Workflows for Embedding Content Protection Watermarks in Theatrical Soundtracks

The motion picture industry's adoption of a standard audio watermark technology for content protection has generated interest within the professional sound post-production community to better understand the tools and processes for incorporating watermark embedding and verification within existing workflow environments as well as the proper handling and use of the resulting watermarked content. Content protection watermarks differ from forensic watermarks by providing active content protection rather than passive post-theft tracking and are applied during post-production rather than during exhibition. — This paper describes the tools and workflows developed for theatrical sound mastering to embed an audio watermark using Cinavia™, the new cross-industry standard for the protection of filmed entertainment content developed by Verance Corporation. Cinavia has been adopted as a required element of the Advanced Access Content System (AACS) that is used to protect high-value content on Blu-ray Discs. Cinavia can stop the playback of unauthorized copies in compliant Blu-ray Disc players. The paper presents an overview of the Cinavia technology, its protection benefits throughout different content release windows, and the tools used for embedding and verifying the correct copy protection payloads. It addresses issues including time spent on the soundstage, interfaces to existing equipment and software, content labeling and archiving, and preserving audio quality. The paper focuses on the deployment of these tools and processes in audio mastering workflows for theatrical film release and concludes with a summary of Cinavia adoption in the marketplace.

Published

2010-10

Content type

Original Research

Keywords

AACS, audio watermark, Cinavia, content protection, embedding, film print mastering, theatrical post-production workflows

DOI

10.5594/M001365

ISBN

978-1-61482-944-7