Cable Scrambling/Encryption Status

Their seems to be a lot of folks here who use the relatively new
technology of Set Top Boxes (STBs) that are generic QAM/NTSC/ATSC
receivers so they can enjoy cable without having to be locked-in to
the receiver that is provided by the cable compay.

However, aren't many cable programs scrambled (or perhaps encrypted
would be more appropriate for digital)? And don't the cable companies
change their encryption strategies time-to-time?

The point is that, even if a STB manufacturer has "cracked" the
current set of encryptions, isn't an STB owner at risk that future
encryption changes will lock them out?
--
% Randy Yates % "My Shangri-la has gone away, fading like
%% Fuquay-Varina, NC % the Beatles on 'Hey Jude'"
%%% 919-577-9882 %
%%%% % 'Shangri-La', *A New World Record*, ELO
http://home.earthlink.net/~yatescr

Randy Yates wrote:
Their seems to be a lot of folks here who use the relatively new
technology of Set Top Boxes (STBs) that are generic QAM/NTSC/ATSC
receivers so they can enjoy cable without having to be locked-in to
the receiver that is provided by the cable compay.

However, aren't many cable programs scrambled (or perhaps encrypted
would be more appropriate for digital)? And don't the cable companies
change their encryption strategies time-to-time?

The point is that, even if a STB manufacturer has "cracked" the
current set of encryptions, isn't an STB owner at risk that future
encryption changes will lock them out?
--
% Randy Yates % "My Shangri-la has gone away, fading like
%% Fuquay-Varina, NC % the Beatles on 'Hey Jude'"
%%% 919-577-9882 %
%%%% % 'Shangri-La', *A New World Record*, ELO
http://home.earthlink.net/~yatescr
Most cable companies provide local digital channels unencrypted (SD &
HD - e.g. ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX, PBS). All your set needs is a QAM tuner.
Without one, you need an external type like you're describing. Of
course, the premium channels are all encrypted and this kind of tuner
will not be able to descramble those.

Randy Yates wrote:
However, aren't many cable programs scrambled (or perhaps encrypted
would be more appropriate for digital)? And don't the cable companies
change their encryption strategies time-to-time?


It varies a lot between cable provider and area.
With Comcast cable service I used to be able to receive
local ota HD channels with just the built-in QAM tuner in
my TV and no other hooks but that ended a month ago.
Yesterday, a Comcast technician confirmed to me that indeed
they have just started encrypting ALL HD channels in my area
even local non-premium channels so I would need either a
cable card (if my TV supports that) or a set-top box in order
to receive any HD channels.

Since I don't want to be stuck with a special box provided
by the cable company, which may not satisfy my need, I
will have to switch over to over the air HD channels.

KarlD wrote:

It varies a lot between cable provider and area.
With Comcast cable service I used to be able to receive
local ota HD channels with just the built-in QAM tuner in
my TV and no other hooks but that ended a month ago.
Yesterday, a Comcast technician confirmed to me that indeed
they have just started encrypting ALL HD channels in my area
even local non-premium channels so I would need either a
cable card (if my TV supports that) or a set-top box in order
to receive any HD channels.

Since I don't want to be stuck with a special box provided
by the cable company, which may not satisfy my need, I
will have to switch over to over the air HD channels.

I thought there was legislation in the US that said that they had to
provide those signals unscrambled.

wrote:
KarlD wrote:

It varies a lot between cable provider and area.
With Comcast cable service I used to be able to receive
local ota HD channels with just the built-in QAM tuner in
my TV and no other hooks but that ended a month ago.
Yesterday, a Comcast technician confirmed to me that indeed
they have just started encrypting ALL HD channels in my area
even local non-premium channels so I would need either a
cable card (if my TV supports that) or a set-top box in order
to receive any HD channels.

Since I don't want to be stuck with a special box provided
by the cable company, which may not satisfy my need, I
will have to switch over to over the air HD channels.

I thought there was legislation in the US that said that they had to
provide those signals unscrambled.

I thought so too but apparently it's only some agreement between cable
companies and local government agencies that can be renegotiated,
no legislation or law.

"KarlD" writes:

Randy Yates wrote:
However, aren't many cable programs scrambled (or perhaps encrypted
would be more appropriate for digital)? And don't the cable companies
change their encryption strategies time-to-time?


It varies a lot between cable provider and area.
With Comcast cable service I used to be able to receive
local ota HD channels with just the built-in QAM tuner in
my TV and no other hooks but that ended a month ago.
Yesterday, a Comcast technician confirmed to me that indeed
they have just started encrypting ALL HD channels in my area
even local non-premium channels so I would need either a
cable card (if my TV supports that) or a set-top box in order
to receive any HD channels.

Since I don't want to be stuck with a special box provided
by the cable company, which may not satisfy my need, I
will have to switch over to over the air HD channels.

