The Video Content Protection System (VCPS) is a
standard for
digital rights management
Digital rights management (DRM) is the management of legal access to digital content. Various tools or technological protection measures (TPM) such as access control technologies can restrict the use of proprietary hardware and copyrighted works. ...
, intended to enforce protection or
DVD+R/+RW content and related media.
It was designed to protect video recordings
broadcast terrestrially with the
broadcast flag
A broadcast flag is a bit field sent in the data stream of a digital television program that indicates whether or not the data stream can be recorded, or if there are any restrictions on recorded content. Possible restrictions include the inabili ...
used for
digital high-definition programming, but its use has been expanded to
cover programming obtained in other ways, such as via
cable and
satellite delivery. This standard is promoted by
Philips and is included in latest Scsi MMC-6 specification.
The system makes use of three different classes of encryption key, one type stored on the media
in a "Disc Key Block", one stored in player software, and one in any hardware device
that will be used to play (and hence decrypt) the media.
HP and Phillips Proposal
Hewlett-Packard and Philips have "discussed how they are trying to develop a content-protection system for DVDs, designed to protect users from burning 'protected' DTV broadcasts."
Existing DVD players would not be able to read DVDs which incorporate the technology.
References
External links
Philips VCPS page, includes VCPS specificationSCSI MultiMedia Command Set - 6 (MMC-6), includes VCPS-specific commands
Compact Disc and DVD copy protection
Digital rights management standards
High-definition television
Philips
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