For years, satellite and later SRT defined primary distribution, but both imposed limits: from hardware‑heavy infrastructures to point‑to‑point links that hinder scalability. Today, OTT Contribution reshapes the model entirely. By relying on CDNs, shared virtual headends (VHE), and cloud‑native workflows, it delivers a more scalable, secure, and cost‑efficient backbone for live and on‑demand content. This glossary distills the essential technologies behind this shift, encryption, DRM, low‑latency formats, key exchange, and more, to help you navigate modern contribution workflows with clarity.
AES ENCRYPTION (Advanced Encryption Standard):
A widely used symmetric encryption algorithm that ensures secure content protection in OTT and broadcast workflows. AES is a critical component of DRM systems and is often used in combination with CENC.
AV1:
A next-generation open-source video codec developed by the Alliance for Open Media (AOM). AV1 provides 30-50% better compression efficiency than H.264 and HEVC, reducing bandwidth costs while maintaining high-quality streaming. It is widely adopted for OTT, live streaming, and CMAF-based low-latency delivery.
BISS-CA (Basic Interoperable Scrambling System with Conditional Access):
A conditional access encryption standard designed for live event distribution. It enables secure entitlement management through asymmetric encryption, preventing unauthorized content access.
BLACKOUT MANAGEMENT:
Restricting content access based on geographic, contractual, or regulatory constraints to ensure compliance with rights agreements and avoid legal or financial penalties. Typically enforced via DRM policies or CAS provider solutions.
CENC (Common Encryption):
A standardized encryption method used in OTT and DRM workflows. It allows content to be encrypted once but decrypted by multiple DRM systems (such as Widevine, PlayReady, and FairPlay), simplifying crossplatform content protection.
CMAF (Common Media Application Format):
A standardized media format that optimizes streaming efficiency by enabling a single file format for both HLS and DASH streaming protocols. CMAF reduces storage and distribution costs while supporting low-latency streaming.
C2PA (Coalition for Content Provenance and Authenticity):
An open standard that provides a framework for ensuring the authenticity, integrity, and provenance of digital content. By embedding tamper-resistant metadata into media files, C2PA enables verification of content origin, helping to prevent unauthorized modifications and misinformation.
CPIX (Content Protection Information Exchange):
A specification designed to securely exchange encryption keys and DRM-related information between content preparation tools and DRM servers, ensuring consistent content protection across distribution networks.
DAI (Dynamic Ad Insertion):
A technology that enables real-time ad replacement in video streams, allowing personalized ad targeting while maintaining content security.
DRM (Digital Rights Management):
A set of access control technologies used to protect digital content from unauthorized distribution. DRM systems manage licensing and playback rights across platforms like Widevine (Google), PlayReady (Microsoft), and FairPlay (Apple).
LL-HLS (Low-Latency HLS):
An extension of Apple HLS designed for sub-3-second latencies, ideal for live streaming. LL-HLS uses CMAF, chunked transfer encoding, and partial segments to reduce buffering while ensuring compatibility with existing HLS players.
About the Author
Solution Marketing Senior Director at Ateme
Julien joined Ateme in 2001, starting in the Hardware Department before moving into Product Management, where he led the launch and evolution of the Kyrion product line.
In 2017, he co-founded the BISS-CA standard with the EBU, reshaping the secure distribution of international live events.
He is currently Solution Marketing Director for Contribution and Distribution, driving partner and customer engagement around the Kyrion and TITAN product lines.