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Overview
Verimatrix Video Content Authority System (VCAS) provides a digital TV security solution for Pay TV services, that is used to stream content to Pay-Per-Channel (PPC) or Video-On-Demand (VOD) based subscriptions.
CRM.COM provides a ready-made implementation with Verimatrix OMI through:
- VCAS OMI ADMIN module which serves as a 'Content Management System' (CMS) where new content, events and packages can be created in CRM.COM and made available for all VCAS OMI networks.
- VCAS OMI (DVB) provisioning module which is primarily responsible for handling the activation and deactivation of signals transmitted to devices.
Major features
- Integration to VCAS OMI DVB network and VCAS OMI CMS
- Activation and deactivation of subscriptions is handled at real-time as soon as the action takes place
- Option to manage subscriptions out of sync through a batch process or through a utility for a single subscription
- Send messages to all subscriber devices which can be displayed on the screen (OSM) or available in the device inbox.
- Usage of utilities to handle one subscription at a time:
- Synchronize subscription information on the CAS/OTT side (new or deleted services, activate or deactivate services).
- Send a message to the subscriber device which can be displayed on the screen (OSM) or available in the device inbox.
- Reset PIN on subscriber's device.
- Option to archive old provisioning requests. For more information refer to Utilities
Using VCAS OMI
- Set up services available through VCAS networks in CRM.COM. Content, events and packages must be created
- VCAS OMI DVB implementation submits requests to VCAS system at real-time
- Subscription actions update subscription provisioning state in CRM.COM and if associated with a change that should be also executed in VCAS, a request is constructed using VCAS commands and sent to VCAS.
- Subscription changes taking place during a downtime of VCAS system, or any other communication issues between CRM.COM and VCAS, use a reset run to identify all subscriptions that require update, construct a request using VCAS commands and send to VCAS.
Setting Up VCAS OMI Admin
Before you start using VCAS implementation make sure that you set up your products /channels through the VCAS OMI ADMIN
Connection Settings
CAS OMI Connection Settings are used by all VCAS OMI Networks to establish a connection to the main VCAS OMI platform. Navigate to Connection Settings and EDIT to provide the following information which is mandatory:
- Endpoint
- Username
- Password
Content
VCAS Content is media assets such as movies or broadcasting channels. New Content can be created in CRM.COM and made available via predefined VCAS OMI networks. Once the content is created, it is used to create Events. By creating Events, a one to one relationship is defined between a single piece of content on a specific network and a timeframe of availability. Existing Content, i.e. Content that is already in VCAS can be accessed and used by CRM.COM.
The table describes the sections of Content Data Entry page, and explains how the fields in the page are used.
Mandatory Configurable
Content Information | ||
---|---|---|
Existing Content cannot be edited. Content ID: A unique identifier for the Content. This value is generated automatically and can be modified. Description Tag: A tag related with the Content. | All | |
Network Content Information Defines information related to the association of the Content and the network that it belongs to | ||
Basic | This information is read-only for existing Content. Network: The network related to the Content. This information is retrieved through VCAS OMI and displayed in a select box. Content Type: The type of the Content which can either be DTV (Broadcast TV Content) or VOD (Video-on-Demand) Network Content ID: This information is always equal to the Content ID. | All |
Output Control | Raw: An unformatted (raw) output control descriptor. | DVB |
Security | VideoMark Mode: Enable to activate VideoMark mode VideoMark Strength: Override the value for the default VideoMark strength setting when the VideoMark is enabled. The valid values are from 0 to 100. | DVB |
CL+ | Image Constrained: Enable to "downres" High Definition (HD) to Standard resolution (SD) on analogue output. Redistribution: Enable for redistribution control of the Content. Digital Only: Enable to set the video mode of the output to digital. Encryption Mode: The available CL Plus encryption mode options are:
Analogue Protection: The available CL Plus analogue protection mode options are:
Retention Limit: Retention limit of the recording and/or time shift of this Content on a subscriber’s PVR. The retention limit is defined by a day (integer number) and an hour which can be '0', '6', '12' or '24' | DVB |
Optional | Parental Rating: The rating level of the Content. Valid values are from 1 to 255. Fingerprint Message: A message to be displayed during fingerprinting | DVB |
Associated Events | ||
Provides a list of all the Events which are associated with the specific Content. Events determine the availability period for specific content and for a specific Network. The content must be saved before you are allowed to add Associated Events Actions
Events:
| All |
Events
Events determine the availability period for specific content and for a specific Network and are only accessible via the Modify Content Data Entry page. The Events Data Entry page is used to create new events or to view and modify existing ones. Events can then be grouped into Packages and provisioned to subscribers.
