Edgeware has integrated ContentArmor's bitstream-based forensic watermarking solution into its TV CDN technology. The functionality is intended to be deployed for IPTV and OTT services and will be demonstrated for the first time at IBC2017 in Amsterdam.
The new capability's forensic watermarking technology inserts information into the video bitstream in a way that makes it invisible to the viewer, but can withstand video transformations such as recompression and cropping. Every stream can have a different code embedded at the edge of the network without extra processing, resulting in each viewer having their own identifiable version of the content.
"Our integration with Edgeware's TV CDN architecture demonstrates the key advantages of bitstream watermarking in edge servers," said ContentArmor's VP of Sales and Marketing Eric Benetiere. "It allows content owners to put in place an anti-piracy measure that's more efficient than other options, as it doesn't require any additional versions of the show to be distributed through the CDN (content delivery network). It's harder to erase and means content owners can quickly identify specific sources of illegally shared programs."
"Content piracy existed long before TV and movies were available online. But selling pirated VHS tapes and DVDs on street corners was higher risk and cost more," said Edgeware CMO Richard Brandon. "Now it's relatively simple to re-stream live content as it's transmitting. This ease of access to illegal content is why it's so vital that watermarking solutions are integrated within delivery networks, especially if they're purposely built for delivering TV."
