Conditional access module
Encyclopedia
A conditional access module (CAM) is an electronic device, usually incorporating a slot for a smart card
, which equips an Integrated Digital Television
or set-top box
with the appropriate hardware facility to view conditional access
content that has been encrypted
using a conditional access system. They are normally used with direct-broadcast satellite (DBS) services, although digital terrestrial
pay TV suppliers also use CAMs. PC Card
form factor is used as the Common Interface
form of Conditional Access Modules for DVB broadcasts.
Some encryption systems for which CAMs are available are Logiways, Nagravision
, Viaccess
, Mediaguard
, Irdeto
, KeyFly
, Verimatrix, Cryptoworks
, Mascom, Safeview, Diablo CAM and Conax
. NDS VideoGuard
encryption, the preferred choice of Sky Digital
can only be externally emulated by a Dragon brand cam. The NDS CAM which the Sky viewing card ordinarily uses is built into the Sky Digibox thus not visible. Dragon and Matrix, two popular cams with satellite television enthusiasts are multicrypt meaning each is capable of handling more than one encryption system. Matrix CAMs can be upgraded via the PC Card
port in a laptop
personal computer whereas a Dragon cam update is done via separate programmer hardware.
The primary purpose of the CAM is to derive control words, which are short-term decryption keys for video. The effectiveness of a CAM depends on the tamper
resistance of the hardware; if the hardware is broken, the functionality of the CAM can be emulated, enabling the content to be decrypted by non-subscribers. CAMs are normally removable so that they can be replaced after the hardware security is breached. Replacement of the CAMs in a system is called a card swap-out.
The standard format for a CAM is a PC card
which takes a smart card
to authenticate, although CAMs with the 'smart card' burnt into memory can be found. In addition, CAM emulators exist for many systems, either providing an interface to allow the use of more than one type of card, or a card not designed for that receiver.
Smart card
A smart card, chip card, or integrated circuit card , is any pocket-sized card with embedded integrated circuits. A smart card or microprocessor cards contain volatile memory and microprocessor components. The card is made of plastic, generally polyvinyl chloride, but sometimes acrylonitrile...
, which equips an Integrated Digital Television
Integrated Digital Television
An Integrated Digital Television set is a television set with a built in digital tuner, be it for DVB-T, DVB-S, DVB-C, DMB-T/H, ATSC or ISDB. Most of them also allow reception of analogue signals . They do away with the need for a set top box for converting those signals for reception on a...
or set-top box
Set-top box
A set-top box or set-top unit is an information appliance device that generally contains a tuner and connects to a television set and an external source of signal, turning the signal into content which is then displayed on the television screen or other display device.-History:Before the...
with the appropriate hardware facility to view conditional access
Conditional access
Conditional Access is the protection of content by requiring certain criteria to be met before granting access to this content...
content that has been encrypted
Encryption
In cryptography, encryption is the process of transforming information using an algorithm to make it unreadable to anyone except those possessing special knowledge, usually referred to as a key. The result of the process is encrypted information...
using a conditional access system. They are normally used with direct-broadcast satellite (DBS) services, although digital terrestrial
Digital terrestrial television
Digital terrestrial television is the technological evolution of broadcast television and advance from analog television, which broadcasts land-based signals...
pay TV suppliers also use CAMs. PC Card
PC Card
In computing, PC Card is the form factor of a peripheral interface designed for laptop computers. The PC Card standard was defined and developed by the Personal Computer Memory Card International Association which itself was created by a number of computer industry companies in the United States...
form factor is used as the Common Interface
Common Interface
In Digital Video Broadcasting, the Common Interface is an extensible digital interconnect found in the digital TV market. It is also known as DVB-CI for Digital Video Broadcast Common Interface....
form of Conditional Access Modules for DVB broadcasts.
Some encryption systems for which CAMs are available are Logiways, Nagravision
Nagravision
Nagravision is a company of the Kudelski Group that develops conditional access systems for cable and satellite television. The name is also used for their main products, the Nagravision encryption systems.-Digital systems:...
, Viaccess
Viaccess
Viaccess is a conditional access system developed by France Télécom. There are six versions in use today, Viaccess PC2.3, Viaccess PC2.4, Viaccess PC2.5, Viaccess PC2.6, Viaccess PC3.0 and Viaccess PC4.0....
