For more then 5 years we work in web and soft development, design, consulting and media content distribution. IDE Group provides world–leading solutions to media, entertainment and retail industries: Progressive Retail Solutions, DVD Rental Systems, Digital Media Delivery, Integrated Customer Service and Billing solutions.

Comprehensive real-time streaming based on Microsoft DRM technology allows only authorized users to receive and view any digital content and employs MS DRM (Digital Rights Management) to prevent unauthorized copying or sharing of video-on-demand content with another individual or device within content delivery network. Our software is ready for quick and effective start of media streaming business.

Our system utilizes Windows Media® 10 DRM and Windows Media Rights Manager technology. Public Web Site => SOAP* => DRM Licenses Server and XML–RPC (Remote Procedure Calling) protocols were used as well.

The latest release of Windows Media DRM technology makes it possible to protect, deliver, and play individual, subscription, and promotional digital media content on computers, portable audio devices, Portable Media Center devices, or networked devices that are connected to an Internet protocol (IP) network. Windows Media DRM includes two new components, Windows Media DRM 10 for Portable Devices and Windows Media DRM 10 for Network Devices, as well as an updated Windows Media Rights Manager 10 SDK. These components allow for the seamless flow of content to almost any device, offer the widest range of purchase and rental options for digital media, and ensure the security of premium content as it flows from device to device.

Windows Media Rights Manager is the technology that allows you to package Windows Media DRM files and issues licenses. You can use Windows Media Rights Manager to encrypt a given digital media file, lock it with a key, and bundle additional information from the content provider. This results in a packaged file that can only be played by the person who has obtained a license. Windows Media Rights Manager can also act as the license clearing house, authenticating the consumer’s request for a license and issuing the license to the user.

Windows Media DRM contains a number of features that protect the content file and enables new flexible business models.
Security

• Individualization
  Windows Media DRM improves the security of the system by making each digital media player unique and linking the player to the host computer. This reduces the likelihood that a compromised player will be widely distributed on the Internet. With individualization, any compromised player can be identified and disabled in the licensing process.
• Application exclusion
  Windows Media DRM enables the license issuer to prohibit an application from playing certain packaged files.
• DRM component exclusion
  Windows Media DRM enables the license issuer to deny licenses to applications that use a DRM component that is known to be damaged or corrupted.
• Secure Audio Path
  Windows Media DRM ensures digital media file protection in the operating system from the player to the sound card driver in Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition, Microsoft Windows XP. This secure relationship reduces the likelihood that any unauthorized program will capture a digital media stream within a computer.

License Acquisition

• License chaining
  This feature allows content services to create «root» licenses (which contain information that governs whether or not a file can be played, such as expiration date) and "leaf" licenses for the content itself. This is useful for subscription services because only the single root license needs to be updated for each renewal period as opposed to renewing hundreds or thousands of individual content licenses.
• License store performance
  The redesigned license store reduces the time necessary to manage licenses.

Playback

• Start and end times
  Content providers can create specific playback time periods for their digital media files. For example, a rental model could be established where consumers could play back a streaming media file during a three–day period. This time period may begin some time in the future and last for a limited duration.
• Playback duration
  Content providers can specify an amount of time during which playback of a given digital media file is permitted. This time period may begin the first time the file is played or saved to a computer.
• Counted operations
  The single play or limited play option allows the content provider to limit the number of times that the consumer can play a digital media file.

Digital media files can be easily copied and distributed without any reduction in quality. As a result, digital media files are being widely distributed on the Internet today, through both authorized and unauthorized distribution channels. Piracy is a concern when security measures are not in place to protect content. Digital rights management enables content providers to protect their content and maintain control over distribution. Content providers can protect and manage their rights by creating licenses for each digital media file. License registration procedures also give these companies important customer information. Such information helps content providers stay closer to their customers. Having a robust DRM system in place ensures that a wide variety of the highest–quality audio and video content is made available to consumers.

The Content Management Station (Encoder), which needs to be near the video source, sends compressed audio/video streams on to Media Streaming Server (typically via a LAN using UDP/TCP protocol). The Media Streaming Server is responsible for delivering compressed video to each individual request coming from Public Web Site users for particular video stream. DRM–protected content may be stored locally on auxiliary storage servers. During receiving a new film Content Encoder converts film that is recorded in any format to WMV format. DRM Packager codes the film, saves it to Protected Content Storage and sends the notification to Public Web Site. Thus the encoded film becomes available for the final users. DRM Licenses Server provides the issue of streaming licenses to final users and controls authorized content delivery. Please study SMS 2.8 white paper for more information.

