MHEG and CI Plus

MHEG and CI Plus

CI Plus is a new technical specification that adds additional security, copy protection and a browser to the proven DVB Common Interface Standard. It allows CI Plus-compatible consumer electronic devices, such as integrated digital televisions and set-top boxes, access to a wide range of pay-TV services via plug-in CI Plus modules wherever the CI Plus technology is supported by the local pay-TV provider.

CI was introduced to allow a CAM (conditional access module) to be connected to TV reception devices to facilitate secure pay-TV services over third party networks (the EU requires that all digital TVs over 14 inches include a CI slot). By making use of certificates and a certification authority, a trusted channel is formed between the CAM and television receiver, when scrambled content is being received. In the original CI standard, decrypted content could be sent over the PCMCIA interface unscrambled. CI Plus is a major technological step forwards and provides a higher level of security than DVB-CI with continuous encryption as well as an enhanced graphical user interface based on a subset of MHEG-5.

The development of CI Plus has been overseen by CI Plus LLP – formerly the CI Plus Forum. This consists of Panasonic, Philips, Samsung, Sony as well as SmarDTV and Neotion.

The benefits of CI Plus are many, both from receiver manufacturer – including iDTVs of course – and operator perspectives. The industry is beginning to see increased legislative pressure, particularly in the cable sector, for operators to open up their networks. For pay-TV service providers it will also allow reception on a greater number of devices and will enable better security support for HD content.

With the establishment of the CI Plus Trust Authority and an official security certification lab appointed^, progress has been swift this year. A range of manufacturers across the pay-TV spectrum have been certified and Dutch cable operator Ziggo has been announced as a customer for Irdeto. Canal+ and German operator KDG have also announced support for CI Plus with several other satellite, cable and terrestrial operators in Europe trialling the technology for inclusion in their HD rollout plans.

What is MHEG’s relationship with CI Plus?

As briefly mentioned above, as part of the CI Plus standard browser support has been included as part of the specification to facilitate applications using an enhanced graphical user interface. That GUI is based on a subset of MHEG-5. The benefits for MHEG as a technology is that where CI Plus goes, MHEG-5 (or essential parts thereof) will follow.

What are the benefits for operators and content providers?

CI Plus offers massively enhanced content security and therefore allows the further opening up of delivery networks – particularly cable – to third party content providers, either by choice or legal necessity. But the inclusion of MHEG opens up significant further possibilities too.

Standard TVs (if they include a CI Plus slot of course) can now support VOD services out-of-the-box without the need for a set-top box, resulting in obvious benefits for both operator and consumer.

Cable operators have the opportunity to generate valuable new revenue streams and offer a better customer experience with on-demand services, and hence reduce subscriber churn. They maintain full control over the applications offered and the look and feel of the user interface. Meanwhile, viewers gain full PVR functionality on the TV with no storage and no extra cost.

www.ci-plus.com