MUMBAI: LG Electronics, Comcast and Nagravision jointly demonstrated advanced downloadable conditional access system (DCas) module technology for the first time at the recently concluded 2006 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES).

On the heels of its agreement with Cablelabs for DCas technology, LG is showcasing the flexibility and the interoperability of the system. According to Cablelabs, DCas offers a cost-effective, network agnostic, solution for interactive, two-way devices that connect to cable systems.

DCas allows the cable operator to manage, in an evolutionary way, the conditional access system modules of choice to devices connected to the cable network.

DCas technology is viewed by many as the next practical security solution for interactive cable applications for the US cable market. DCas matches a secure embedded chip in the receiver with renewable software security keys to access content. It is designed to operate with interactive cable set-top boxes as well as integrated DTVs (digital televisions with built-in set-top capabilities) and other retail devices that include a special security chip.

The benefits of DCas to consumers, cable operators and manufacturers include flexible content security that enables national portability and thus lowers the acquisition cost by not forcing the purchase of a specific set-top box or DTV solution for each operator's system. LG says that DCas is a compelling security solution that will help enable nationwide interoperability of advanced two-way cable services.

DCas LG says, benefits CE manufacturers by lowering material costs and reducing entry barriers in the digital cable receiver equipment market. LG says that the demonstration shows its commitment to working with industry partners to introduce CE innovation and offer more consumer choices in next generation two-way devices.

Nagravision points out that the worldwide retail market is a new and rapidly growing segment where Nagravision has proven to be a leader in Europe including France, Germany, Italy with millions of deployed units during the last three years. The company says that it was pleased to have demonstrated the flexibility of its conditional access (CA) architecture in downloading interoperable CA client software into interoperable set top boxes and integrated DTV's from LG.

Nagravision adds that the technology demonstration illustrated its flexibility in quickly developing a prototype CA client that runs in a interoperable environment, Furthermore, it showcased Nagravision's skills developed over 16 years in managing security and viewing rights and licenses to the more than 57 million subscribers in open-market systems worldwide already using Nagra's CA and DRM technology. Through cooperation with LG the company says that it believes that it can leverage its success in the retail market in other countries to open the US cable as a retail market.