Xtraview Video Encryption System refers to the now-defunct patented "encryption" system used on Xtraview and a number of other Top Up TV services, including Setanta Sports, Television X, Babestation and Red Hot TV.
Instead, an MHEG application directed the user's set-top box to a hidden videostream when a correct PIN is entered.
This is an advantage over digital terrestrial television in the UK, where the vast majority of set-top boxes have no ability to decrypt pay channels.
Access to a channel protected using the Xtraview technology was granted by calling a premium rate telephone number.
Another downfall is that because the application is MHEG generated, if the set-top box was switched off, access to these channels was lost.