CableLabs® and RealNetworks Bring Video Services to the PC
CableLabs approves Real's Helix DRM solution for OpenCable(TM) Unidirectional Receiver (OCUR) class devices
SEATTLE and LOUISVILLE, Colo. April 10 -- RealNetworks®, Inc. (NASDAQ:RNWK), a leading creator of digital media services and software, and Cable Television Laboratories Inc. (CableLabs®), today announced CableLabs' approval of Real's universal Helix DRM solution for OpenCable(TM) Unidirectional Receiver (OCUR) devices connected to new PCs. The approval by CableLabs allows manufacturers to build and deploy a secure digital cable ready solution for PCs, and enables consumers to enjoy digital and high definition (HD) cable programming on PCs, as well as other devices connected within their home networks.
"We are constantly working to deliver customers innovative technical solutions that match their usage preferences," said Glenn Britt, Chairman of the CableLabs Board of Directors and President and CEO of Time Warner Cable. "This DRM solution provides a secure environment while guaranteeing a high quality customer experience. We hope this will lead to a competitive marketplace for secure DRM technologies."
The ability for the PC to serve as another vehicle for consumers to enjoy cable programming is a top initiative for the cable industry," said Richard R. Green, president and CEO of CableLabs. "The approval of Helix DRM is a positive step for both the cable and IT industries -- an ideal match-up for content providers and the manufacturers of innovative home computing and networking products."
"Our agreement with CableLabs is great for consumers because it will give them an easy way to take compelling video content and extend it throughout their digital home," said Rob Glaser, chairman and CEO, RealNetworks. "This initiative is also great for the cable industry because it will open up new opportunities for operators to develop innovative video services that bridge the traditional video world and the high-speed data parts of their businesses. And it's great for Real because it significantly enhances the value and footprint of our Helix DRM solution. We're very pleased to play a central role in the development to move content securely beyond the set-top box."
Real's Helix DRM will enable the secure delivery of content to the media center PC environment through CableCARD(TM) removable security modules. The OCUR device receives encrypted digital cable content from the CableCARD and then re-encrypts that content with Helix DRM. The secure IP output of the OCUR follows CableLabs' "Digital Receiver Interface" (DRI) protocol specification, which allows connection to compliant PCs that also have Helix DRM.
Helix DRM is a comprehensive and flexible platform for the secure media content delivery of standards-based as well as leading Internet formats, including RealAudio, RealVideo, MP3, and MPEG-2, AAC, H.263 and AMR. It is the second DRM system to complete the due diligence necessary for approval by CableLabs for use with the OCUR and PCs. Prior approvals of digital rights management systems and secure digital output and recording technologies include DTCP over IEEE-1394, HDCP over DVI and HDMI, WMDRM over DRI, and VCPS and CPDO for optical media recording and hard drive storage, respectively.
About CableLabs
Founded in 1988 by members of the cable television industry, Cable Television Laboratories is a non-profit research and development consortium that is dedicated to pursuing new cable telecommunications technologies and to helping its cable operator members integrate those advancements into their business objectives. Cable operators from around the world are members. CableLabs maintains web sites at cablelabs.com; packetcable.com; cablemodem.com; cablenet.org; and www.opencable.com.
About RealNetworks, Inc.
RealNetworks, Inc. is a leading creator of digital media services and software including Rhapsody, RealPlayer® 10 and casual PC and mobile games. Broadcasters, network operators, media companies and enterprises use RealNetworks' products and services to create and deliver digital media to PCs, mobile phones and consumer electronics devices. Consumers can access and experience audio/video programming and download RealNetworks' consumer software at www.real.com/. RealNetworks' systems and corporate information is located at http://www.realnetworks.com/.
Source: RealNetworks, Inc.
CONTACT: Mike Schwartz of CableLabs, +1-303-661-9100,
m.schwartz@cablelabs.com; or Moe Farley of RealNetworks, +1-206-892-6653,
mfarley@realnetworks.com; or Helen Chung of JLM Partners for RealNetworks,
+1-206-381-3600, helen@jlmpartners.com
Web site: http://www.realnetworks.com/
http://www.cablelabs.com/
