PAL/NTSC Digital Encoder Chip Integrates Macrovision Digital Video Anticopy System

9 September 1996

Working closely with the Macrovision Corporation, SGS-THOMSON Microelectronics has developed one of the first integrated circuits in the world that meets the Macrovision Revision 7.0 anticopy process requirements to support DVD applications for the NTSC standard. The NTSC capabilities of this IC meet the specifications of the Technical Requirements Document developed by members of the American Consumer Electronics Manufacturers' Association (CEMA) and the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) in conjunction with new copyright protection legislation that may be introduced into the US Congress later in 1996 or in 1997. The chip is currently available in sample quantities.

It is estimated that the first DVD players will reach the market later this year. With these players, consumers will be able to view movies on CD-size disks that give high quality sound and picture. Copyright owners, such as the major Hollywood movie studios, are very concerned that the high quality of images would encourage home copying and asked DVD manufacturers to add an effective copy protection system.

The system developed to meet this requirement is Macrovision 7.0, a method which modifies the video signal so that it can be viewed on a TV set but not recorded on a VCR. Any attempt to record a copy-protected signal yields a copy on which the entertainment value has been eliminated. Twenty seven consumer electronics companies worldwide have already been licensed to use the Macrovision technology embodied in the STV0117A.

"We are very pleased with the opportunity to co-operate with SGS-THOMSON on these new versions of copy protection capable ICs." said Mark Belinsky, Vice President of Macrovision's Copy Protection Division. "We believe that such partnerships improve our ability to release new copy protection technologies to the market at the earliest possible date".

"This early introduction of another important component for digital video demonstrates the continuing commitment of SGS-THOMSON to this important market.", explains Jean-Pierre Lusinchi, General Manager of SGS-THOMSON's Video Division. "Our company is the established leader in MPEG-2 decoder integrated circuits and offers many other differentiated products for digital video disk players and digital set top boxes."

As the name suggests, the STV0117A Digital Encoder converts CCIR656 format digital video signals into an analog baseband composite PAL/NTSC video signal. In addition it adds the Macrovision copy protection function, on-screen display, close caption capability, copy generation management system (CGMS), an on-chip color bar generator and a flexible master/slave synchronization system. All functions are controlled easily through an I2C serial bus. The chip is housed in a PLCC44 package.

One leading DVD manufacturer has already chosen this part for a DVD player starting up mass production in Q396.

Samples of the STV0117A are available for evaluation. Application support includes a ready-to-use development board and PC control software.

About Macrovision:

Macrovision Corporation develops and markets technologies that protect video, audio, and data in both prerecorded and electronically transmitted formats from unauthorized viewing and unauthorized recording. The company offers products and services for the home video, pay-per-view, cable, satellite, and corporate communications markets. Macrovision has subsidiaries in London and Tokyo, with headquarters in Sunnyvale, California.

Macrovision Corporation is best known for the videocassette version of its copy protection technology, which is used by every major Hollywood studio in 37 countries around the world. In the U.S., over 1500 corporate, educational, and special interest rights holders apply the videocassette anticopy process to their programs. Since its first commercial usage in 1985, over 1.4 billion cassettes have been encoded with the Macrovision process worldwide which collectively have been viewed over 10 billion times. This technology is estimated to save rights holders in excess of $100 million per year in lost sales due to unauthorized copying.

While Macrovision's videocassette technology degrades unauthorized copies made on over 80% of consumer VCRs in the U.S. market, its DVD technology degrades unauthorized copies made on over 95% of consumer VCRs, specifically because it contains an additional element called colorstripe that can be used on transmitted programs but not on prerecorded cassettes. Macrovision's PPV copy protection technology, which is based on the DVD technology is gaining rapid market acceptance, as telco, DBS, and cable operators alike are requiring Macrovision copy protection capability for their digital set-top decoders. Over 4 million digital set top decoders worldwide have been shipped with Macrovision copy protection capability.

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