1394 Trade Association Cites First Anniversary of DTCP Enhancements to Copy Protection

The 1394 Trade Association cited the first anniversary of the Digital Transmission Licensing Administrator’s enhancement of the DTLA’s Digital Transmission Content Protection technology, which fully supports localization over 1394. The enhancement has made the content protection standard for IEEE 1394 — known commercially as FireWire (a trademark of Apple, licensed to the 1394 Trade Association) — more secure than ever.

Digital Transmission Content Protection (DTCP), also known as ‘5C,’ defines a cryptographic protocol that protects audio and video content from unauthorized copying or tampering while it traverses high-performance digital networks. 1394 content protection using DTCP has been deployed in HDTV products for nine years. This continuously successful system was enhanced with the addition of ‘localization,’ a capability that ensures that two 1394 devices are in relatively close proximity to each other prior to sharing premium content across the network. Localization allows consumers to use 1394 devices freely in their homes and vehicles, while simultaneously preventing forwarding of protected content over long distances — such as across the Internet.

“This advance has been a major benefit to consumers using FireWire, because it improves the security of protected content moving via FireWire from set-top boxes, DVD and Blu-ray players, and recording devices such as PVRs,” said James Snider, executive director of the 1394 Trade Association. “IEEE 1394 provides an unbeatable combination of features for the distribution of multiple streams of HDTV content, including higher quality of service, longer distances, and more capable peer-to-peer operation than other technologies.”

The DTLA specification on localization in DTCP 1394 ensures that 1394 can be used reliably and safely to transmit all forms of digital content. The DTLA localization plan is completely transparent to users and prevents unauthorized use.

“We’re very pleased that localization has provided greater security to high-value content on high-speed digital network interfaces, such as IEEE 1394, and look forward to even greater adoption of DTCP-enabled transport technologies,” said Michael B. Ayers, president of DTLA.

The 1394 Trade Association is a worldwide organization dedicated to the advancement of the IEEE 1394 (FireWire) standard. The 1394 TA recently celebrated its 13th year of promoting 1394 and its one billionth 1394 port shipped. FireWire is used today in mass-market computer, entertainment, and professional products, and in a wide range of specialty applications such as music, defense, aerospace, industrial, and robotics products.