ABI Research Announces Leaders in CA and DRM Vendor Comparison Matrix Ratings.

OYSTER BAY, N.Y. -- Earlier this year, ABI Research created a new business intelligence tool for its clients and subscribers: the Vendor Matrix. Today, we announce the current leaders in the Conditional Access (CA) and Digital Rights Management (DRM) Vendor Matrices.

Vendors' performances are evaluated on the twin axes of "innovation" -- a vendor's intellectual property differentiation, R&D activities, and "growth market focus" -- and "implementation", i.e. actual product development, contract wins and successful execution of projects, among other criteria.

A high ranking on both axes indicates a vendor that's a clear leader in its field.

As highlighted by recent ABI Research studies, the CA/DRM industry is growing quickly, spurred by an increase in the number of platforms. So ABI Research profiled over 30 DRM and CA vendors across four platforms - Cable, DBS, Telco/IP, and Mobile/Portable.

According to the Conditional Access Vendor Comparison Matrix, the top two conditional access vendors supplying to cable and satellite platforms are NDS and Nagravision, legacy leaders in this space.

But in the case of conditional access for telco/IP platforms, WideVine outranked both of them.

According to the Digital Rights Vendor Comparison Matrix for mobile/cellular/portable platforms, Microsoft leads the pack, followed by Beep Science. In fact Microsoft and Macrovision dominate the digital rights comparison chart across all platforms.

According to Vamsi Sistla, director of broadband and residential entertainment technologies, "It is evident that the legacy leaders such as NDS, Nagravision, Motorola, Scientific Atlanta and Irdeto are trailing at present in the emerging platforms. But the race has just begun. These rankings could change."

"Service providers should revisit their drawing boards," adds Sistla, "in the light of newer vendors who could meet or beat their expectations just as the legacy vendors have done in the past."

Registered visitors to ABI Research's Web site can view all four CA/DRM Vendor Matrices at http://www.abiresearch.com/vendormatrix/residentialVM.jsp

Founded in 1990 and headquartered in New York, ABI Research maintains global operations that support annual research programs, quarterly intelligence services and market reports in wireless, automotive, semiconductors, broadband, and energy. Their market research products can be found on the Web at www.abiresearch.com, or by calling 516.624.2500.