Microsoft Windows Media DRM uses a wide range of cryptographic and anti–piracy techniques to protect digital media content and its own integrity. Microsoft Windows Media Rights Manager, the technology that packages files and issues licenses, encrypts a given media file with a full–strength encryption algorithm. No decryption key is contained in the Windows Media Format file container. Decrypting an isolated Windows Media file would require breaking industrial–strength cryptographic algorithms.

Standard cryptographic protocols based on digital signatures are used for authentication throughout Windows Media DRM. For example, license servers use Windows Media DRM technologies to authenticate Windows Media DRM–based clients. These clients use digital certificates on their computers. The digital certificate's unique public key and version number identify the client. Licenses are issued only to authenticated clients. The digital media file key in the license is also encrypted in such a way that only the Windows Media DRM–based client software to which the key was issued can retrieve it. A digital signature further protects the usage rules from tampering.

Microsoft must first give authorization to any company before it can incorporate Windows Media DRM into its media player. After being authorized, the company is provided with a certificate, which can be revoked if their player is compromised. Windows Media DRM run–time software requires authentication of license applications before the license server serves packaged digital media files to the application. The authentication protocol also establishes a session key, which is used to protect the integrity and secrecy of the data exchanged between the run–time software and the media player.

Windows Media DRM individualizes the critical components of each run–time client. Individualization binds the run–time client to the computer on which the client was initially installed. Every consumer is given a different executable file and different certified license keys. This significantly reduces the danger of global breaks. If a specific DRM client becomes compromised, it can be barred from acquiring licenses for new digital media files.

Windows Media DRM supports revocation at several stages. First, the license server can crosscheck a list of compromised run–time clients and refuse service to those clients until they upgrade to a newer and more secure client. Second, it is also possible to revoke third–party applications that were previously enabled to work with Windows Media DRM, but which have since been compromised.

Yes. Renewability refers to the updating of DRM system components to enhance security. Windows Media DRM can be upgraded by a variety of triggers as Microsoft releases improved versions. These releases may be regular improvements in the overall security system or reactions to security threats. Content owners can also refuse to service requests from less secure clients unless the client upgrades or renews certain components.

All personal computer operating systems are vulnerable to attacks that seek to replace device drivers. For example, a digital media file is vulnerable to interception on the way to the sound driver after the file has been decrypted and downloaded from the DRM system to a media player. With the release of Secure Audio Path technology in Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition and Windows XP, the data path inside the operating system is protected during transfer from the media player to the sound card. This reduces attacks that are based on false plug–ins because these components only have access to encrypted data. A certified Microsoft component verifies that all downstream components (including the sound card driver) are also certified. It does not decrypt the data stream if it detects unauthorized or compromised components in the execution path.

All Windows Hardware Quality Labs (WHQL)–certified signed audio drivers for Windows XP support Secure Audio Path. For more information about WHQL–certified signed audio drivers, see the Windows Hardware and Driver Central page.

Microsoft has announced support for the following portable device companies:, Casio, Cirrus Logic, Creative, CVC Networks, Diamond, Digisette, DnC Tech, e.Digital, Hewlett Packard (Compaq), Hitachi, I–Jam, Iomega, Intel, MIPS Technologies , Nike, NTT DoCoMo, Olympus, Panasonic, Sanyo, Sensory Science, Sigmatel, Sonic Blue, Sony, Texas Instruments, and Thomson/RCA. Leading chip manufacturers have made Windows Media Format (with the Windows Media Audio codec and Windows Media Rights Manager) the most widely supported non–MP3 format.

Windows Media keeps the licenses separate from the digital media file. Customers are encouraged to back up packaged digital media files through traditional backup mechanisms. They should do this in the same way they back up any other data, such as their Microsoft Word documents and Excel spreadsheets.
If catastrophic hardware failures occur, Windows Media allows customers to back up licenses on one computer and restore them on other computers. A Microsoft fraud detection service helps ensure that the customer's backup/restore system is not abused by digital media pirates. Content owners can also disable the Microsoft backup and restore process and manage restores at their own clearance Web sites.

