Envivio (News - Alert), a software-based video processing and delivery solutions provider, recently announced that it has enhanced its Envivio Halo network media processor and Envivio Muse transcoders with new capabilities. The latest upgrades include Microsoft (News - Alert) PlayReady Premium content protection and Civolution forensic watermarking features. 

In a statement, Hayete Gallot, senior director, PlayReady Business of Microsoft Corp, said, "We are thrilled to continue to innovate in the delivery of premium video for service providers, using Microsoft PlayReady DRM technology to extend reach and enable compelling business models," said. "Envivio Halo offers a broad and advanced feature set, and the integration with PlayReady facilitates deployment of advanced services for customers seeking to monetize multi-screen and deliver the best user experience possible."

Envivio and Microsoft have a long history of collaborative initiatives; both companies have once again joined forces to drive the integration of Envivio Halo network media processors with Microsoft PlayReady server solutions and first party ports for Android (News - Alert) and iOS devices.

Jean-Michel Masson, senior vice president of watermarking solutions, Civolution, said, "The NexGuard forensic watermarking solution helps protect content streamed across a wide range of devices, by ensuring that potential leaks are attributed to an individual. The combination of our watermark pre-processing and Envivio's scalable, versatile end-to-end video processing solution is especially valuable to help service providers protect high value, premium services such as live sports events and exclusive programming."

One of the most effective ways of reducing instances of illegal redistribution of video assets is via content protection, the company said. This is necessary if operators are to continue to maintain their revenue source. Civolution's NexGuard forensic watermarking solution, which has been integrated with the Envivio Muse transcoder and Halo Experience Server, now supports watermarking of live Internet or over-the-top (OTT) services.

By watermarking these services, operators can better identify streaming sessions without any disruptions to the viewer. Users will receive their own specially watermarked video which can be easily identified during illegal redistribution of the stream. This eases the process of identifying the source of content theft.