Adobe Flash Media Rights Management Server is now available. The scalable system is designed to protect moving-image content in Adobe Flash formats against unauthorised use.
The product is aimed primarily at media companies seeking to distribute video securely online and offline. It integrates with existing workflows and supports output platforms including Adobe Media Player and applications based on Adobe AIR. Users can continue to distribute high-resolution content without restrictions through Adobe Flash Player, Adobe Media Player and AIR applications.
“Adobe Flash technology paved the way for distributing rich video through the web and enabled millions of users to watch high-quality content quickly and easily,” says Jim Guerard, Adobe vice president for Dynamic Media. “Flash Media Rights Management Server gives media companies control over programme distribution and content protection. We hope this additional security will encourage more strong content to appear online and on the desktop.”
Integration with Adobe Media Player and Adobe AIR
Flash Media Rights Management Server integrates with Adobe AIR and Adobe Media Player. AIR is a cross-platform runtime environment that brings rich internet applications to the desktop, combining internet reach with local-computer capabilities. Adobe Media Player is Adobe’s first customisable end-user application based on AIR and allows users to watch downloaded or streamed programmes when and where they choose. The player was in beta at the time of publication, with a final version expected in spring 2008. Combined with AIR and Adobe Media Player, the rights server extends the reach of Flash Player video while protecting content during offline use.
“At Sony Pictures Entertainment, we are looking for innovative new ways for audiences to watch films and television programmes where and when they want,” says Richard Berger, senior vice president for New Media and Technology. “Protecting digital content against unauthorised use and distribution is the critical component of our online strategy. We welcome the introduction of Adobe Flash Media Rights Management Server and look forward to developing new, secure distribution channels based on this technology with our partners.”
Foundation for new business models
Whether a media provider wants to control access to a live webcast or offer advertising-funded, free or paid on-demand programmes, digital-content protection plays a central role in developing next-generation television business models. Rights holders can use the server to encrypt downloaded and locally played FLV and F4V audio and video files and define rules for their use. Controls include access rights and usage duration, which can be adjusted dynamically even after a file has been sent or retrieved. Protection in Adobe Media Player is intended to prevent content from being reused without the provider’s permission.
Pricing and availability
Adobe Flash Media Rights Management Server is available for Windows Server 2003 and Red Hat Linux at €36,000 excluding tax per CPU. Users can protect any quantity of content within server-capacity limits. Client-side protection tools can use Adobe AIR and the forthcoming Adobe Media Player, both available for Windows and Mac OS. A Linux version of Adobe AIR is under development.