What is a CAM or conditional access module

A conditional access module (CAM) is an electronic device, usually incorporating a slot for a smart card, which equips an Integrated Digital Television or set-top box with the appropriate hardware facility to view conditional access content that has been encrypted using a conditional access system. They are normally used with direct-broadcast satellite (DBS) services, although digital terrestrial pay TV suppliers also use CAMs. PC TV Card form factor is used as the Common Interface form of Conditional Access Modules for DVB broadcasts.

The primary purpose of the Cam is to derive control words, which are short-term decryption keys for video. The effectiveness of a CAM depends on the tamper resistance of the hardware; if the hardware is broken, the functionality of the CAM can be emulated, enabling the content to be decrypted by non-subscribers. CAMs are normally removable so that they can be replaced after the hardware security is breached. Replacement of the CAMs in a system is called a card swap-out.

The standard format for a conditional access module is a PC TV card which takes a smart card to authenticate, although CAMs with the 'smart card' burnt into memory can be found. In addition, CAM emulators exist for many systems, either providing an interface to allow the use of more than one type of card, or a card not designed for that receiver.

Some encryption system for which CAMs are available are Logiways, Nagravision, Viaccess, Mediaguard, Irdeto, KeyFly, Verimatrix, Cryptoworks, Mascom, Safeview, Diablo CAM and Conax. NDS VideoGuard encryption, the preferred choice of Sky Digital TV card can only be externally emulated by a brand cam. Such as conax CAM module, Some digital boxes & TVs have a socket where you can plug in a CAM if you want to watch channels whose transmissions are encrypted. Most of CAMs are compatible with MPEG2 & MPEG4 Receivers.

What’s the difference between Common CAM and Professional CAM

There are two kind of conditional access modules available in the market: Common CAM module & Professional CAM module. The common module is often one channel while professional module can have multi-channels, like two channels, four channels, eight channels, etc. Most of the individual users would choose common CAM module when want to watch encrypted transmissions. Professional CAM module is intended for professional use. Most are applied in DVB test or industries.

ITI Neovision selects the Neotion CI Plus Conax module to boost HD Pay TV bouquet

Neotion, a French based provider of highly‐sophisticated processors (SoC) and Advanced CI & CI Plus Modules for Pay TV operators’ has been selected by ITI Neovision, a leading Polish DTH Pay TV operator as their exclusive supplier of CI Plus Conax Modules, for their HD satellite bouquet in Poland. The Neotion CI Plus Conax Chipset Pairing Modules will allow customers to receive the ITI Neovision Pay TV bouquet directly through a Digital Satellite (S2) TV without the need for a Set Top-Box or to be used in a legacy DVB-CI or CI Plus HD digital DVB-S & S2 receiver.

The Neotion Conditional Access Modules are designed using the latest Neotion secure processor. The NKE1 processor is the second Neotion chipset which has been assessed by Conax as “Conax STB Security Level 5”, being the highest security level currently available for the CAM market. The new CI Plus Conditional Access Modules fulfil all standards as required by CI Plus, Pay Tv Operators and CA providers to ensure optimised protection and delivery of HD content.

“Following in-depth research and evaluations, we have selected Neotion as a Conditional Access Module supplier due to their expertise within the secured CA Module market and as a existing supplier of quality CI Plus modules to others major Pay TV operators. As CI Plus IDTV’s become available on the Polish market our aim is to provide the consumer with the latest complimentary technology for easy access to our HD bouquet and Conditional Access Modules provide an efficient and economic solution.” said Artur Przybysz from ITI Neovision.

“We are very pleased that ITI Neovision has selected Neotion as an official supplier of Conditional Access Modules for their Polish HD Bouquet. Our Conditional Access Modules are simply inserted into the latest CI Plus flat screen televisions without the need for any cable connections. Due to their simple “Insert & Play” nature CAM’s are fast becoming the alternative solution to Set Top Boxes by providing the consumer with a functional and affordable solution operated through the existing single TV remote control. We are very proud to be able to offer IT Neovision’s customers a secure, efficient and innovative product” said Gregory Wieczorek, President & Director General, Neotion.

These CI Modules which provide an access to ITI Neovision satellite Pay TV HD channels packages will be commercially deployed by distributors within the next days in Poland.