Downloadable Conditional Access System: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 02:13, 22 July 2006

Revision as of 21:19, 28 December 2006

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'''Downloadable Conditional Access System''' or '''DCAS''' definesis a standardproposal advanced by [[CableLabs]] for secure software download of a specific Conditional Access client (computer program) which controls [[Digital Rights Management]] (DRM) into a OCAP-compliant host consumer media device. DCAS is intended to replace [[CableCARD]]s, a specification also created by CableLABS, for which products began appearing in August, 2004. DCAS is a controversial proposal for a variety of reasons: it currently does not exist, has no set deadlines for support on all Cable systems, the specification even in draft form is not currently public, may not satisfy FCC requirements that security modules be separable, and requires an operating system (OCAP) that a majority of [[consumer electronics]] (CE) manufacturers do not wish to implement.

[[Image:DCAS system diagram.jpg|thumb|400px|DCAS System Diagram]]

The U.S. cable television industry is developing a hardware/software specification called OCAP, the [[OpenCable Application Platform]], which will incorporate standard [[Application programming interface|APIs]] directly into host media devices, thus turning them into small computers. DCAS is a component that will eliminate the need for physical [[set-top box]]es or [[CableCARD]]s currently required to protect [[encryption|encrypted]] digital content. OCAP will enable cable companies to write not only security software, but user applications (interactive games, video on demand systems, etc.) that will run on any OCAP-branded hardware. All OCAP-enabled devices will be capable of two-way communication.

DCAS as currently envisioned, removes the need for physical [[set-top box]]es or [[CableCARD]]s currently required to protect [[encryption|encrypted]] digital content. It is proposed that instead of a card with removable circuitry, that a custom [[ASIC]] chip be soldered onto the circuitboard of any digital cable ready device. DCAS software would run on this custom chip. Additional circuitry needed to run the OCAP operating system would be required. OCAP programs then would be used as the sole method of interacting with DCAS since it will enable cable companies to force the download of new security software.

The basic purpose of DCAS is to implement DRM protection in software, supported by future OCAP-compliant consumer devices such as [[digital television]]s, [[digital video recorder|DVR]]s, and set-top boxes (still required to support legacy non-OCAP-compliant devices). This secures the information transmitted in the link between the cable company and the consumer device. TheBesides subsequentdecryption, digitalthe linkDCAS betweensoftware controls how the devicecontent andis itsused- externalwhether displayit must be deleted immediately after viewing, after a set period of time, which devices it may be transfered to and (if any)transfer wouldor recording is permitted. The scheme may be protectedused more broadly and is being advanced by something[[Rupert suchMurdoch]]'s company [[NDS Group|NDS]] as thea existingDRM method useful also for [[High-Bandwidthportable Digitalmedia Contentplayer]]s Protection|HDCPand other devices not attached to cable networks. A working DCAS prototype was created by [[Samsung]] encryptionand standardNDS for the cable industry and was demonstrated to the FCC in November 2005. [http://gullfoss2.fcc.gov/prod/ecfs/retrieve.cgi?native_or_pdf=pdf&id_document=6518185105]

According to Brian Dietz of the [[National Cable & Telecommunications Association]] (NCTA):

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It is asserted by proponents that DCAS provides greater security for the cable industry because it allows them to change their entire security structure by downloading new software into host devices. If a particular encryption algorithm is cracked, it can be replaced by another one. Additionally Detractors note that if the physical circuitry is compromised, that it may not be replaced as is the case with CableCARDs. Some DCAS scenarios do use removable cards: OCAP-based devices may incorporate internal support for a kind of "[[smart card]]" (similar to the current [[Subscriber Identity Module|SIM]] chip in a [[Global System for Mobile Communications|GSM]] cell-phone) to identify the subscriber and provide further protection. Proponents assert that DCAS is more supportable since DCAS devices would not require a qualified technician to install the card. Detractors assert that the final version of DCAS may require a physical card insertion, and that technicians are not required to insert CableCARDs anyway, since they are merely the same kind of cards that consumers routinely insert in their laptops. It is asserted that if Cable companies are finally forced to agree on a standard for two way communication that Cablecards will be able to be remotely configured as would be the case with DCAS devices.

The appearance of DCAS as a possible future technology has been used as a reason that the FCC should release cable companies from obligations regarding CableCards. [[Verizon FIOS]] wishes to be released from having to support cablecards at all on its network. Cable companies point to DCAS as a reason that they should not be released from their obligation to use Cablecards in their devices, as the FCC directed in 1998. The [[Consumer Electronics Association]] representing major Consumer electronics manufacturers disagrees with these applications for waivers pointing to the insubstantiality of the proposal and that Cable companies are notoriously late and half hearted in their support of their own standards, as evidenced by their behavior with their earlier CableCARD proposal. Detractors of DCAS point out the proposal is being used to sow [[fear, uncertainty, and doubt]] in the minds of consumers, CE companies, and the FCC. Consumers are motivated to hold off buying Cablecard devices, CE companies are wondering whether their cablecard technology investments will soon be obsolete, and causes doubt amongst FCC regulators whether they should enforce deadlines and restrictions placed on cable companies regarding CableCARDs. Detractors point to this as the latest in a decade long set of delaying tactics that the cable company has used to avoid compliance with the [[Telecommunications Law of 1996]]. Cable companies counter that CableCARD devices have failed in the marketplace and that it would be foolish for them to be forced to use CableCARDs when the superior technology of DCAS will soon be available.

== See also ==