VOD Heats Up Encryption Technology

Increasing interest in video-on-demand and subscription-VOD deployments by
cable operators, along with movie-studio plans to deliver movies over the
Internet, is spurring attention to various parts of the encryption process.

Motorola Inc. and Widevine Technologies Inc. introduced new encryption
products at the International Broadcasting Conference in Amsterdam,
Netherlands.

Motorola Broadband Communications Sector introduced 'PreEncryption,' a
product that encrypts video content before it's streamed out from servers.
Motorola said its PreEncryption software will save operators money and headend
rack space by encrypting content pre-broadcast.

Widevine demonstrated its 'encryption on the fly' VOD software with
Macrovision Corp.'s 'Video DRM Ecosystyme,' Stellar One Corp.'s software engine
and a Fujitsu Siemens Computers set-top box.

Widevine said its software can encrypt MPEG-1, MPEG-2 and MPEG-4 (Moving
Picture Expert Group) audio and video from any source across RealNetworks Inc.'s
'RealPlayer,' Microsoft Corp.'s 'Windows Media Player' and Apple Computer Inc.'s
'QuickTime' streaming formats.