Rovi Ramping Up 2nd Screen Certification Standard

With video compatibility increasingly important as 2nd-screen devices and apps proliferate, Rovi has been pitching itself as an interoperability testing hub for video. For example, every DivX Certified device is tested for DivX video playback and contains DivX DRM, allowing the protected playback of purchased content. And now Rovi, which already certifies devices ranging from mobile phones, tablets, set-tops, Blu-ray disc players and DTVs, is adding High Efficiency Video Codec to its DivX certification program, aiming at driving 4K content creation and the expansion of compatible devices, said Rovi vp, technology Eric Grab. 

As the company rolls out the program, execs hope to reduce storage and bandwidth costs. The extension to the DivX certification program was designed to allow information and communications, as well as OEM customers to quickly bring to market mobile and CE products that support high-quality HEVC playback, Grab said. Rovi’s HEVC partner Broadcom already supports the playback of DivX HEVC streaming and downloadable content in its latest UltraHD home gateway product. HEVC is touted as able to reduce the bandwidth required by up to 40% vs the previous standard. 

As for Broadcom, it is working with Rovi to "set the stage for the delivery of 4K content to UltraHD TVs in the home," said Richard Nelson, Broadcom’s svp, marketing, broadband communications group in a statement. Grab said certification is only "a chunk of" the company’s revenue. But as Rovi enters the HEVC/4K arena, the "chunk" is poised to get bigger.