In order to control the use of digital content, the system generates a small script, known as a license, which is similar to a cookie but permits the use of content under a pre–defined set of rules. Once content is packaged for Rights Management, a license will always be required to "unlock" it for use. When a license distribution scheme is created, it is called a SKU. In effect, a content owner is distributing these SKUs and does so by setting up a system that incorporates different types of retail models.

To deliver on–demand or live content, Windows Media DRM can provide real–time encryption when creating content with Windows Media Encoder 9 Series. Using these two Windows Media technologies together, files can be simultaneously encoded and encrypted prior to delivery so that no content is ever unprotected. Applying innovative license terms that are provided by Windows Media DRM enables new business models for live DRM content.

Yes. Digital media files are maintained in a protected format at all times. This protected file can be freely shared between customers. When customers without a license attempt to access the shared digital media file, they are prompted to get a license for that digital media file by following the business rules specified at the hosting Web site. Acquiring a new license to play a super–distributed media file requires an active Web connection.

Yes. Licenses to play digital media files can specify start times, end times, and license duration limits. If customers with an expired license try to access a digital media file, they are directed back to the hosting Web site for another license. In Windows Media DRM, both start and expiration dates are supported, which creates great flexibility. For example, a digital media file could be distributed with a license that disables playback until the intended release date.

Yes. Windows Media DRM version 1 supports counted operations (a specified number of times a file can be played back) through distribution of multiple single–play licenses. Windows Media DRM 7 and later versions support counted operations in one license.

Yes. Windows Media DRM adds a right in the license to enable or disable copying to a portable device or portable media. When enabled, the packaged digital media file can be copied to a portable device or portable media. The license is bound to a unique ID on the portable device or media.

Yes. A packaged media file can be freely copied between computers; however, each computer that plays the packaged digital media file needs a separate license. The license server can be configured to restrict the number of licenses that it issues for any given copy.

Yes. Windows Media DRM has the ability to set the appropriate license right to «burn–to–CD». To copy a packaged Windows Media file onto a CD–ROM, the consumer must have a license that includes the right to do so. CD–ROM–copying applications are required to honor the rights set by the content owner and distributor. After content is copied to a CD–ROM, it is no longer packaged.

Third–party service providers provide e–commerce retailers with code to interface with Windows Media DRM. For a detailed list of third–party service providers, see our list of partners and providers.

Yes. For instance, consumers could acquire a movie with a single–play rental license. If they tried to play the movie a second time, they would be directed to a license clearing house or e–commerce Web site, where they may be presented with the option to purchase an unlimited playback license. In this case, the consumer downloads the digital media file only once but receives multiple licenses for that file.

Silent identification of users is not supported by the SDK due to privacy concerns, so the SDK does not hand out the client ID to the license server.

Windows Media Player has a DRM component built–in. You don't have to do anything to make it work with a Windows Media DRM content file. For files protected with Secure Audio Path, the client computer must be running either the Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition or Microsoft Windows XP operating system.

You can package the digital media files using Windows Media Rights Manager 10.1, the newly–released packager and license server. For Windows Media Player 6.4, you need to put a separate URL for version 1 license acquisition in the header. Windows Media Player 6.4 can use this URL to acquire a version 1 license for the content or this URL can point the user to an "upgrade Windows Media Player" page. The version 1 license has limited business model functionalities and lower security than later version licenses that are available to newer Windows Media Players. Windows Media Rights Manager 10.1 can issue all license versions.

Streaming Media Solution SMS 2.8 can be used for different purposes:

