HbbTV Association announces free-to-use DASH DRM

The HbbTV Association has released its DASH DRM Reference Application, which is designed to make it easier to deploy services that require HbbTV together with DRM and DASH.

The association said that the ability for content providers to deliver DRM-protected content to consumers via MPEG-DASH using an HbbTV application is key to enabling the monetisation of HbbTV content and services.

It added that the model has been tested on TV sets representing a “large proportion” of the installed base in the market, on HbbTV 1.5 and 2.0.1 terminals, and with some limitations, on generic web browsers.

“This application and sample content serve as a showcase of the HbbTV technology and as a useful resource to help members validate their tools, content and devices,” said the organisation in a statement.

“The reference application is freely distributed under an open source MIT licence and includes documentation covering the creation of valid MPEG-DASH files from users’ own video content.”

The HbbTV Association is a global initiative dedicated to providing an open standard for the delivery of broadcast and broadband services through connected TVs and set-top boxes.