the television space.

Alticast on IoT

At last months IBC show, Alticast's Tiaan Schutte, President, EMEA, spoke with Advanced TV on the Smart Home and Internet of Things.  To watch the video, click here:

Cloud DVRs Are on the Rise

Telefónica, a telco IPTV operator in Spain, has nearly tripled its video subscriber total since December thanks to its cloud DVR rollout. Telefónica’s early success in Spain is a good indicator of what’s to come in North America when the benefits of cloud DVR services catch on.

A cloud-based DVR system offers a range of flexibility and accessibility that consumers can’t get through the traditional STB-based service. Consumers are able to schedule recordings from anywhere at any time, and then stream those recordings to mobile devices or computers without worrying about exceeding storage. They will also gain access to a variety of content libraries with a recommendation engine.

Because cable operators are able to remotely provide software updates to millions of homes through the cloud, consumers won’t have to deal with purchasing a new STB with more storage or even upgrading their current one. Alticast offers a cloud DVR solution that reduces maintenance of disk storage for operators while making it possible to add features and content as needed. It’s just a matter of time until the cloud DVR becomes the new standard, and Alticast has technology to keep up with the times.