Navigate to VCAS OMI Content and explore existing entries via the Summary page. Click on a Content entry to go to the Data Entry page and edit to associate or disassociate Events. Go to Associated Events section and select respective actions.
- Create New Event to open a modal window to create a new Event that will be associated with the specific Content then continue by adding them to a Package via the dedicated screen.
- Create Package to open a modal window to create a new Package that will be associated with the selected Events. This action can be applied to multiple Events.
- Delete Events to delete a selected Event. This action can be applied to multiple Events.
The table describes the sections of Event Data Entry page, and explains how the fields in the page are used.
Mandatory Configurable
Main Setup | All | |
---|---|---|
This information is read-only for existing events. Network ID: Set automatically based on the network specified on the related content Network Content ID : Set automatically based on the related content. Event ID: A unique identifier for the Event. This value is generated automatically and can be modified by the user. Start Time: The start date / time of the event. End Time: The end date / time of the event. | All | |
Additional Setup | ||
Optional | This information is read-only for existing events. Parental Rating: The rating level of the Content. Valid values are from 1 to 255. Fingerprint Message: A message to be displayed during fingerprinting Exclusive: Enable to define event as exclusive
| DVB |
CL+ | Encryption Mode: The available CL Plus encryption mode options are:
Analogue Protection: The available CL Plus analogue protection mode options are:
Image Constrained: Enable to "downres" High Definition (HD) to Standard resolution (SD) on analogue output. Redistribution: Enable for redistribution control of the content. Digital Only: Enable to set the video mode of the output to digital. Retention Limit: Retention limit of the recording and/or time shift of this content on a subscriber’s PVR. The retention limit is defined by a day (integer number) and an hour which can be '0', '6', '12' or '24' | DVB |
VideoMark | VideoMark Mode: Enable to activate VideoMark mode VideoMark Strength: Override the value for the default VideoMark strength setting when the VideoMark is enabled. The valid values are from 0 to 100. | DVB |
Output Control | Raw: An unformatted (raw) output control descriptor. | DVB |
Associated Packages | ||
Provides a list of all the packages which are associated with the specific event. The results can be filtered by specifying the Package ID. Package ID & Description of the retrieved Package. | All |
Packages
Packages are groups of one or more Events that are offered to subscribers. i.e. CRM.COM termed service.
Through CRM.COM Mappings section you can map a package to a CRM.COM service
- Use Add Existing to select an existing CRM.COM service and map it to the package.
- Use Add New Service to create a new service in CRM.COM and map it to the package.
The table describes the sections of Packages Data Entry page, and explains how the fields in the page are used.
Mandatory Configurable
Main Setup |
---|
Package ID: A unique identifier for the package which is generated automatically and can be modified. Description |
DVB Parameters |
Defines a set of parameters which are required for DVB Packages. Device Type ID: Select the devices to be supported. By default, all of them are supported
Feature ID: Select the features supported for the package
|
CRM.COM Mapping |
Lists all the CRM.COM services which are mapped to this package (i.e. provisioned by a VCAS OMI Provider and assigned to the same Package ID). CRM.COM services can be mapped to this package through the following actions:
On adding an existing service, it is also added to the related provisioning provider (for example, VCAS OMI DVB) service mappings along with the package ID which is set as the service CA ID. Existing rows cannot be modified through this screen. The existing CRM.COM service mappings should be modified through the related provisioning provider screen. Provider: The related Provisioning Provider. (i.e. VCAS OMI -DVB) Service: The related CRM.COM Service. |
Associated Events |
A list of Events that are associated with the package. Existing events can be added or removed from a package through the following actions:
Event ID: A unique identifier for the Event. This value is generated automatically and can be modified by the user. Start Time: The start date / time of the event. End Time: The end date / time of the event. |
Setting Up VCAS OMI DVB
Provisioning provider
Once content, events and packages are created in admin, set up the VCAS DVB provider to start working with the DVB network
In the Provisioning Provider you can provide the parameters necessary to access the CA/OTT platform and map the CRM.COM services and physical goods to be provisioned.
Provider fields
The table describes the sections of Provisioning Provider Data Entry page, and explains how the fields in the page are used.
