Joint solution delivers industry leading hardware-based security for connected TVs

AMSTERDAM and SUNNYVALE, Calif —  MStar Semiconductor, Inc., a leading provider of display and digital home solutions, today announced it has started production of a secure chipset for connected TVs that integrates the Rambus Cryptography Research CryptoFirewall™ security core with  Intertrust’s ExpressPlay™ cloud service for Digital Rights Management (DRM). The new chipset – the MStar G6F – is designed to meet consumer demand for easy access to 4K UHD programs while also providing unparalleled security for content owners.

The G6F is designed to integrate easily into 4K smart TVs and supports a full function HEVC decoder, multi-region demodulator, and motion judder cancellation with MStar’s proprietary MACE –Pro3UC /MFC technology.

“By integrating the CryptoFirewall core into MStar’s security hardware, the G6F chip meets MovieLabs’ Hardware Root of Trust guidelines,” said Wayne Tsai, marketing director of MStar. “In addition, the seamless integration with ExpressPlay accelerates our time-to-market. We are very proud that MStar is contributing to the 4K UHD content delivery ecosystem.”

The CryptoFirewall core provides a secure, hardware-based foundation that delivers unprecedented security to connected TVs. This allows content distributors, including over-the-top (OTT) operators, to deliver 4K UHD premium programming, while satisfying the security requirements of studios and other content owners.

“By working with our partners Intertrust and MStar, content distributors can now deploy an end-to-end security solution for TVs,” said Paul Kocher, president and chief scientist of the Rambus Cryptography Research division. “The CryptoFirewall security core helps realize the full potential of OTT content, giving consumers the ability to get access to early release and premium 4K UHD programming directly on their TVs.”

In addition to hardware protection, the MStar connected TV chipset includes ExpressPlay, an end-to-end security service that provides a ready-to-go  Marlin DRM system to manage content protection. Marlin DRM is a simple, open and elegant DRM that supports many video formats including MPEG-DASH HLS, and MP4.

“By collaborating with MStar and Cryptography Research, we have been able to deliver a solution that provides a hardware root-of-trust on an SoC platform to deliver post-activation capability for all devices in the field,” said David Maher, Executive VP and CTO, Intertrust Technologies. “By making the DRM system carry unique hardware-protected, super-encrypted content keys, we can ensure that content keys are only accessible within the CryptoFirewall core and security hardware of the chip.”

Product Availability

The production of 4K UHD TVs, including the MStar G6F, is expected to start in Q4 2015. 

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About Rambus Inc.

Rambus creates cutting-edge semiconductor and IP products, spanning memory and interfaces to security, smart sensors and lighting. Our chips, customizable IP cores, architecture licenses, tools, services, training and innovations improve the competitive advantage of our customers. We collaborate with the industry, partnering with leading ASIC and SoC designers, foundries, IP developers, EDA companies and validation labs. Our products are integrated into tens of billions of devices and systems, powering and securing diverse applications, including Big Data, Internet of Things (IoT), mobile, consumer and media platforms. At Rambus, we are makers of better. For more information,  visit rambus.com.

About MStar Semiconductor, Inc.

MStar Semiconductor, Inc. is a world-class leader in Application Specific ICs with a focus on consumer electronic products and communication applications. Since the inception in 2002, MStar has established a strong brand and leadership position in LCD controller, analog and digital TV, and set-top box by fully leveraging its core expertise of cutting-edge design capabilities, continuous innovation and premier customer-focused services. Headquartered in Taiwan, MStar has a comprehensive global footprint of international R&D and customer support centers to provide a full range of total solutions for various consumer electronic applications. For more information, please visit mstarsemi.com.

About Intertrust Technologies 

Intertrust invents, develops, and delivers technologies for trusted computing among leading global corporations from mobile and CE manufacturers and service providers, to enterprise software platform companies. Intertrust and its subsidiaries are also developing new trust services for vertical markets related to consumer privacy, Internet processing of DNA data, and smart grids. Intertrust also actively creates and invests in ventures that extend its market vision. Current and former portfolio companies include  Personagraph,  Kabuto,  whiteCryption,  SyncTV,  Nest Labs,  Kiora, and  Planet OS. 

Founded in 1990 on a revolutionary vision to bring trust to operating systems and open networks, Intertrust is based in Silicon Valley, with regional offices in London and Beijing. The Company has a legacy of invention, and its fundamental contributions in the areas of computer security and digital trust are globally recognized. Intertrust holds hundreds of patents that are key to Internet security, trust, and privacy management components of operating systems, trusted mobile code and networked operating environments, web services, and cloud computing. Additional information is available at  intertrust.com. Follow us on  Twitter or  LinkedIn.


Contacts:

Simone Souza
Rambus                                                                         
(408) 462-8859
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Robin Buckley 
Intertrust Technologies Corporation 
DC2SFGroup LLC
703.533.9805 or 703.201.3524 (mobile)
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Leigh Anne
Varney MStar Semiconductor
Varney Business Communication
415.713.0713
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