Viaccess

The Personal Video Recorder and home networking market

Viewers have expressed an interest and need for the personal video recorder (PVR) ever since the disappearance of VHS VCRs. The proportion of stand alone digital video recorders (DVR) is decreasing as the number of PVR enabled set-top boxes (STB) grows.  According to strategy analytics, the installed base reached close to 49 million Digital Video Recorders worldwide end 2011. It has been driven by the spread of high definition (HD) content and by consumer demand for multi-room and anytime viewing.
TV operators risk missing out on new revenues and increased customer loyalty brought about by a further step towards time- and place-shifted viewing within the home. This move towards the PVR strengthens the pivotal role of the STB within the household.

The importance of the home network cannot be understated. It provides access to content stored in the STB and enables content to be delivered to multiple devices throughout the home. Easier home network setup and installation with connected devices will transform consumer behaviour during the coming years.
To make this a reality, TV operators need to meet the content owners’ stringent security requirements, hence the need to protect the premium content by controlling its use with the subscriber.

Viaccess value proposition

Viaccess’ security is integrated within the PVR STB and middleware environments to provide pay-TV operators with an end-to-end solution, irrespective of the TV network being used: satellite, terrestrial, cable DVB, IPTV or cable over IP.Viaccess protects content for the most popular consumer PVR usages: pausing of a live TV programme or VOD movie, recording a TV programme and watching it later, simultaneously watching a programme and recording another. Viaccess also protects HD recorded content, enabling consumers to enjoy viewing their favourite high quality movie whenever they want.Viaccess secures content stored in the PVR STB and content distributed to either Viaccess enabled devices or to digital transmission copy protection over internet protocol compliant storage terminals state of the art security is ensured by the PC5 card, the latest generation of its smart card, and by STB security features like a trusted chipset-based protection against control word sharing.In addition to technology, Viaccess offers a unique 360° security approach that keeps operators at the forefront of anti-piracy:

• Legal protection through the prosecution of pirates
• An open communication policy on technology security status
• A continuous monitoring of security risks
• Technical counter measuresEveryday, Viaccess provides its customers with a comprehensive range of support services covering assistance, maintenance, training and consultancy and 24/7 access to technical support or a dedicated account manager. It also offers preventive audits of the conditional access system.Viaccess’ commitment is to support its clients with their long term challenges and help them to effectively leverage new technological opportunities. With more than 85 pay TV operators, Viaccess has developed a deep knowledge of their needs and a solid expertise in protecting their premium content and resulting revenue streams.