HBO Protects Content With The Thomson Shield

Home Box Office (HBO) will implement a comprehensive Thomson Shield watermarking system from Thomson to protect its pre-released screener content against piracy within its file-based infrastructure.
This will be one of a number of phases to be developed. The agreement includes the technology as well as on-site commissioning, training, and an annual support contract.
The new deal follows a recent purchase by HBO of Grass Valley HD equipment including K2 Media servers, Trinix routers, and LDK 8000 WorldCam HD cameras from Thomson as part of HBO’s complete migration to HD production and playout.
"As HBO continues to distribute its content to multiple platforms beyond traditional television, the need for content protection has become critical to our future success," said Charles Cataldo, Senior Vice President, Studio and Broadcast Operations. "The Thomson Shield solution is flexible enough to allow us to develop unique business models that are secure, yet easily deliver content that is viewable by those who are rightfully authorized."
The 'Shield Forensic' technology to be installed will be used to synchronize and manage watermarking IDs across all of HBO’s global facilities. It will initially be installed at three sites, including the company’s main playout facility in Hauppauge, NY. The technology is designed to meet the challenges of distributing and protecting digital media across multiple platforms, as more and more content providers are moving to file-based distribution.
At each HBO location, the system being installed includes: a Forensic Manager (database server for each site synchronizing and managing each watermarking platform); DVD Marking Stations (with built-in DVD burner); Live HD-SDI Stations (for watermarking original content in real time to HD or SD tape distribution or duplication); Live SD-SDI Stations (for watermarking original content in real time to standard definition tape distribution or duplication); QC Reader Stations HD/SD (quality control workstations used to read and confirm the forensic ID information as needed); and an Investigator Platform (used for investigating and tracking pirated content).
The Shield Forensic solution is used to systematically watermark all distributed files and content. Programming can be marked, for example, with a copyright ID or recipient name ID. This allows the unauthorized use of content to be easily investigated and traced back to the point of origin.
The Thomson Shield Forensic solutions are based on NexGuard video watermarking technology, which consists of embedding a virtual and invisible barcode in the essence of the video. This operation can be done at any stage of the workflow, depending on the targeted application. This invisible label can then be read no matter what video editing or format changes may have occurred downstream. In this manner, any video sequence can be traced back to its source.
The forensic applications automatically check if the content has been reused, especially in multichannel systems like the one used at HBO where numerous copies of a specific movie or TV program are being distributed on a daily basis.
The system offers invisible and indelible labels with adaptive watermark strength, label data embedded in each frame prior to distributing the content and a unique identifier label. In addition, the watermarks are rewritable and the system can generate multiple watermarks simultaneously.
(SP)