subject: Next-generation broadcasting system [print this page] People around the world today are interlinked through various technologies; changing communication among societies and hence, challenging our conventional notions of national identity.' This is epitomized in the fact that we can watch television programs from remote areas of the world, listen to foreign radio stations, read overseas newspapers, publications and books; and in the present day, access as many websites as we wish from all over the world Satellite Communication and Broadcast System based on home servers is a next-generation broadcasting system that utilizes a PDR (personal digital recorder) which is an STB with a large capacity storage, and it is now in the process of being standardized. It is assumed that the transmitted contents will be stored in the receiver, and it is required that conventional broadcasting services can be also received. Hence, the proposed DRM can be constructed by adding a new encryption key to the conventional DRM.
The new key is called "content key" (Kc), and it is used to encrypt the session key when the content is stored in the PDR. Kc may be unique for each. But actually Kc does not have to be unique for each content. It depends on the broadcaster. A DTH network includes a broadcasting centre, one or more high-power satellites, and DTH receivers. Broadcasting centre, the hub of the network, is a complex production/playback studio with satellite uplink facility, subscriber management/access control system, and access network management system in the case of interactive and data services. Analogue or digital video programmers' are received through satellite contribution links, fibre-optics, or microwave terrestrial connections. Audio-video (AV) programmers are also available through tape library or CD/DAT media. In case data or the Internet services are offered, connections to servers are used via cable or satellite links.
Broadcasting requires a mechanism to execute some form of enforcement in a STB, which would operate according to content protection related control data transmitted along with regularly broadcast programmers'. Digital broadcasting in Japan transmits encrypted content to achieve such enforcement, based on confidential data provided, including a decryption key. Broadcast System based on Home Servers uses Rights Management and Protection Information (RMPI). RMPI includes copy control information, playback control information, region information, output device control information, etc. When the content is used, the PDR checks the RMPI and controls its processes accordingly.
