Cebit 07: Video Watermarking Hunts Down Pirates

Thomson has introduced a method of watermarking broadcast video that will allow authorities to track pirated content back to its source. 

The NexGuard video watermarking solution can be used by set-top box (STB) manufacturers to mark video downloaded by a particular set-top box. It embeds unique identification information into the STB video stream being played, which includes the operator distributing the content and the serial number of the STB.

When pirated material is seized, it can be traced back to a particular set-top box and its owner. The technology has been integrated on the STx7100 family of system-on-chips (SoC), manufactured by STMicroelectronics and will be made available this summer to set-top box makers, conditional access system (CAS) vendors, and video-on-demand (VOD) operators.

Thomson said it is the only technology to work with standard and next generation compression codecs including, MPEG-2, MPEG-4 AVC (H.264) and VC-1.

“Content owners need more tools than ever to reap financial rewards from their premium products,” said Jean-Luc Moullet, VP of the Software & Technology Solutions business unit, part of Thomson's Technology division.

“STMicroelectronics' chip with the added NexGuard technology will provide studios and operators with a powerful deterrent against illicit redistribution.”

Monica de Virgiliis, general manager, home video division, STMicroelectronics, added: “Watermarking is now an essential partner to encryption and digital rights management in the battle against broadcast piracy. "

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