Audio Video News

In the wake of Napster, movie studios are even more gun-shy about releasing new content without a digital chastity belt in place. Responding to calls for additional copy protection security from content owners and content providers concerned about the potential unlimited distribution of digital files over the Internet, Thomson multimedia says it is re-introducing its SmartRight system, which the company describes as a method of "robust content protection that could possibly operate as a secure layer to supplement less complete current approaches."

Thomson says that the SmartRight system, which uses a system of "smart cards" to ensure renewability in case of a hack, is designed to operate on its own, while its architecture also makes it feasible for SmartRight to work with other copy protection systems. The company adds that, as designed, the SmartRight system would be global in reach and could be used in digital video applications in the Americas, Europe, and Asia.

According to Thomson, with SmartRight, content is always kept scrambled in the consumer's Personal Home Network (PHN) until it is displayed or played on a presentation device. Descrambling is done by a removable security module, or "smart card," that is attached to the presentation device. The company says that this simple method provides end-to-end encryption security.

With the system, Thomson says, content owners can easily select options that allow consumers to "View Only," "Copy For My Personal Network," or "Freely Copy" encrypted content. "The SmartRight system will enforce these rules within the home network, and will also enable any business model implemented by Conditional Access or Digital Rights Management systems providers," says a company release. Copying material for a PHN is expected to allow a consumer the ability to share recorded content with other devices in the home, including portable devices, but restrict the redistribution of that content outside the consumer's own PHN of products.

Thomson's Jean-Charles Hourcade explains the reasoning behind re-introducing the approach, stating that "we do expect that consumers will want to do in their digital living room what they already do today in an analog environment. They'll want to record their favorite shows, time-shift, store copies for future viewing, and share that content with other devices in their own home. All of these functionalities will be part of the SmartRight system, as will technology preventing unauthorized redistribution of digital content.

"With the most recent meeting of the Copy Protection Working Group, Thomson multimedia has started meeting with interested players to gain supporters for the SmartRight concept. We view a SmartRight layer as the perfect complement to other systems that Thomson is also reviewing for potential support."