VCPS
Protected video recording for the DVD+RW system. 
What is VCPS?
VCPS is an innovative technology for encrypting video recordings on DVD+R and DVD+RW discs. Designed to protect recordings of digital broadcast according to the Broadcast Flag rules adopted by the United States Federal Communications Commission (FCC), VCPS also enables direct digital recording of 'copy-once' content from satellite and cable sources.
What is the Broadcast Flag?
The 'Broadcast Flag' is a digital code that can be embedded into an ATSC digital broadcasting stream in the USA. The Broadcast Flag does not affect the consumers' possibilities for making digital copies; the Broadcast Flag only seeks to prevent mass distribution over the Internet. In practice that means that the recorded video must be encrypted, and that the encrypted recordings will play only on equipment that does not make the content available to the Internet.
Why do you need VCPS?
On 4 November 2003, the United States FCC published its decision on the Broadcast Flag, meaning that after 1 July 2005, digital video recorders in the United States will have to encrypt recorded TV broadcasts that carry the flag. In Japan, a similar regulation already requires the encrypted recording of digital TV broadcast signals.
The implementation of VCPS in DVD+R/+RW equipment and discs is not mandatory, but equipment and discs without VCPS capability will be unable to record or playback TV broadcast in the USA that is protected with the Broadcast Flag.
How do you add VCPS capability to your product?
Adding VCPS capability to DVD+R/+RW equipment and discs is straightforward. Manufacturers of blank DVD+R and DVD+RW media simply need to place VCPS-related information in the ADIP (Address-in-Pregroove) of their discs, which can be done without investing in new manufacturing equipment and without increasing manufacturing cost. Manufacturers of optical drives can add VCPS capability in firmware. Manufacturers of DVD+RW recorders and DVD players need to add an implementation of the publicly available AES cipher in their MPEG decoder ICs.
Why should you choose VCPS?
- VCPS-capable discs can be manufactured without change in the disc manufacturing process.
- No increase in the manufacturing costs of blank DVD+R/RW discs.
- IC manufacturers can supply VCPS-capable IC without restrictions.
- Implementers of VCPS-capable software do not have to pay a per-installation royalty.
- No annual fees for implementers of the VCPS technology. Implementers only pay for the actual use of keys and key blocks.
More background information about VCPS is available in this brochure:
More information about the Broadcast Flag
For any remaining questions or comments contact: info.licensing@philips.com
