DVB-CI Plus 1.4 Demo, IPTV without a set-top box, presented at IBC
The upcoming DVB-CI Plus 1.4 standard adds new features such as extensions to the CI Plus browser and the handling of multiple encrypted streams (multi stream). Other new features include the ability to route high-bandwidth IP streams through the Conditional Access Module (CAM), the ability for the CAM to control those IP streams, the new “Online Service Descriptor Table”(OSDT), and support for IP Multicast. These new features enable IPTV straight to the television set without the need for a set-top box.
The first DVB Common Interface (DVB-CI) specification was created in 1997. It describes the interface between a Conditional Access Module (CA
M) and the host, which is typically a TV set. All the conditional access functionality is provided by the CAM module whereas the host provides the necessary tuning functionally and presents audio and video. In the first DVB-CI version the content was transferred in the clear between the module and the host. This security loophole was resolved with the introduction of CI Plus in 2007. Being mandated by a European Directive, CI Plus slots are present in basically all TV sets sold in Europe.
DVB will continue to work on new versions of the CI Plus specification. In addition to new features and functionality, the current PCMCIA base physical form factor will be replaced by a more compact interface solution.
Demo
The demonstration uses a pre-standards implementation of a SmarDTV CI Plus 1.4 Conditional Access Module and a Philips television set, running an IPTV application developed by Accenture.
After an
IPTV customer inserts the CAM into an IP-connected TV set, an automatic discovery process starts to find the location and type of the available IPTV Channels, and to retrieve the operator’s virtual STB application. The application is launched and the first IPTV channel is displayed.
The user experience is indistinguishable from TV consumption from other sources. Users can flip through channels, use the IPTV Service Provider’s rich EPG to get detailed information about programs and choose from the IPTV channel list. Since the HTML application runs in an OIPF-specified browser environment, IPTV Service Providers can give their customers a rich user interface that integrates TV viewing and on-demand services from both broadcast and broadband sources using a single remote control.
Benefits
The system as demonstrated provides many benefits to the end-user as well as the IPTV operator:
Consumers who purchase thin wall-mounted TV sets no longer need to find a spot for a set-top box and juggle with cables. They will operate all their services on the TV with a single remote control, for an attractive experience that can integrate linear and on-demand services from broadcast and IPTV networks. The solution will also help consumers save on their electricity bill – a CAM switches off with the TV set and consumes less than 2.5 Watts while in operation, much less than a typical set-top box.
IPTV Service Providers can save on equipment handling and cost, and they can do so using a standards-based solution, which is very important to them. Providers can also offer their customers an attractive interface right on the TV set, as the solution employs a modern HTML-based browser environment that is built into most new TV sets. At the same time, providers can keep using their own Conditional Access system, as well as any other non-standards technology they employ; such technologies can be built into the CAM. Advanced features such as QoS monitoring or a proprietary fast channel change solution can also be implemented into the CAM. The solution can also reduce helpdesk calls to the provider, since installation is simple and there is no cable connection confusion for their customers.
Timing
DVB has recently finished the technical work on CI+ version 1.4 and approval for publication as a DVB BlueBook is imminent, after which the specification will be published as a formal standard by ETSI. The required OIPF specifications are expected for publication early 2014. It is expected that new television sets supporting the new specification will appear on the market in the 2015/2016 time frame.
The Proof of Concept was built in a project with the following DVB members and partners:
- Accenture Virtual STB Application Suite 13.MS34
- TP Vision Philips 47PFL TV with pre-standards DVB CI+ 1.4 firmware
- SmarDTV Pre-standards DVB CI+ 1.4 CAM Stand 1.C81
- TNO System design and project coordination
Operator partners and DVB members involved in developing this solution:
- British Telecom
- KPN
- Swisscom
- TDC
- Telekom Austria A1
If you want to know more about this exciting set-top boxless option go to www.dvb.org/standards/dvb-ci or attend the IPTV Seminar on 6/7 November, see http://www.iptvseminar.com .
