A method, which ensures the program provider gets paid for its services by the user.
System which controls access to pay and copyright-protected services.
Method by which consumers can access an encrypted and scrambled TV service (and, in the future, multimedia services). The "conditional" element of the term refers to the fact that consumers can gain access on condition of having paid a subscription fee. Usually the technology involves the consumer having possession of a smart card that has been instructed by the broadcaster through a data stream within the satellite (or cable) TV signal to de-scramble the video stream.
Term used to describe method of blocking access to programming, access only being allowed with the correct codes or card to "unlock" the programming.
Software/hardware used to limit unauthorised access to broadcast programmes. Typically used for pay tv services. A choice between some half dozen proprietary products is available.
A system for scrambling and encryption signals in order to control access to programmes for those viewers who have paid subscription fees for these programmes (e.g. Videoguard, Eurocrypt).
the systems and technology used to ensure that only those consumers who have paid to receive a service, or who live in a given geographical area are able to watch that service, ie access is restricted to those who meet the conditions. Generally conditional access systems used with pay TV use scrambling but other methods may be used to prevent unauthorised access
A system whereby a signal is encrypted to ensure that only subscribers can receive the channel or programme. See also pay TV.
System used by broadcasters of pay TV services to ensure that only authorised viewers are able to receive the service; usually achieved by encryption.
A cryptographic technique for controlling which receivers are able to access a particular signal. Coded orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (COFDM) The modulation scheme selected by the DVB committee for digital terrestrial broadcast television. (See "Modulation" below.)
Electronic method of limiting access to a service or services by an end-user. Conditional access methodologies exist in several industry standards such as NDC, Irdeto, etc.
Digital television signals can be scrambled in such a way that they cannot be understood by a conventional decoder. Only when unscrambled by a special system can the original pictures be seen by the viewer. By controlling the operation of the de-scrambling system through the use of a pre-paid access card, or by a transmitted code, the broadcaster can control access to a particular channel or service. Conditional access can be used to control many things from pay-per-view subscription through to target viewing areas. The ATSC specification, at press time, was not complete.
The process by which customers are authorized to view only specific programming (subscription services or events). The authorization is sent from the CAMC and stored on the access card in the customer's receiver.
A system for restricting access to a particular service to authorised users only (e.g. subscribers to a particular digital bouquet, purchasers of individual pay-per-view events), by means of encryption and authorised decoding.
Also known as CA. The process of using “keys†to encrypt content that can only be read or decoded once decrypted.
The system which allows the control of a user's access to pay services and services protected for copyright reasons.
Conditional access (acronymized CA, sometimes also known as Conax) is the protection of content by requiring certain criteria to be met before granting access to this content. The term is commonly used in relation to digital television systems, most notably satellite television.
