Multi-Platform Entertainment & DRM System for Aviation Industry
PlayReady DRM Streaming Platform Serving Airlines Worldwide
Project Gallery
Aviation Entertainment
In-flight entertainment system with DRM-protected streaming
Cruise Entertainment
Cruise ship entertainment platform with distributed architecture
Hospitality Solutions
Hotel entertainment system with HMS/PMS integration
Transportation Systems
Public transportation entertainment with cross-vehicle session continuity
The Challenge
Building Scalable Multi-Platform Entertainment System with Advanced DRM Protection
this major international aviation company develops multimedia entertainment systems for aviation and hospitality industries. The challenge was to architect and implement a comprehensive entertainment platform running on both proprietary hardware and self-developed devices with integrated WLAN and 4G, supporting horizontally and vertically scalable cruise & hospitality entertainment systems with complete DRM protection across all platforms.
Multi-platform support required (Browser, Smart TV, Non-Smart TV, Android, iOS, Windows Mobile, AndroidTV)
Complete DRM protection with PlayReady, CMLA/OMA, and Widevine across all devices
Distributed database replication across unreliable networks (ships, aircraft)
Content distribution to remote locations with intermittent connectivity
Real-time device management and tracking across thousands of endpoints
Integration with multiple HMS/PMS systems (InforHMS, Agilysys, Fidelio)
Secure content delivery via Aspera with automated quality verification
Complex UI generation for diverse content types (VOD, AOD, etc.)
The Solution
Comprehensive DRM-Protected Entertainment Platform with Distributed Architecture
As Lead Developer, I architected and implemented a complete entertainment ecosystem including DRM-protected streaming, distributed database replication, automated content distribution, and multi-platform playback. The platform supports all major devices and streaming protocols with PlayReady DRM protection, integrated with CMS, POS systems, and HMS/PMS platforms for cruise ships and hospitality.
DRM Streaming Platform
PlayReady DRM-protected content delivered via Azure Cloud Media Services with Smooth Streaming, supporting Browser, TV (Smart/Non-Smart via multicast), Android, iOS, MacOS, AndroidTV, Windows Mobile
Distributed Database Replication
Custom JMS/Camel-based system enabling transactional, distributed, conditional replication across unreliable networks with Events, Push-Messages, and Request/Reply patterns
Content Distribution System
Aspera-based CDS with automated state engine analyzing navigation trees, packaging content into archives, and distributing across satellite systems
Dynamic UI Framework
zKoss-based framework auto-generating complex UIs from JaxB classes for diverse content types (VOD, AOD, PDF, Games) with full validation
Device Management
Comprehensive system managing mobile devices, TVs, STBs, and Digital Signage with location-based tracking and account relations
HMS/PMS Integration
XML-based interfaces connecting legacy hospitality systems (InforHMS, Agilysys Guestware, Fidelio) for folio display and ordering
Critical Challenges
Key technical hurdles and how they were overcome
Resilient Communication Over Unstable Networks
Problem
Hardware on buses and ships running multimedia apps must sync usage data and requests with servers. Connections are highly unstable via mobile and satellite networks. Users switching vehicles (bus A to bus B) must be able to resume movies seamlessly without interruption.
Solution
Developed framework and services that automatically find database deltas, provide structured information, and send to host systems. Clients request data based on user context. Transaction system ensures no data loss despite connection breaks, with automatic retry and reconciliation mechanisms.
A user successfully watched a movie across 3 different buses during the same commute, with the system automatically resuming playback at the exact frame on each vehicle switch.
Impact
Created a safe, extremely resilient architecture with zero communication issues despite terrible connectivity conditions. Users can seamlessly continue entertainment across vehicle changes.
PMS/Guest System Integration Without Connectivity
Problem
Hotel and ship management services like Fidelio, Guestware, and Informix are needed on set-top boxes but frequently unavailable due to connection issues. Guests expect seamless access to services regardless of network conditions.
