A technique known as forensic watermarking is becoming increasingly popular as a means of preventing content leakage and monitoring leaked streaming video. Since digital signals were developed, this technology has been widely used in OTT platforms, particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic, despite the fact that it has been around since then.

In the case of forensic watermarks, which are also known as digital watermarks, a unique code or group of characters is inserted into a digital file that allows the content creator and authorised user to be identified. An instantaneous generation of video watermarks is used in dynamic scenarios where a user is connected to the internet and makes multiple requests for digital signals, such as streaming videos.

In video watermarking forensics, manifest-based or A/B watermarking and bitstream-based watermarking are the two most popular methods of watermarking the video content. Preprocessing is used to identify pixels that can be changed without degrading the host video’s quality, and then A/B watermarking is used to modify those transcoder pixels. This can be done by using a command-line preprocessor, preprocessing libraries, or a multi-DRM SaaS vendor, all of which can be used for pre-processing. A transcoder processes the pre-processed data, resulting in pixel changes.

For a distinct pattern of As and Bs, the playouts have been broken up into blocks. It is possible to add different values to the original video frames (A/B or 0/1). Two sets (A/B) of encoded video are produced as a result of this process. An individual manifest for each subscription session containing data on both the user and the subscription is created when a client requests playback of content. Video portions from both copies of DRM protected content are combined to create a unique manifest. This one-of-a-kind manifest has a watermark that can be used to identify the original user if illegal activity is discovered.

DRM-protected content is a target for hackers, and the A/B watermarking method has a reputation for being secure and difficult to break, making it an effective solution.

Smart hackers and pirates go hand in hand. Unwitting viewers’ user credentials and encryption keys are also targeted by these criminals, who hope to steal content directly from CDNs. In a multi-DRM system, the content has no value if its corresponding encryption keys are unavailable for decrypting premium video content.

Each frame of streaming content is watermarked with a unique identifier to help content owners track down a thief, even if they have the best security measures. File-sharing and illegal streaming sites are then targeted to remove pirated content.

As with the original watermarking process, content owners return to the same multi-DRM vendor for this step. They have all the forensic watermarks on file in their cloud storage. An entry in this database matches the watermark from the pirated copy. When a match is made, the owner of the content can find out who leaked the video and take legal action against them.