SCM Microsystems and Samsung have announced the successful demonstration of a platform that will enable Korean cable operators to deliver a variety of video, voice and data services to their subscribers.

The OpenCable DOCSIS set top gateway (DSG) includes a set-top box developed by Samsung and a removable Cablecard module developed by SCM. Both of them are based on the OpenCable specifications for digital television broadcasting. Korea has adopted the OpenCable specifications, which were developed for the US cable market, to deliver digital television content to between six and nine million subscribers over the next five years.

An official release informs that the OpenCable DSG demonstrated by SCM and Samsung allows Korean cable operators to deliver video, data and voice services. This is what the industry calls a "triple play" over the same cable channel. Depending on their choices operators can offer digital video broadcasting, interactivity for programme selection, pay-per-view and other video services, voice over IP for telephone service, electronic programme guides, and Internet data access.

SCM Microsystems has stated that the OpenCable DSG architecture provides a way to deliver interactive two-way digital television and other services on the same cable modem network. In combination with SCM's Cablecard module, set-top boxes such as Samsung's will make these new services economical to deploy and easy for consumers to securely access and enjoy.

The two parties worked together to develop and demonstrate an OpenCable DSG system for Korean cable operators. Based on the DOCSIS set-top Gateway Interface Specification developed by Cablelabs Samsung developed a set-top box that can communicate with Korea's existing Cable Networks to receive information such as conditional access entitlements and electronic programme guides adds the release.

The set-top can also relay information to the head end to interactively enable the immediate delivery of many other applications and services and opens up a path to add even more capabilities in the future. SCM developed the Cablecard module for the system, which must be inserted into the set-top box to authenticate the subscriber and decrypt authorised content. Formerly known as a Point of Deployment module, the Cablecard device allows cable operators to protect their broadcast content from piracy or unauthorized access.

California headquartered SCM Microsystems supplies solutions that open the digital world by enabling people to conveniently access digital content and services. The company markets its smart card reader technology for network and physical access and conditional access modules for secure digital TV decryption to OEM customers in the government, financial, enterprise and broadcasting markets worldwide.

Samsung Electronics claims to be a global leader in semiconductor, telecommunication, and digital convergence technology.