SCM Microsystems Accelerates PC/TV Convergence
With Interoperability Breakthrough
- OpenCable Receiver Transforms PC into Interactive Set-Top Box,
Booth T548, NAB2000, Las Vegas, NV, April 9-12, 2000 -
LOS GATOS, Calif., April 10 /PRNewswire/ -- SCM Microsystems, Inc.
(Nasdaq: SCMM, Neuer Markt: SMY), a leading provider of solutions that open
the Digital World, announces that its open standards-based broadband PC
receiver has successfully completed a series of CableLabs(R)-sponsored
interoperability trials with major conditional access providers for the
digital cable television market. SCM`s OpenCable(TM)-compliant PC receiver is
being developed with Microsoft and will enable consumers to use their PCs to
access premium services offered by cable operators. When connected to the
cable receiver, the PC will act as a powerful digital television set-top box
to enable interactive viewing, gaming and e-commerce.
OpenCable aims to create a retail market for digital TV receivers in the
U.S. and provide consumers with extended choice for digital cable television
equipment and services. Under the OpenCable initiative, the algorithms to
descramble different cable operators` encrypted signals are consolidated into
interchangeable security modules that can be used by any retail set-top box.
In recent tests hosted by CableLabs, SCM`s open standards-based cable receiver
was able to descramble multiple encrypted signals, transmitted over multiple
cable headends. This is a significant breakthrough for the digital cable
television market in the U.S., where proprietary set tops with embedded
encryption systems have been dominant.
"SCM Microsystems has been great to work with in achieving this major
milestone," said Dave Fester, general manager of marketing in the Digital
Media Division at Microsoft Corp. "Microsoft views this emerging convergence
space as a great opportunity, and we are pleased to work closely with SCM to
enable PC architecture-based devices to support living room scenarios for
receiving cable television and other value-added services."
Participating in the recent interoperability trials were the world`s
leading conditional access providers, including Mindport/Irdeto,
Motorola/General Instrument, Nagra, NDS and Scientific Atlanta. Headend
suppliers included Divicom, Motorola/ General Instrument and Scientific
Atlanta.
With a 1394 "FireWire" interface to the PC, the OpenCable receiver
supports copy-protected MPEG 2 transmissions for high definition television
viewing. Combined with the interactive and processing power of the PC, this
will enable a host of new, high bandwidth applications, and allow the PC
architecture to act as the heart of a home network and entertainment system.
"The availability of an OpenCable receiver for the large installed base of
PCs will provide significant benefits to both cable operators and PC users,"
said Luc Vantalon, Vice President of Worldwide Business Development for
Digital TV at SCM. "This creates the possibility for interactive services
that use the processing power and rich Internet functionality of the PC,
allowing cable operators to combine premium TV content with a broadband
Internet connection."
The OpenCable(TM) Broadband PC receiver will be demonstrated at SCM
Microsystems` booth T548, as the key to a complete PC-based home entertainment
system.
For further information, or to arrange an interview / demonstration,
please contact Andy Oliver on 619 702 5571, email andyo@lewispr.com. For
sales information, please call SCM Microsystems at 408 370 4888 or visit
www.scmmicro.com. For product photography, please contact Darby Dye at
408 364 8402 or ddye@scmmicro.com.
Technical Information
The OpenCable PC receiver is implemented as a Device Bay module, providing
a sealed box that interfaces with any digital cable network. The receiver
module easily fits into a standard racking system, providing an easy way for
consumers to add functionality to the PC. An OpenCable point of deployment
(POD) module fits into the receiver, providing conditional access
authentication and descrambling.
The receiver tunes to the channel, demodulates the signal, handles all of
the conditional access functionality, then outputs the requested
copy-protected MPEG stream over 1394 to the PC.
This, together with other PC infrastructure pieces, helps prevent
high-resolution movies and other copyright-protected content from being
illegally distributed or copied once delivered to the PC. Beta receivers are
anticipated to be available in mid-2000 to coincide with the OpenCable
rollout.
About SCM Microsystems
SCM Microsystems is a leading supplier of solutions that open the Digital
World by enabling people to conveniently access secure digital content and
services. The company operates in four primary markets -- Digital TV,
Broadband Access, PC/Network Security and Digital Media Transfer. SCM`s
advanced silicon solutions, hardware and software enable secure exchange of
electronic information for applications such as e-commerce and broadband
content delivery by providing controlled access points to platforms such as
PCs, Internet music players, and digital television set-top boxes. Global
head quarters are in Los Gatos, Calif., with European headquarters in
Pfaffenhofen, Germany. For additional information, visit the SCM Microsystems
Web site at www.scmmicro.com.
CableLabs is registered trademark and OpenCable is a trademark Cable
Television Laboratories, Inc.
SOURCE SCM Microsystems, Inc.
-0- 04/10/2000
/CONTACT: Corporate: Darby Dye, Director Press Relations of SCM
Microsystems, Inc., 408-364-8402, ddye@scmmicro.com; or Media: Andy Oliver of
LEWIS P.R. Inc., 619-7020-5571, andyo@lewispr.com, for SCM Microsystems, Inc./
/Web site: www.nab.org/
/Web site: www.scmmicro.com/
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