Mandatory Configurable
Main Information | |
---|---|
Povider Information | Name and Alternative Code of the provider Provisioning Protocol: The protocol of the provider you would like to set up and use. Life Cycle State: A 'Not Effective', state denotes that commands will not be sent to the CA/OTT platform. |
Connection Parameters | The parameters which are required to connect and use VCAS OMI DVB Network. SMS Network ID: The SMS Network ID that is used to identify the VCAS OMI DVB Network, since VCAS has multiple Networks. Test Connection: A button that can be used to verify if the connection settings are correct and if a connection to VCAS OMI DVB Network can be established. |
On Screen Messages Default Settings | The default settings used when sending OSM messages. Character Set Encoding: The encoding used by the Web Services; defaults to UTF-8 if not specified. Message Display Mode: Defines the different supported modes for displaying on-screen messages, listed below:
Display Duration: The duration for which the OSM remains visible, specified in seconds with valid values from 0 to 65535. The default value is 0, in which case the OSM remains displayed until removed by the user. xOrigin: The origin of the x-axis values of the OSM which can be left (ORIGL) or right (ORIGR) xPosition: The screen x coordinate of the message relative to xOrigin, with valid values from 0 (default) to 4095. xAnchor: The horizontal anchor point of the OSM. The supported values are center (CENTER) or left to right (AUTOLR). yOrigin:The origin of the y-axis values of the OSM which can be top (ORIGTOP) or bottom(ORIGDWN). yPosition: The screen y coordinate of the message relative to the value in yOrigin, with valid values from 0 (default) to 1023. yAnchor : The vertical anchor point of the OSM. which can be center (CENTER) or automatic top to down (AUTOTD ) textAlign: The OSM text alignment which can be 'LEFT,' 'RIGHT', 'CENTER', or 'JUST' bgColor : The background color settings of the OSM specified as a value from 0 (default) to 15 where 0 equals to no background color. alpha: The Alpha blending settings of the OSM specified as a value from 0 (no transparency) to 15 (most transparency). |
Devices Settings | |
Defines settings which control the provisioning rules that will be applied to DVB devices Enable STB - Smartcard Pairing: Defines whether STBs of Type STB (DVB) STB and Smartcards of Type STB (DVB) SC should be paired. Note that pairing is not applicable for any other Type of devices. Pairing is 'enabled' by default. | |
Services | |
A list of services which can be provisioned through VCAS OMI DVB Provider. At least one Service mapping is needed if the Provider is 'Effective'. Service SMS Package ID: The SMS Package ID as specified on VCAS OMI DVB. If the VCAS OMI connection settings are configured, a link becomes available that can be used to search for already existing packages that might exist on the VCAS OMI platform. The search link should also be available in Usage Service Catalogs, if the catalogue is provisioned by VCAS OMI DVB Provisioning Provider and the VCAS OMI connection settings are configured. | |
Physical Goods
| |
Device Mapping | A list of physical goods which can be provisioned through VCAS OMI DVB Provider. A list of traceable physical good types which will be used as devices. At least one device mapping is needed if the Provider is 'Effective'. Devices should be mapped in one of the categories available in the sub-sections. The Network Device ID is used as the OMI Device Identifier, which is represented by the Installed Item alternative code. |
STB DVB SC | DVB Smartcard device. Used for receiving content in Smartcard based DVB set-top-boxes. |
STB DVB STB | DVB set-top-box device with integrated conditional access and Smartcard slot. Used only for pairing with Smartcard devices (STB_DVB_SC) and cannot be entitled to any content. This type of set-top box always requires a Smartcard to perform content decryption; it cannot be entitled to content directly as content is entitled to Smartcard (STB_DVB_SC) devices. The only reason to add this type of device to the OMI is for pairing purposes. If the pairing of devices is not required, this type of device should not be added to the OMI. |
STB DVB NSC1 | DVB device is receiving content through a DVB satellite, cable, or terrestrial interface using one-way conditional access with Smartcard-less software security version 0 or 1. |
STB DVB NSC2 | DVB device is receiving content through a DVB satellite, cable, or terrestrial interface using one-way conditional access with Smartcard-less software security version 2. |
Provisioning Distributors | |
Distributors are used to relate services and devices (installed items) of a subscription to the provisioning provider. Multiple distributors on a subscription represent multiple viewing points with same or different services available from each device. For example, in a pay-tv subscription, two distributors can represent
Create the distributors which can be provisioned through the provider. At least one provisioning distributor is required for a provider to be 'Effective'. ADD a new distributor and provide the related information in the modal | |
Main Information | Name & Alternative Code for the provisioning distributor. |
Allowed Services | Defines a list of services which can be distributed by the distributor. This is used as a filter once the distributor is selected when adding subscription services to a subscription. Two options are supported:
The services that can be added are filtered and validated against the services that can be provisioned by the related provisioning, defined in the Services section. |
Restrictions | Minimum and Maximum optional and mandatory service restrictions control the number of services that can be added to the distributor. Restrictions Per Service Type: Define minimum and maximum number of services allowed to be added to the distributor, from specific service types Restrictions Per Physical Good Type: Define minimum and maximum number of installed items allowed to be added to the distributor, from specific physical good types |
Dependencies | Service dependencies define services, service types, physical goods or physical good types that must be added to the distributor, if enabled.
|
Related configuration areas
Mandatory modules must be configured for the provisioning module to work.
