Protecting Audio Content with PallyCon Multi-DRM – Part 2
In the last post, we found out the historical background and the need for audio DRM. In this post, we will learn to more about Protecting content with Multi-DRM.
Protecting audio content with Multi-DRM
What is ‘Multi-DRM’?
The early-stage DRM solutions were provided by each DRM vendor in the form of an embedded DRM or client SDK supporting a limited range of devices, using a proprietary single DRM specification. ‘Multi-DRM’ differs from ‘Single DRM’ in that multiple DRMs(PlayReady, Widevine, FairPlay) are provided by major platforms(browser or OS) and applied to content by a standardized specification.
Multi-DRM is applied to DASH or HLS type content according to the supported target platform. In the case of DASH contents, PlayReady and Widevine DRM that support MPEG CENC(Common Encryption) are used. To support Multi-DRM on Apple platforms such as macOS and iOS, you must apply FairPlay DRM to a separate HLS content. That is, you need to generate and serve two DRM contents(DASH and HLS) for one original content.
Figure 9. Microsoft PlayReady, Google Windevine, Apple FairPlay
Multi-DRM and web browser support
Traditional ‘single DRM’ solutions required the use of a separate browser plug-in, such as `Flash`, to protect the audio/video content played in a web browser. However, due to various security and performance issues, plug-in support in web browsers is being discontinued. So plug-in based DRM solutions are disappearing from the market.
One of the benefits of multi-DRM is that you can play DRM content in a web browser without a separate plug-in. You can support DRM content playback on most platforms with a single web application, without having to develop native applications for each client platform, such as PC and mobile.
Information on supported DRM and content types by platform and browser are listed in the table below.
How to apply Multi-DRM to audio content
MP3 format is mainly used for downloading and streaming services of DRM-free audio content. However, in order to apply Multi-DRM, you must package MP4 audio (M4A) format source instead of MP3 format and convert it to DASH or HLS streaming format.
Basically, audio content can be packaged in the same way as DRM packaging for video content, and content playback in a web browser can be supported through HTML5-based player solutions just like video content.
It takes a lot of manpower and time to implement these complex processes such as Multi-DRM packaging, DRM key/license management, and player integration. By using a DRM SaaS(Solution as a Service) such as PallyCon Multi-DRM from INKA Entworks, DRM can be applied easily with reduced time and cost.
PallyCon Multi-DRM Cloud
PallyCon Multi-DRM is a cloud based SaaS(Solution as a Service) product. With PallyCon Multi-DRM service, complex Multi-DRM technology can be applied easily and quickly to support various platforms and environment.
Figure 10. PallyCon Multi-DRM
To apply DRM to content services, it is necessary to package the content in a format (DASH, HLS) that multi-DRM supports. PallyCon Multi-DRM supports various packaging methods such as Command Line Interface(CLI) type packager, commercial encoder/transcoder solution integration, and cloud-based packaging service.
Figure 11. Multi-DRM license issuance
DRM content that has been packaged is delivered to the user’s device through the Content Delivery Network(CDN) such as AWS CloudFront and Akamia. When the content usage right is confirmed, the content key for playback is delivered to the device.
PallyCon Multi-DRM provides HTML5 player integration specification and guide for browser playback. It also provides API specification and SDK to support mobile devices such as Android and iOS or various OTT client devices.
With these solutions provided by PallyCon Multi-DRM, content service providers can easily and quickly protect their contents with simple integration. If you have a content service built on AWS Cloud Platform such as AWS Media Service you can get the benefit of one-stop billing by subscribing PallyCon Multi-DRM Cloud product on AWS Marketplace.
Cases of PallyCon Multi-DRM for audio content
PallyCon Multi-DRM service has already been applied to NAVER AudioClip and Influencial welaaa services which are mentioned in the introduction.
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Naver has not only the AudioClip service but also VLIVE which is a global star internet broadcasting platform and Series(former NAVER N store movie) service. Naver Built an integrated content security system based on PallyCon Cloud service and PallyCon Client SDK. Customized license issuance processing has been applied to support various user authentication methods of Naver. And PallyCon cloud service smoothly handles traffic originating from a large user base by auto-scaling.
Welaaa service, which is a knowledge content platform that is operated by Influencial also protects audio/video contents such as lecture videos and audio-books using PallyCon Multi-DRM service.
Summary
As described in the introduction, the sustenance and development of the audio content ecosystem require the production of quality content and a revenue model to support it.
PallyCon Multi-DRM is a Cloud SaaS for content protection, and it can easily and quickly apply to not only video but also audio content to protect the business model of content service.
You can download the white paper to read the full text of this article.
References
1. Video Streaming Now Makes Up 58% of Internet Usage Worldwide
2. The Myth of DRM-Free Music, Revisited
3. PallyCon Multi-DRM Cloud on AWS Market Place
Naver Audioclip and Influential welaaa’s audio contents are protected by PallyCon Multi-DRM. Find out details!
Daniel is a DRM specialist and has been associated with this industry for over 10 years. Other than this, he is addicted to reading and writing.
