Verimatrix, developer of the most widely deployed IPTV content protection system with tier one operators, announced that its patent-pending VideoMark user-specific forensic watermarking technology has been integrated with Broadcom's set-top box (STB) reference design platform, the BCM97398.

Using this platform, Verimatrix has integrated its Verimatrix Content Authority System (VCAS) VideoMark watermarking technology with Broadcom's BCM7038 and BCM7411 dual-chip High-Definition AVC/VC-1/MPEG2 set-top box System-on-Chip solution. Featuring Broadcom's AVC/VC-1 Compression Advantage decoder architecture the BCM7411 offers robust and proven decoding capabilities and, when used with the BCM7038 System-on-Chip device, enables manufacturers to cost effectively incorporate AVC, VC-1 and MPEG2 decoding in a variety of high-volume product applications, including next-generation satellite and cable STBs, personal video recording (PVR) products and IP STBs.

"Security is a major concern for our customers and we see Verimatrix as providing a key additional layer of content protection to detect and deter digital piracy," said Aidan O'Rourke, marketing director for Broadcom's IP STB solutions. "Verimatrix's software-based content security solution is a perfect match for the BCM97398 platform because of its highly-efficient and low-overhead processing techniques."

"In order for cable and satellite providers to offer early release and HD content, they need to be assured that the content is protected with the best technologies available. Working directly with leading semiconductor players like Broadcom to integrate forensic watermarking capabilities into the set-top box offers a huge time to market advantage to customers," said Bob Kulakowski, chief technology officer, Verimatrix. "We are pleased to add Broadcom to our growing list of chip manufacturer partners and excited about continuing to work with our partners to make this a standard in the industry."