Press release
Common Interface enables single technical standard fort he reception of all digital programmes
- AlphaCrypt CI complies with requirements of German state media authorities
- Decoding systems are shifted to Common Interface module
- Manufacturers can concentrate on the production of affordable CI receivers
- No need to buy a proprietary digital receiver for only one Pay-TV package
Unterbergen, 27. June 2006 – There is an increasing number of digital TV platforms available in the German-speaking regions of Europe, and this brings with it the proliferation of digital receivers that are not compatible with each other. The intention is to bind the viewer to the Pay-TV provider, thus making it difficult to switch to the competition. However, this is a development that is anything but consumer-friendly, since it would mean that one may need two or more proprietary receivers in the living room in order to view all the programmes one may wish to see.
Common Interface specialist Mascom provides proof that there is a user-friendly solution available, in the form of its AlphaCrypt module, which has been available since 2001. With just a single module, which can easily be inserted in the slot of any CI receiver available on the market, encrypted programmes from several digital TV platforms can be decoded simultaneously. Even AlphaCrypt modules purchased several years ago, can, with the benefit of regularly provided free software updates, provide reception of German Bundesliga (national soccer league) matches broadcast by Arena.
"Our AlphaCrypt module obviates the need for any increased technological requirements at the consumer’s expense", says Mascom general manager Heinz Gruber. "We have been complying with the demands of the German state media authorities for years now”. Today, AlphaCrypt modules are regarded as the „Swiss army knife“ in the field of German Pay-TV. These modules can even combine several decoding systems in a single unit - legally. This means that the frequent demand by programme providers to be limited to a single encryption system is unnecessary, and this would only lead to a single encryption system being used.
Shifting the decoding systems to the CI module also potentially holds significant benefits fort he manufacturers of receivers. In the past, every Pay-TV receiver was obliged to undergo time-consuming and costly certification tests. "In future, manufacturers could concentrate on the production of inexpensive CI receivers", says Heinz Gruber. "Viewers certainly no longer have any sympathy fort he use of proprietary digital receivers. It is about time the programme providers and platform operators accepted this".
This text as well as picture material is also available electronically on the Internet at www.mascom.de (Mascom section, Press). There is no charge for the use of this material, we merely request you send us two copies for our files.
About Mascom GmbH:
Mascom is a wholesale distributor, founded by Heinz Gruber in Augsburg/Germany in 1986. Since then, Mascom has developed continuously and has become a key player in the field of digital TV, based on its quality-driven philosophy. Mascom distributes the products of world-renowned manufacturers of satellite technology, including Nokia, SCM Microsystems, Topfield or Aston, in some cases as the exclusive distributor for Germany. The development of the Alphacrypt CI module has gained for the company a reputation as a high-tech developer. Mascom has also been particularly active since 1992 in the Czech Republic. Here, a joint subsidiary company has been established in co-operation with local partners, which distributes satellite technology products as well as producing its own brand of television sets under the "MASCOM" trademark. Other important sales areas include the Middle East, North Africa, Italy and the Scandinavian markets. The headquarters of the company has been located at Kirchstrasse 11 in Unterbergen (between Augsburg and Munich in Bavaria/Germany) since April 2002.
Contact: Media contact:
Mascom GmbH Hofmeir Media GmbH
Kirchstr. 11 Kranzhornstr. 3
D-86511 Unterbergen D-81825 Muenchen
Tel: 0049-(0)8233/7430-0 Tel.: 0049-(0)89/48951048
Fax: 0049-(0)8233/7430-200 Fax: 0049-(089)/4487505
www.mascom.de Juliane Metzner
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