, Mediaguard
Mediaguard
Mediaguard is a conditional access system for digital television developed by SECA , company renamed to Canal+ Technologies SA , a subsidiary of Canal+ Group, sold to Thomson...
, Irdeto
Irdeto
Irdeto B.V. is a global software security and media technology company with dual headquarters in Hoofddorp, Netherlands and Beijing, China. It is a subsidiary of multinational media group Naspers...
, KeyFly
KeyFly
KeyFly is a conditional access system developed by SIDSA which is compatible with the DVB-CSA platform. The system is based on SIDSA MACtsp processors, and Conditional Access Modules for it can integrate the card directly into the CAM.-Overview:...
, Verimatrix, Cryptoworks
Cryptoworks
Cryptoworks is a DVB conditional access system, developed by Philips CryptoTec but now belonging to Irdeto.Cryptoworks is used by Digiturk, the BFBS satellite service, UPC Direct, ITV Partner the ORF, JSTV, and other pay TV or free-to-view systems; mainly in Europe...
, Mascom, Safeview, Diablo CAM and Conax
Conax
Conax is a global technology company that provides conditional access solutions for digital television. Based in Oslo, Norway, Conax has subsidiaries in the USA, India and Germany and sales & support offices in Russia, Singapore, China, South Korea, Brazil, and Canada.- Overview :Between 1986 and...
. NDS VideoGuard
VideoGuard
VideoGuard , produced by NDS, is a digital encryption system for use with conditional access television broadcasting. It is used on digital satellite television systems - some of which are operated by News Corporation, which owns about half of NDS...
encryption, the preferred choice of Sky Digital
Sky Digital (UK & Ireland)
Sky is the brand name for British Sky Broadcasting's digital satellite television and radio service, transmitted from SES Astra satellites located at 28.2° east and Eutelsat's Eurobird 1 satellite at 28.5°E. The service was originally launched as Sky Digital, distinguishing it from the original...
can only be externally emulated by a Dragon brand cam. The NDS CAM which the Sky viewing card ordinarily uses is built into the Sky Digibox thus not visible. Dragon and Matrix, two popular cams with satellite television enthusiasts are multicrypt meaning each is capable of handling more than one encryption system. Matrix CAMs can be upgraded via the PC Card
PC Card
In computing, PC Card is the form factor of a peripheral interface designed for laptop computers. The PC Card standard was defined and developed by the Personal Computer Memory Card International Association which itself was created by a number of computer industry companies in the United States...
port in a laptop
Laptop
A laptop, also called a notebook, is a personal computer for mobile use. A laptop integrates most of the typical components of a desktop computer, including a display, a keyboard, a pointing device and speakers into a single unit...
personal computer whereas a Dragon cam update is done via separate programmer hardware.
The primary purpose of the CAM is to derive control words, which are short-term decryption keys for video. The effectiveness of a CAM depends on the tamper
Tamper-evident
Tamper-evident describes a device or process that makes unauthorized access to the protected object easily detected. Seals, markings or other techniques may be tamper indicating.-Tampering:...
resistance of the hardware; if the hardware is broken, the functionality of the CAM can be emulated, enabling the content to be decrypted by non-subscribers. CAMs are normally removable so that they can be replaced after the hardware security is breached. Replacement of the CAMs in a system is called a card swap-out.
The standard format for a CAM is a PC card
PC card
In computing, PC Card is the form factor of a peripheral interface designed for laptop computers. The PC Card standard was defined and developed by the Personal Computer Memory Card International Association which itself was created by a number of computer industry companies in the United States...
which takes a smart card
Smart card
A smart card, chip card, or integrated circuit card , is any pocket-sized card with embedded integrated circuits. A smart card or microprocessor cards contain volatile memory and microprocessor components. The card is made of plastic, generally polyvinyl chloride, but sometimes acrylonitrile...
to authenticate, although CAMs with the 'smart card' burnt into memory can be found. In addition, CAM emulators exist for many systems, either providing an interface to allow the use of more than one type of card, or a card not designed for that receiver.