DVB approves CI Plus v1.4, liaises with 3D@Home
November 28, 2011
At the 69th meeting of the DVB Steering Board, the Commercial Requirements for CI Plus v1.4 were approved thereby allowing the technical work on the specification to progress. These Commercial Requirements build on top of the current CI Plus v1.3 specification with two main features: support for dual-stream operation with a single module, intended for a dual-tuner PVR host, and support for DRM protected IP-delivered content. Other features include CI Plus browser extensions, additional URI (Uniform Resource Identifiers) signalling, and extensions and clarifications for module applications running on host middleware.
This move follows an agreement with CI Plus LLP that DVB will take responsibility for future development of the CI Plus specification. It is anticipated that the technical work will take a year. Following its publication CI Plus LLP will adopt the specification.
Commenting on the approval, Martin Gold, Chairman of DVB’s Commercial Module for CI Plus said “CI Plus Modules plugged into integrated digital televisions provide an attractive alternative to set-top boxes for both consumers and operators. The new functionality in V1.4 will help to ensure that the CI Plus system has the features required as the market evolves”.
CI Plus is a technical specification that adds additional security and features to the proven DVB Common Interface Standard that will allow CI Plus compatible consumer electronic devices, such as integrated digital televisions and set-top boxes, access to a wide range of Pay TV services via plug-in CI Plus Modules wherever the CI Plus technology is supported by the local Pay TV provider.
Meanwhile, a letter of agreement confirming a liaison between the 3D@Home Consortium and DVB was signed on November 4th, 2011. The purpose of the liaison between the two consortia is to encourage the development of standards for 3DTV, to share knowledge about 3D viewing, and to ensure that their work is complementary.
“3D@Home is an important organisation for 3DTV. They have many areas of interest, including the study of ‘human factors’ associated with 3DTV viewing that we are hoping to learn from. For our part, our work developing delivery specifications for 3DTV, will be helpful for 3D@home. Both organizations have things to share with each other,” commented David Wood, chair of DVB’s Commercial Module on 3DTV.
The 3D@Home Consortium was formed in 2008 with the mission to speed the commercialisation of 3D into homes worldwide and provide the best possible viewing experience by facilitating the development of standards, roadmaps and education for the entire 3D industry – from content, hardware and software providers to consumers.