News Corp's technology company NDS Group and Samsung Electronics have announced the integration of NDS' VideoGuard content protection software, as part of NDS Synamedia's broadband solution, into Samsung's SMT F240 IP set-top box (STB).

The deal with Samsung will expand the range of STB's now available to operators who want to deploy secure broadband IP services with the integration of NDS's industry leading content protection.

An official release states that having made a decision to deploy a broadband system, operators need to be certain that they can acquire compelling content and that this high value pay content will be secure from copying and redistribution.

NDS claims to be a world leader in content protection with over 29 million subscribers securing $11 billion in revenues. The NDS Synamedia solution allows operators to take broadband IP beyond Internet access- adding broadcast TV and video on demand (VOD) over broadband and offering consumers the best total interactive entertainment packaging. Synamedia includes content encryption using NDS VideoGuard for both television and VOD to prevent the "Napsterisation" of video content.

As the leading telecommunications vendor, Samsung's aim is to provide quality STB's with the most advanced functionalities to operators. The combination of NDS VideoGuard with its digital IP-based robust platform, will allow Samsung to offer a completely secure solution to operators broadcasting over xDSL or Ethernet networks, the companies claim.