Manual Link | Area | Description | Configuration |
---|---|---|---|
Products |
| Configure the physical good and service types, and the physical goods and services that will be offered to subscriptions, by adding them to the provisioning provider. | Mandatory |
Communications | Communication Queue External System | Set up the external system that will be used to handle mail messages created for the provider. | Optional |
Handling Subscriptions Through Batch Processes
Billing > Provisioning > VCAS OMI
Resetting subscriptions out of sync
Billing > Provisioning > Common Services > Perform Reset Subscription Runs
Reset subscription runs are used to identify and synchronize subscriptions that have gone out of sync, by communicating the necessary commands to the CA/OTT platform. It is possible to preview the subscriptions that will be reset by the run, by using Preview from the Actions menu.
The table describes the sections of Reset Subscription Runs Data Entry page and explains how the fields in the page are used.
Mandatory Configurable
Main Information | |
---|---|
Provisioning Protocol: Select an effective provisioning provider to synchronize with CRM.COM. | |
Criteria (optional) (Used to identify the subscriptions that should be reset) | |
Subscription Creation Period: Define the period during which the subscriptions to be processed were created (otherwise, all subscriptions will be processed). Subscription Types that should be included in the run. |
Sending OSM messages
Mail runs are used to send messages to subscriber devices. The messages can be displayed in the set-top box (STB) mailbox or directly on the screen (once or repeatedly).
Messages can be scheduled to appear as soon as they are sent or at a specific time.
The process run does not create the messages; the messages are created in the system as communications (through notifications) and remain 'Pending' in the communication queue until the mail run is executed. The mail run identifies the communications that should be handled by matching each entry in the communication queue 'Communication Queue External System' with one defined in the mail run.
The table describes the sections of OSM Messages Run Definition Data Entry page, and explains how the fields in the page are used.
Mandatory Configurable
Main Information | |
---|---|
Name & Alternative Code | |
Input Settings | |
Communication Queue External System: The Communication Queue External System that will be used to identify which 'Pending' Communications must be processed by the Run. Message Display Mode: Defines the different supported modes for displaying on-screen messages, listed below:
Defaults to the Message Display Mode specified by the Provisioning Provider. Display Duration: The duration for which the OSM remains visible, specified in seconds with valid values from 0 to 65535. The default value is 0, in which case the OSM remains displayed until removed by the user.
|
Handling a subscription through a utility
Billing > Provisioning > VCAS OMI
Utilities used to handle specified subscriptions.
Set device PIN
Resets the PIN of a single STB, either to its default value or to a value specified by the user.
Define the smartcard on which the reset will be performed. If you are resetting to a 'New Value' then you must also provide the new PIN, else the new PIN is reset to '1234'
Reset single subscription
Updates an out of sync subscription, so that the provider reflects the state in CRM.COM.
Send OSM
Sends on-screen or inbox messages to a subscriber device.
.Start by selecting the Type of text to be sent and provide the rest of the required information Unlike Message Runs, no Communication is related to messages that are sent through the utility as the text to be included in the message is provided through the utility.
Main Information |
---|
Communication Queue External System: The Communication Queue External System that will be used to identify which 'Pending' Communications must be processed by the Run.
Defaults to the Message Display Mode specified by the Provisioning Provider. Display Duration: The duration for which the OSM remains visible, specified in seconds with valid values from 0 to 65535. The default value is 0, in which case the OSM remains displayed until removed by the user. Defaults to the display duration specified by the Provisioning Provider. Type: The type of the message that will be sent, which can be one of the following:
Set Top Box that will receive the message ( mandatory only if the Type is set to 'Device'.) Text: The message that will be sent. (cannot be larger than 160 bytes.) |
VCAS OMI requests
The table below displays the CRM.COM processes and actions that trigger the requests sent to VCAS, as well as the parameters sent for each request.
