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Nagravision, Microsoft team up to offer pay TV on PCs
MUMBAI: Nagravision, the international independent provider of value-added content protection solutions, and Microsoft Corp., one of the leading players in software, services and solutions, today announced a joint commitment to enable technology solutions that help provide the secure reception of digital pay-TV programs on personal computers and devices running Microsoft® Windows® operating systems.
Nagravision and Microsoft will work together to enable the development of cost-effective products and services that use both parties’ technologies for the delivery of premium television content to personal computers running the Windows XP media center edition operating system and its ecosystem of connected devices, including Xbox 360(TM) and portable media centers. The agreement includes a plan for joint marketing and business development activities.
The convergence of pay-TV and personal computers brings new business opportunities for content owners, network operators, electronic devices manufacturers, retailers and technology providers. A critical piece needed to fully capitalize on this convergence and enable compelling end-user scenarios for the delivery of high-value digital content is the availability of a solid, scalable conditional access (CA) to Windows Media® Digital Rights Management technical solution. Such a CA-to-DRM bridge solution narrows the gap between the pay-TV platform and the increasing number of Media Center PCs and their connected digital devices.
“This relationship allows our customers to increase their options for content distribution within the home and capitalize on the emergence of their subscribers’ expectations to access content on any device,” said Nagravision COO Pierre Roy. “In fact this CA-to-DRM bridge links the best of both worlds: Nagravision’s proven CA technology for content delivery and Microsoft’s home network concept for distribution within the home.”
“We’re tremendously excited to work with such an industry leader to further the vision of digital entertainment anywhere,” said Microsoft corporate vice president Windows client extended platforms Rick Thompson. “This partnership will help the industry enable authorized distribution of premium TV content to media center PCs and a variety of connected retails devices, benefiting both consumers and network operators.”
At IBC2005, Microsoft and Nagravision will be demonstrating the first results of their collaboration: a proof-of-concept device, implemented on Microsoft’s reference design by Digital Keystone Inc. This demo shows Canal and Group’s TV programs being securely broadcasted through Nagravision’s conditional access system before being securely “bridged” into Microsoft’s digital rights management (DRM) content protection technology to enable authorised access on windows media center PCs and their ecosystem of connected devices. This Nagravision CA-to-DRM bridge, shown on Nagravision’s booth #1.420, supports current business models and enables quality-perfect, authorized access of premium TV content. It allows network operators to take advantage of the innovation around media consumption on media center PCs and their entire ecosystem of connected devices, according to the company.
“Upon customer request, we have now the ability to help provide a secure solution to bridge the customer operator vertical wall-garden and the horizontal DRM world. While many standards and market-driven initiatives are still struggling to find their place in this industry, we now have the elements to provide a solution with Microsoft,” said Nagravision CTO Philippe Stransky.
“Bridging conditional access technologies with digital rights management is a critical component of content distribution in the home,” said Digital Keystone CEO Paolo Siccardo. “We are proud to provide the world’s first CA-to-DRM bridging technology for the Microsoft/Nagravision reference design.”
The importance of delivering secure and scalable business solutions to digital content providers cannot be underestimated as broadcast industry partners extend their reach to PC users who expect to have access to more content in more places than ever before.
Microsoft and Nagravision are uniquely equipped to lead this charge and in doing so will help make seamless and secure access to protected content a reality.
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
