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"Pretty sure"? Google doesn't agree, in fact I can't find any proof or even discussion of what OS the Sky+ box uses. Under the hood it's an XTV device, which runs, according to XTV "IXI-Connect OS(TM)".

According to NDS's CEO, Adi Shamir (the S of RSA) is still payed by NDS for consulting work.

Source: http://www.nds.com/worldvision/sixteen/pdfs/Abe_Peled_Interview.pdf

Just tracked down a USA Today article that names the company as NDS. Article URL is
http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/technolog y/2004-11-29-dvr_x.htm
Company URL is
http://www.nds.com/personal_tv/personal_tv.html

"since Sky will *never* release the details of their encryption to *anyone*"

This is true, NDS , who are contracted to provide sky with its encryption systems, have never (and most likely will never) release any details in any way regarding any part of the crypto. But, a number of details are known about the encryption scheme as gleaned from patent documents and the such:

Sky is using the videoguard encryption which (so I am told) uses an industry standard scrambling algorithm called the CSA. (see http://csa.irde.to/). The algorithm is known and if the keys are known, the stream can be (and has been) easily decrypted. This is where the problem lies - the encryption relies not on the complexity of the algorithm or in secure distribution of keys but instead the algorithm used to generate the keys (done by your viewing card), as this is much more suited to a many-to-one service, such as content distribution. The key generation algorithm uses a closed and extremely complex algorithm and although the keys can be intercepted, they are practically impossible to predict. So even if this key generation algorithm was cracked (rumours suggest that in the past it has been) the broadcaster could easily encrypt the streams using a new algorithm and new viewing cards issued quickly, thus preventing free tv to any wanabee hackers.

Any broadcaster who uses NDS Videoguard CA in their decoders will not allow their control over the material to be compromised by copying it to a non-CA external device. NDS have a "Secure Video Processor" plan (http://nds.com/conditional_access/svp.html) that they will insist must be implemented in the mobile PVR before they will export material to it, or even allow the USB port to be enabled.

People don't understand that a broadcaster's CA'ed PVR is not the same as a build-it-yourself PVR. The latter is not comparable because it is not built for the same purpose. In the world of mobile PVRs "trusted computing" is already a reality because, if its not, then CA'ed material is not available to it. In this context the broadcast flag is just a FTA issue.

K

> Think NSA

A friend of mine works at NDS (they develop smart card technology for, amonng others, DirecTV).

She told me that a part of her hiring process was a (voluntary) polygraph test.

> Think NSA

A friend of mine works at NDS (they develop smart card technology for, amonng others, DirecTV).

She told me that a part of her hiring process was a (voluntary) polygraph test.

Now I can *finally* add support for my ATSC datacasting product to Linux. If you're in San Diego (KPBS), Washington DC (WETA), Kentucky (KET), or Michigan (Station name escapes me), you should be able to pick up this emergency information / weather imaging data feed.

Although the consumer broadband landscape is hardly a profitable area in today's business environment, the DirecTV unit's death could not be chalked up to slim margins alone. Just as they have utterly failed to prevent the theft of their premium television channels, DirecTV had placed little or no access control on their broadband network. I know this for a fact because I know of no fewer than five people who are able to get internet service from DirecTV for free, with some slightly modified equipment. Obviously, hiring a bunch of half wits to secure your network does not help the matter.

In the UK BSKYB have licensed the TiVo technology to make their Sky+ boxes.

"NDS Group plc, a leading provider of conditional access systems and interactive applications for digital TV, and Moxi Digital, Inc. (formerly Rearden Steel Technologies, Inc.), a developer of advanced platforms and products for enhanced home entertainment, today announced a strategic relationship. The companies plan to deliver cable and satellite providers with an open, secure and revenue-generating platform for the home.
As part of the agreement, NDS will provide its Open VideoGuardTM conditional access security solution for integration into Moxi's advanced home entertainment platform, the Moxi Media Center (the Moxi MC, for short.) This new platform is designed as a flexible, alternative solution to the expensive, limited capability digital set-top boxes available to broadband network operators today. NDS' conditional access, which secures over 25 million digital Pay-TV set-top boxes worldwide, enables safe, secure consumer TV services and transactions and enables MSOs and satellite providers to build revenue-generating T-commerce applications.
The Moxi Media Center functions as a multimedia gateway for the home, enabling new revenue streams through the delivery of advanced services such as multi-TV personal video recording (PVR), cached video-on-demand (VOD), and whole-home digital music distribution. Moxi and NDS will work together to build full support for such next-generation services onto the NDS conditional access system. ....etc..."

NDS do the subscription security for satellite broadcasters to stop people watching what they haven't paid for. So yes, it will be pay-to-view, pay-to-listen, pay-to-record, pay-to-anything. Quick, buy that NDS stock!