Microsoft has developed a content access and protection digital rights management (DRM) system called PlayReady. This technology may be utilised to safely distribute audio and video content over an OTT network. PlayReady was named after the company’s Play Ready media player. In addition to this, it protects the content from being leaked or used in an inappropriate manner. The PlayReady platform can be integrated into a system with the assistance of a device-porting kit and a source code that is made available to hardware partners. In addition to this, it provides a licencing server component that can be simply incorporated into the infrastructure that is already in place at a service provider. The first thing that has to be done is have a content packager that supports PlayReady encrypt the content. After that, the client device makes use of the information contained in the DRM licence to decrypt and play the material.
A PlayReady Object, also known as a PRO, can be found in the content header of each and every media file that has been PlayReady-protected. This file provides the data required by PlayReady, such as the metadata for audio and video tracks, as well as the data required by the client in order to seek or acquire a licence for the content. The latest version of the PlayReady Porting Kit can be implemented for improved content protection on client devices that support the trusted execution environment (TEE) in the device processor. PlayReady Software Development Kit (SDK) is used by content providers and suppliers of DRM video protection solutions in order to tailor-make servers that are capable of supporting the respective services.
When content is encrypted using PlayReady DRM, a KeyID (KID) is generated. This KeyID contains a globally unique identifier (GUID) that allows the client to retrieve the corresponding key from the server and an ALGID that decrypts the file. Both of these identifiers are necessary to decrypt the content. PlayReady uses keys that are encrypted using the AES-128 CTR and AES-128 CBC algorithms. Either a key management system or the PlayReady Key Seed Mechanism can be used to produce the keys. Both of these systems are available. The PlayReady header is transmitted to the licence issuer whenever a licencing request is made. The licence issuer then retrieves the KID from the header and determines the key value that corresponds to it. The key value, as well as the rights and restrictions associated with the content, is often included in the licence response.
PlayReady is a technology that allows service providers to regulate the expiration of content, resolution, and the types of devices and screens on which the content can be presented by using the technology. It is also compatible with personal computers, mobile devices, and set-top boxes, in addition to CE hardware and software platforms. The process of integrating PlayReady, Apple’s FairPlay, and Google’s Widevine has been made simpler by multi-DRM service providers that offer cloud-based SaaS. These suppliers now offer integrated licence management for these three DRM systems.