Video watermark application for embedding recipient ID in real-time-encoding VoD server

摘要

A previously developed system for embedding watermarks in video content in real time has been improved by incorporating real-time transcoding, which enables embedding of watermarks specific to the recipient. That is, watermarks are used as fingerprints. When a play command is received from a customer, the system decodes the requested video content into frame images in the server. The frame images are then watermarked, encoded, and streamed to the customer in real time. Prototype testing demonstrated that use of this watermarking method is feasible for video-on-demand service; that is, up to 20 individually watermarked videos can be concurrently streamed to customers. Visibility testing showed that the quality of the watermarked images was practical to some degree. Robustness testing showed that the embedded watermarks were practically robust against encoding. Use of this system should help deter the illegal copying and distribution of video content.