Audio Video News

The Digital Entertainment Content Ecosystem--a group of studios, cable companies, and other partners--has set the standard for a Common File Format that will allow a/v software consumers the convenience of "buy once, play anywhere."

Three versions of a movie would be encoded, for portable, standard-def, and high-def applications. They would be protected by one of five approved forms of DRM. Then, thanks to the wonders of cloud computing, they could be accessed from a Digital Rights Locker by download or streaming via any DECE approved device.

DECE's 48 members include most of the major studios and cable operators. Dolby and DTS are on board, so there's hope that some of the distribution options will include surround. Also present for the creation are streaming devices and services and TV makers including Samsung, Sony, and Toshiba.

Disney has been mulling over its own Keychest approach, but the DECE standard is more likely to find wide support.

See news item and press release at eHome Upgrade. The press release is also available as a PDF on the otherwise scanty official DECE site.