[Satellite TODAY 12-31-09] Irdeto has linked-up with Humax to develop a secure HD set-top box for the Middle East region, the two companies announced Dec. 29. 
     The set-top box, which will be manufactured by Humax, will feature Irdeto’s Conditional Access System (CAS) offering a hardware platform, software technology and cryptography, secure chipset, and SIM cards for the control of operator subscriptions.
     “In response to the rapidly growing piracy problem across the Middle East, Irdeto and Humax are committed to providing secure protection for high-value content including, giving operators the opportunity to make HD channels available on secure chipset receivers exclusively,” Humax spokesman Tae-Hun Kim said in a statement.