NDS announced an agreement with SES AMERICOM to support their IP-PRIME IPTV distribution solution with NDS Synamedia. Synamedia is a secure IP solution for two-way IPTV network operators. IP-PRIME is a centralized, satellite-delivered IP television delivery system that permits Telcos to bundle traditional standard and HD programming on a single line with their voice and Internet services.

The new offering enables telecommunications companies to offer secure, premium TV services to their customers. SES AMERICOM will deliver up to 300 channels encoded into MPEG-4/H.264 via their IP-PRIME platform, offering Telcos a more efficient and robust transmission path.

The Synamedia solution, integrated with NDS VideoGuard content protection and digital rights management, will offer SES AMERICOM a secure platform for the delivery of multi-channel pay-TV and video on demand (VOD) services to customers using a broadband IP connection. Based on the proven NDS VideoGuard conditional access solution, NDS Synamedia protects content at all stages of delivery--from the broadband access point through the last mile to the IP consumer device, such as a set-top box or digital video recorder (DVR). Once content is received inside the home, VideoGuard protects the valuable digital content from piracy, whether it is stored locally or routed through a home network.

The solution for SES AMERICOM features VGS, a secure headend-based content protection solution from NDS. The hardware-based solution does not require a smart card in the consumer device. The decryption capability is embedded within the device's standard video processor chip, which communicates securely with the NDS VGS network servers. NDS has worked closely with major chipset manufacturers to develop these secure video processors that can communicate with secure headend servers, providing strong content protection over two-way networks.

The new technical approach used in the VGS content protection solution is stronger than software-based and hardware-assisted solutions, because the content is decrypted entirely within the secure processing blocks in the processor.

Using NDS VGS technology, two-way networks provide a number of benefits, including safe network environment for authorizations, simplified upgrades to the system for enhanced functionality and security, and reduced set-top box costs. There is no security information stored in the set-top when it is switched off.

SES AMERICOM's IP-PRIME platform offers two delivery solutions; one path delivers the secure video content to the Telcos for their distribution to consumers. Alternately, the IP-PRIME content can be passed through directly to subscriber homes via secured set-top boxes. The NDS solution is integrated into both IP-PRIME options.

"SES AMERICOM has earned the trust of leading programmers in cable and broadcast, who are now entering the new world of IPTV aboard our reliable, secure distribution platforms," said Alan Young, chief technology officer for SES AMERICOM. "NDS is a recognized system security provider, enabling us to deliver a protected vital link in the long anticipated triple play for Telcos and markets beyond."

"Telecommunications companies have shown great interest in the delivery of television services to the home, and we are very happy to work with SES AMERICOM to help bring the IP-PRIME solution to Telcos of all sizes," said Dr. Dov Rubin, NDS Group vice president and general manager, NDS Americas. "Security is of primary concern to protect their revenues and to enable them to deliver high value content. This integrated solution provides a turnkey approach for the telecommunications providers, bringing television services to their subscribers - quickly, easily, and securely."