Patent ID: 7778420

Claim:
A method for enabling playback of encrypted digital video on a plurality of playback devices having different security characteristics, comprising the steps of: (a) receiving, from a playback device, data describing said playback device; (b) analyzing said received data to assess a risk that said digital video will be compromised by allowing playback on said device; (c) based on said risk analysis, selecting from among a plurality of playback quality levels, where said levels include: (i) playback with substantially full image quality; (ii) playback at a reduced image quality; and (iii) substantially preventing playback; (d) interrogating a digital certificate associated with the playback device; (e) selecting from among the plurality of playback quality levels based upon presence of a valid digital certificate; and (f) enabling said playback device to decrypt and output said digital video at said selected quality level.