In my previous DRM blog post, I explained the different levels of DRM content protection, and how to determine what the best fit is for your content.
But once you decided you want to use Adobe Access DRM, how do you deploy it across devices?
There are three main components required for a deployment:
- Adobe Access DRM server
- HDS/HLS DRM packaging
- Player with Adobe Access DRM capabilities
Here is how to get access and license the required components.
Adobe Access DRM server
The Adobe Access DRM server is available as a trial. After a successful application through the trial request form, Adobe will issue trial certificates that allow testing for a limited time period. The server is available with an implementation for protected streaming, and a low level SDK for full customization. It comes with a DRM packager to protect media files for progressive download delivery, but it doesn’t include packaging components to create HDS and HDS fragmented content. For pricing inquiries, Adobe provides a contact email address.
HDS/HLS DRM packaging
Adobe Access DRM packaging is available in 2 different products:
- Adobe Media Server 5
- Adobe Primetime Packagers
Both packaging options provide support for VOD and Live, HDS and HLS, and redundant setups. The main differences are the Adobe Primetime Packagers provide additional features for advertisement workflows, as well as newer DRM packaging functionality. As example, while HDS packaging with Adobe Media Server 5 requires a HTTP Apache Module for HDS streaming, HDS (and of course HLS) packaged with the Adobe Primetime Packagers doesn’t require this component anymore. The Adobe Primetime Packagers come as part of an Adobe Primetime license. For live setups, both packaging separately from the encoder, as well packaging on the encoder are options (when supported by the encoder).
Player with Adobe Access DRM capabilities
As last component players with Adobe Access DRM support are required. Here are the options:
Desktop
- Flash Player with OSMF (HDS)
- Flash Player with Adobe Primetime Player (HDS+HLS)
Adobe Primetime Player on the desktop provides additional features such as seamless advertisement, closed captioning and the abililiy to use native DRM-enabled HLS playback in Flash Player (not an Actionscript implementation). For a full technical overview, watch David Hassoun’s Adobe MAX session
OSMF is available as open source, while Adobe Primetime Player comes as part of an Adobe Primetime license.
Mobile
On both iOS and Android, Adobe Access DRM support is available as part of the native Adobe Primetime Players.
iOS: Adobe Primetime Player
- HLS DRM support using the native HLS video stack (important for App Store approval)
- Only available as part of Adobe Primetime Player, no separate DRM library
Android: Adobe Primetime Player + Adobe AIR
- Native Adobe Primetime Player with HLS DRM support using a built-in HLS video stack to provide playback to 99% of addressable Android devices. It is not dependent on the Android native HLS stack.
- Adobe AIR with HDS DRM support. Android application must be Flash-authored.
Summary
Adobe Access DRM is offered as part of Adobe Primetime, which provides in addition to the Adobe Access DRM server next generation packagers and players. If you are looking to deploy Adobe Access on iOS and Android to maintain a single publishing workflow, this is the path to take. Adobe provides a contact email for inquiries.