Solution
Built framework that sends and requests messages from server, interacting with software on server side. System works even with lost connections if data is not immediately required, with intelligent caching and offline capabilities for critical guest services.
Guest services remained fully operational during complete satellite blackout on cruise ship in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean.
Impact
Achieved safe communication even with disconnections - guests can access hotel and ship services seamlessly without being aware of network issues. Zero service degradation from connectivity problems.
Ship TV Inventory Speed
Problem
Registering TV and set-top box units to rooms took 15 minutes per room - a huge effort for cruise ships with hundreds of rooms. Deployment teams faced weeks of manual configuration work.
Solution
Created an SNMP-based Angular2 service that automatically detects which switch port each TV and set-top box is connected to. Using the known network topology, the system narrows the possible location down to exactly two cabins. The operator then just chooses left vs right — cabin A or B — via the remote control; registration, mapping and persistence are fully automated behind the scenes.
Impact
Reduced registration time by 95% from 15 minutes to 30 seconds per room. Ship deployment time decreased from 2 weeks to 2 days.
PlayReady DRM Without Internet
Problem
Content providers only supply PlayReady-protected content. Integration is extremely complicated. Offline licenses not viable due to limited quantity and expiration issues. Standard PlayReady server impossible due to unstable connections on ships and aircraft.
Solution
Built custom service acting as PlayReady server - provides valid license if user is authorized, then streams and encrypts content specifically for that user. System operates completely independent of internet connection, with full DRM compliance maintained offline.
Premium Hollywood content streaming on cruise ship in middle of Atlantic Ocean with zero internet connection, full DRM protection maintained.
Impact
Created working DRM system with deployment, distribution, import of metadata, and handling of protected movies. Fully functional regardless of connectivity status, enabling premium content delivery anywhere.
Business Impact
Measurable value delivered to the business
Global Deployment Scale
Entertainment sessions across this major international aviation company, partner airlines, major cruise operators, hospitality groups, and long-distance transport providers
Content Protection
99.9% PlayReady DRM protection maintained across all platforms and deployment scenarios during the project period, with no known DRM breaches
Deployment Efficiency
Cruise ship deployment: 2 weeks → 2 days via automated inventory and configuration
Network Resilience
Successful data synchronization over satellite connections with 500ms+ latency
Platform Coverage
Universal support: Browser, Smart TV, Non-Smart TV, Android, iOS, MacOS, AndroidTV, Windows Mobile
Innovations
Groundbreaking solutions that set new standards
Offline PlayReady DRM Server
Custom PlayReady-compatible licensing server operating completely independently of internet connectivity, enabling premium content protection on ships and aircraft
Industry first: Full DRM compliance without internet connection - no other solution existed for maritime/aviation environments
Impact: Enabled premium content delivery in completely disconnected environments while maintaining studio-grade content protection
Distributed Replication Over Unstable Networks
JMS/Camel-based transactional database replication system designed specifically for 500ms+ satellite latency and frequent connection drops
Transaction-safe delta sync with automatic reconciliation across unreliable maritime/aviation networks
Impact: 99.9% sync success rate in environments where traditional replication would fail completely
SNMP-Based Automated Inventory
Angular2 service using SNMP network discovery to automatically identify and configure entertainment devices based on network topology
95% reduction in deployment time through intelligent network-based device registration
Impact: Transformed cruise ship deployments from weeks to days, enabling rapid fleet rollouts
Cross-Vehicle Session Continuity
Framework enabling users to seamlessly resume entertainment as they move between different vehicles (buses, ships) with automatic context switching
Stateful session migration across disconnected systems - users unaware of underlying complexity
Impact: First entertainment platform to support true mobility across transport networks
"The entertainment platform significantly improved our in-flight and hospitality offerings. Comprehensive DRM protection and multi-platform support let us deliver premium content securely across our systems worldwide."
Technologies Used
core
drm
persistence
messaging
infrastructure
streaming
frontend
mobile
cms
integration
authentication
monitoring
additional
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