• Subscription Services (Purchase and Download Single Tracks). Consumers will be able to download tracks through their subscription and play as often as desired, the tracks will be linked to licenses that have start and end dates.
• Rental Services. For instance, consumers might rent a movie that allows them to begin viewing it anytime within 30 days, and for 24 hours once they start playing it.
• Video–on–Demand or Pay–Per–View Movies. Content can be viewed, licensed and played back through a customer's computer after he paid for viewing.
• Live DRM: Enjoying Concerts and Sports Events in Real Time. With our streaming on–demand software content owners can deliver protected live digital media content — such as news, rock concerts, or major sporting events — over the Internet as the events are happening, without requiring the content to be batched and saved first.
• Preview and Purchase Content. When streaming media software is integrated, a retail Web site can offer consumers the option to preview songs before buying them.
• One File, Different Licenses. With video–on–demand software consumers can be offered a choice of licenses when purchasing content (i.e. for 1 month of playing, for 3 months, etc.).
• Company Presentations: Protection of Sensitive Material. A company can protect sensitive digital media assets, such as recorded company presentations, and employees that are unable to attend a company meeting can view the taped presentation at a later time using the benefits of streaming media solution, a one–time license for the content is issued silently, and the video begins streaming.
• Distance Learning. A university can save videos of lectures and discussions and encrypt them by using Windows Media DRM so they can be streamed or downloaded to students' computers after the acquisition of a license. The student logs in, and a license is sent to his/her computer. The university uses the license as an attendance record and also for billing purposes.
• Provide video support FAQs and software updates to customers. Media files with FAQ lectures or prepaid software updates can be delivered to particular customers (with one–time license for the content silently issued).

Whenever a new license is obtained, it follows the rules assigned at the time of license acquisition. Changes to those rules will not affect existing licenses until they expire. However, any new licenses acquired after those changes will follow the new rules. A common example of this may include a price adjustment for content. If you decide to change the price for a piece of content, anyone who returns to re–license that content, will have to pay the new price reflected in the purchase.

Windows Media Rights Manager is highly scalable. The server components in Windows Media Rights Manager are implemented as COM–based objects, which provide great flexibility and scalability in creating a Windows Media DRM system for specific business models. In addition, Windows Media Rights Manager supports high–volume delivery of digital media files and licenses. Scalability features include the following:

• Protecting content
  A single server can encrypt over 500,000 music files per day. The high performance of the encryption algorithm used in Windows Media Rights Manager makes it possible for server administrators to frequently change encryption keys and/or re–encrypt a given digital media file frequently. A digital media file can be re–encrypted with a different key for each download.
• Issuing licenses
  Windows Media Rights Manager can scale to issue licenses. On a Pentium 4, 2.4 gigahertz, 256 megabytes of random access memory, dual–processor desktop, it can issue 22.33 licenses per second.

Windows Media Rights Manager uses standard Windows Media files, encrypting them in place. Therefore, any input source that can be converted to Windows Media Format can be used with Windows Media Rights Manager. Such sources include any analog or digital audio/video input that can be connected to a computer, raw waveform (WAV) and audio/video interleave (AVI) files, and direct encoding from CD.

Windows Media Rights Manager supports Windows Media Format, including Windows Media Audio format (with a .wma file name extension) and Windows Media Video format (with a .wmv file name extension).

Yes. You will put one copy on your server. Your customers will pay each time they watch this movie. You can define different payment schemes for your customers. Like pay per each watch, pay per each number of watches, pay each month etc.

Streaming service in based on Microsoft Media Streaming technology v.10 that is definitely the best solution for content distribution. It supports full–featured streaming with 'buffer', 'antifreeze', forward/rewind without full downloading etc. http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/default.mspx

Required Internet connection speed depends on content quality. For example, for the file encoded with parameters
Audio codec: Windows Media Audio 9.1, 96 kbps, 48 kHz, stereo 2–pass VBR
Video codec: Windows Media Video 9
Aspect Ratio: 4x3
Video size: 640 x 480
Bit rate: 596 Kbps
~600 Kbs are required.
Minimum PC requirements:
CPU 1Gz, any Video Card with more then 4 MB video RAM, Windows Media Player v.10 installed.

You can use any content with any level of quality (even HDTV). But a very high speed Internet connection bandwidth will be required for DVD quality. That is why by default system configured for 600 Kbs and 640x480 resolution. That is the quality of VideoCD.

Yes. We can organize such scheme of membership and payments for audio content. Your customers will pay a monthly fee and, as long as they are online, they can listen to as many songs as they like, and if they'd like to purchase a song to hear offline or download to an iPod, they just pay an extra fee.

Yes. But you can just calculate can pay monthly summary.

Yes. You have to make contracts with studios. At this case you will pay only to studios (rights owner fee will be included).

Our system is based on MS Windows Media technology. Microsoft released MS Media Player for MAC. This technology is also supported by HPC, portative video and audio players and many other devices.