Verimatrix, setting the standard in content security technologies that enhance the value of pay-TV networks, today announced a growing range of partners that have committed to the commercial availability of VideoMarkT-enhanced set-top boxes (STBs). Tilgin, WEGENER, Entone, Softier and Setabox are integrating VideoMark, Verimatrix's patent-pending forensic watermarking technology, and Video Content Authority System (VCAS) with their leading IPTV boxes in response to new content owner and system requirements. Verimatrix will be demonstrating VideoMark capabilities and exhibiting their partners' upgraded STBs at IBC2006 Hall 4, Booth 199.

VideoMark, an extended content security option for all VCAS deployments, is the only robust and invisible content tracking solution that enables forensic, user-specific marking of individual video copies to track piracy to the culpable user outside the digital network. Recent announcements indicate that VideoMark is the only forensic watermarking solution gaining traction in the marketplace (see Time Broadband Service of India Selects Verimatrix for First Deployment of VideoMark in Asia, June 21, and Auroras and Verimatrix Partner to Deploy Encryption, Service Protection and Forensic Watermarking Technology, March 20). VideoMark was selected for these deployments to ensure that the IPTV operators featured differentiated services including early release windows for High Definition (HD) and super premium content.

"We are thrilled to see the growing momentum in worldwide deployment of VideoMark. Content owners, our customers and partners have always responded positively to the idea of forensic watermarking that can trace piracy to the source. Now we are seeing a wave of system deployments enabled by our forward-thinking partners," said Steve Oetegenn, EVP of Global Sales and Marketing, Verimatrix.

Tilgin (formerly i3 micro technology) was the first to integrate VideoMark with its IP STBs, initially with the Mood 300 for Standard Definition (SD) and currently scheduled for integration with Tilgin's Mood 400 for HD. "We experience big interest from our customers regarding the integration of VideoMark watermarking on Tilgin set-top boxes," said Chris Chalkitis, CTO, Tilgin. "Our integrated solution offers IPTV operators a huge competitive advantage, facilitating access to a broader portfolio of value added services and content."

WEGENER (Wegener Corporation) is a leading provider of television, audio and data distribution networks worldwide and was one of the early pioneers to integrate VideoMark into its IPTV set-top box. "We continue to consider our partnership with Verimatrix a very strategic part of our plans for the telecom market," stated Ned Mountain, president of WEGENER. "VideoMark integrates well with WEGENER's plans for viable HD solutions for IPTV."

Entone Technologies, a leading provider of personal video content delivery solutions, is a long-time integration partner with Verimatrix where their solutions are being deployed at a number of video service operators worldwide. "The ability to track piracy to the specific STB not only deters illegal peer-to-peer file sharing, but captures more revenues for the content owners," said Ian Jefferson, Entone's VP of Business Development. "More revenues mean better content at earlier release windows for network operators. Our end-to-end solution with VideoMark can really help change the current re lease window paradigm."

Softier is a leading provider of IP STBs and one of the first to integrate VideoMark into its Wave-300, a robust, advanced and open IP STB platform for deploying advanced services based upon the H.264 compression standard. The Wave-300 is the first STB that has been deployed on the Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd (MTNL) Delhi network operated by Time Broadband Service. "Our IP products are designed to be reliable and flexible to meet the needs of network operators today and in the future. The addition of VideoMark ensures that our customers' networks are future-proofed for offering HD content and a cost-effective H.264 solution," said Haim Bechor, VP marketing at Softier.

Setabox Technology Co., Ltd, is a leading IP STB solution provider located in Taipei, Taiwan is integrating VideoMark in its MSD-630 series of IP STBs. "The demand for this type of advanced watermarking technology is coming from both the content owners and the network operators. We strive to provide totally integrated solutions for our customers and VideoMark is a compelling piece to the overall solution," said Jack Chen of Setabox.