How DLNA CVP-2 Will Give Homes Real Multiscreen Experience

Since the introduction of Pay-TV, service providers and content creators such as movie studio have struggled to maintain security of their content while at the same time trying to offer viewers the flexibility to access contents from anywhere.  The main solution has been to offer a propriety set-top box for each point of access – a box in every room.  That has worked for the past few years but the increase in mobile technology has thrown up another challenge; viewers want the option to access the same Pay-TV content on their mobile devices, thus removing or by passing the access control setup on each set-top box.

The new technologies offer service providers the opportunity to increase their revenue but at the same time the risk of losing control of their content.  Up until now this has remained an issue for the sector; mainly content for creators, has they stand to lose their content through illegal copying or unauthorised access.

On the other hand, subscription TV is big business with projected global revenue of US $229.6 billion within the next four years (according to ABI Reasearch), a solution is needed and fast.  Through the DLNA the industry think they have come up with a solution through with Commercial Video Profile-2 (CVP-2), an extension of the existing DLNA guidelines. The CVP-2 guidelines allow each party involve to achieve their own objective(s); overall, viewers get the flexibility and service providers stream secure content.

At the core of CVP-2 are technologies that will take subscription TV and TV in general to the next level of viewer experience.  CVP-2 is to leverage standard technologies such as HTML Remote User Interface (part of HTML5), HTTP adapted delivery and authentication to combine with current Digital Transmission Content Protection over Internet Protocol (DTCP-IP) Link Layer Protection. By enabling devices to support these technologies content creator can rest assured that their content is being delivered with security consistent with that used on the set-top box.

As part of CVP-2 core technologies HTML5 will have a far-reaching effect on television and the media industry in general. HTML5 makes it possible to develop user interfaces, applications and video services once that will run equally easily, consistently and securely on a number of devices such as smartTV, smartphone, set-top box and tablet devices, whether its Microsoft Windows, Google Android or Apple iOS.

Currently the service providers’ access networks require that each device interface directly with their network are not operable with other networks and devices, hence why we cannot use Virgin Media set-top box on a Sky network and otherwise. The DLNA CVP-2 specifications are designed to remove this issue by simplifying content sharing across CE devices on a local network. DLNA and CVP-2 ensure that metadata and the UI (User Interface) can be shared in a format understood by all DLNA compliant devices.

The DLNA said the CVP-2 guidelines will benefit us the consumer, CE Manufacturers and service providers:

• Service providers will be able to deliver protected content to multiple subscribers own devices with full quality of service, consistent user interface without needing to install any additional equipment.
• The viewer will have more choices on which device to view content within their home, without the need for additional service provider equipment. He/She will not need to download proprietary service provider applications. Viewing content on a mobile device built to the CVP-2 Guidelines will also offer higher-definition content quality when compared to OTT services.
• CE Manufacturer will have one standard when building devices that deliver access to service provider content.  It reduces the need to develop and maintain an application for each service provider. Manufacturers of other devices including PCs and game consoles will also benefit from the added value of offering CVP-2 functionality in their products.

Certification for the new CVP-2 guidelines will start in September of this year.