Request | Usage | Triggered By |
---|---|---|
Add Domains | Add a new domain to VCAS OMI DVB Network. Domain maps to a distributor in CRM.COM | Subscription reset run Reset subscription utility Subscription Actions
Service Actions
Installed Item Actions
|
Add Devices | Add a new device to VCAS OMI DVB Network. | Subscription reset run Reset subscription utility Subscription Actions
Service Actions
Installed Item Actions
|
Add Domain Devices | Add existing devices on existing domains on a VCAS OMI DVB Network. |
Subscription Actions
Service Actions
Installed Item Actions
|
Add Pair to Device | Pair existing devices on a VCAS OMI DVB Network. | Subscription reset run Reset subscription utility Subscription Actions
Service Actions
Installed Item Actions
|
Remove Domains | Remove existing domains from VCAS OMI DVB Network. | Subscription reset run Reset subscription utility Subscription Actions
Service Actions
Installed Item Actions
|
Remove Device | Remove existing devices from VCAS OMI DVB Network. | Subscription reset run Reset subscription utility Subscription Actions
Installed Item Actions
|
Remov Domain Device | Remove existing devices from existing domains on VCAS OMI DVB Network. | Subscription reset run |
Remove Smartcard Pairing | Remove a smartcard pairing from VCAS OMI DVB Network. | Subscription reset run Reset subscription utility Subscription Actions
|
Remove STB Pairing | Remove an STB pairing from VCAS OMI DVB Network. | Subscription reset run Reset subscription utility Subscription Actions
|
Set PIN Device | Set the PIN on VCAS OMI DVB devices. | Set device PIN utility |
Reset PIN Device | Reset the PIN on VCAS OMI DVB devices. | Set Device PIN utility |
Add Entitlements | Activate Services on an already existing domain on VCAS OMI DVB Network. | Subscription reset run Reset subscription utility Subscription Actions
Service Actions
|
Remove or Modify Entitlements | Deactivate Services on an already existing domain on VCAS OMI DVB Network. | Subscription reset run Reset subscription utility Subscription Actions
Service Actions
UDR actions
|
Generate OSM | Generate and send an On Screen Message | Send OSM utility OSM runs |
VCAS OMI Business Examples
Subscription with multiple viewing points
Scenario 1
Company ZX offers to its customers the option to have multiple viewing points per subscription. This enables its customers to have a separate box and card in each of the rooms, and choose between having the same channels or different channels available through boxes. The maximum number of viewing points that can be added to a subscription is 4.
Solution
For each set of box and card that will be made available to subscribers, CRM.COM must have a different provisioning distributor available, in order to set the channel availability and restrictions per box.
To support this, the following distributors must be set up in the Provisioning Provider.
- Main
- TWIN1
- TWIN2
- TWIN3
Notes
- If you are using a previous release, view CRM.COM Release Changes.
- Use the WEB API to create and manage VCAS OMI from an external system, such as a customer portal. Refer to the VCAS OMI WEB API for a comprehensive list of available actions.
Glossary
CRM.COM Term | Definition |
---|---|
VCAS | Stands for Verimatrix Conditional Access System. |
OMI | Stands for Operator Management Interface which is the interface provided by Verimatrix to integrate against VCAS. |
DVB | DVB stands for Digital Video Broadcasting. |
PPC | Stands for Pay Per Channel. Broadcast PPCs represent the traditional television channels that broadcasts content continuously for 24 hours a day and seven days a week. |
PPV | Stands for Pay Per View. Broadcast (PPV) allows viewers that are not currently subscribed to a broadcast PPC to view certain programs televised on that channel by ordering the PPV. A typical application is a major-league sports event that can generate additional revenue if extended beyond PPC customers to include PPV customers as well. |
VOD | Stands for Video on Demand. VOD content is any static asset that subscribers can access and view for a specific period (e.g. a movie) |
OSM | Stands for On-Screen Messages. OSM are text-only messages to be sent to STB/TV devices provisioned by VCAS OMI ADMIN platform. |
Domain | In CRM.COM a domain represents a Subscription provisioning provider. |
Content | Contentis a media asset such as a movie, a series or a broadcasting channel. A single piece of content can be added to one or more networks but only needs to be added to VCAS one time. |
Events | Eventsspecify the availability period for specific content and a specific network. For VOD and DTV Content, the period should be infinite. For PPV, the time periods specify the start and end times of the PPV event. Events are ultimately grouped into Packages for entitling devices to the underlying content. |
Packages | Packagesenable the grouping of one or more Events to define comprehensive subscriber offerings. Packages provide significant flexibility through the numerous ways in which content can be bundled into commercial subscriber offerings. For example, VOD Events can be combined into movie Packages, sports events can be sold individually or placed into a Package that provides viewing rights for the entire season and content can be bundled into channels. |