Thanks for the data point, Kerl. I also applaud your actions.
--
% Randy Yates % "So now it's getting late,
%% Fuquay-Varina, NC % and those who hesitate
%%% 919-577-9882 % got no one..."
%%%% % 'Waterfall', *Face The Music*, ELO
http://home.earthlink.net/~yatescr

On 29 Oct 2006 14:20:48 -0800, "KarlD" wrote:

wrote:
KarlD wrote:

It varies a lot between cable provider and area.
With Comcast cable service I used to be able to receive
local ota HD channels with just the built-in QAM tuner in
my TV and no other hooks but that ended a month ago.
Yesterday, a Comcast technician confirmed to me that indeed
they have just started encrypting ALL HD channels in my area
even local non-premium channels so I would need either a
cable card (if my TV supports that) or a set-top box in order
to receive any HD channels.

Since I don't want to be stuck with a special box provided
by the cable company, which may not satisfy my need, I
will have to switch over to over the air HD channels.

I thought there was legislation in the US that said that they had to
provide those signals unscrambled.

I thought so too but apparently it's only some agreement between cable
companies and local government agencies that can be renegotiated,
no legislation or law.

I think there is either an FCC reg or federal mandate, but I was wrong
one other time.

They probably provide analog locals at no extra charge in the basic
package then charge extra for the digital versions. That's what
Charter does here. What happens when the analog locals go away and the
only locals available are digital. My *guess* would be they will set
up a SD version for free and charge for the HD versions.

Roger Halstead (K8RI & ARRL life member)
(N833R, S# CD-2 Worlds oldest Debonair)
www.rogerhalstead.com

"Roger (K8RI)" wrote:

On 29 Oct 2006 14:20:48 -0800, "KarlD" wrote:

wrote:
KarlD wrote:

It varies a lot between cable provider and area.
With Comcast cable service I used to be able to receive
local ota HD channels with just the built-in QAM tuner in
my TV and no other hooks but that ended a month ago.
Yesterday, a Comcast technician confirmed to me that indeed
they have just started encrypting ALL HD channels in my area
even local non-premium channels so I would need either a
cable card (if my TV supports that) or a set-top box in order
to receive any HD channels.

Since I don't want to be stuck with a special box provided
by the cable company, which may not satisfy my need, I
will have to switch over to over the air HD channels.

I thought there was legislation in the US that said that they had to
provide those signals unscrambled.

I thought so too but apparently it's only some agreement between cable
companies and local government agencies that can be renegotiated,
no legislation or law.

I think there is either an FCC reg or federal mandate, but I was wrong
one other time.

They probably provide analog locals at no extra charge in the basic
package then charge extra for the digital versions. That's what
Charter does here. What happens when the analog locals go away and the
only locals available are digital. My *guess* would be they will set
up a SD version for free and charge for the HD versions.

Roger Halstead (K8RI & ARRL life member)
(N833R, S# CD-2 Worlds oldest Debonair)
www.rogerhalstead.com

You are going to get flamed by the "i deserve free HD" groupies for
saying that,,,

common_ wrote:

"Roger (K8RI)" wrote:

On 29 Oct 2006 14:20:48 -0800, "KarlD" wrote:

wrote:
KarlD wrote:

It varies a lot between cable provider and area.
With Comcast cable service I used to be able to receive
local ota HD channels with just the built-in QAM tuner in
my TV and no other hooks but that ended a month ago.
Yesterday, a Comcast technician confirmed to me that indeed
they have just started encrypting ALL HD channels in my area
even local non-premium channels so I would need either a
cable card (if my TV supports that) or a set-top box in order
to receive any HD channels.

Since I don't want to be stuck with a special box provided
by the cable company, which may not satisfy my need, I
will have to switch over to over the air HD channels.

I thought there was legislation in the US that said that they had to
provide those signals unscrambled.

I thought so too but apparently it's only some agreement between cable
companies and local government agencies that can be renegotiated,
no legislation or law.

I think there is either an FCC reg or federal mandate, but I was wrong
one other time.

They probably provide analog locals at no extra charge in the basic
package then charge extra for the digital versions. That's what
Charter does here. What happens when the analog locals go away and the
only locals available are digital. My *guess* would be they will set
up a SD version for free and charge for the HD versions.

Roger Halstead (K8RI & ARRL life member)
(N833R, S# CD-2 Worlds oldest Debonair)
www.rogerhalstead.com

You are going to get flamed by the "i deserve free HD" groupies for
saying that,,,

No moron,,,

Engineer;, built the space shuttle, Hubble, F 16, F 15...you name
it,,,I made it. Big money,,,saved half of it. Retired now.

retail: putting myself through school, and before.

So your credentials are..???

loser,,,,?

wrote:
I thought there was legislation in the US that said that they had to
provide [HDTV channels] unscrambled.

The FCC mandates US cable companies provide unscrambled *FireWire*
access to over-the-air channels, so a cable box will still be
needed. I agree with Karl that if all he is interested in is
over-the-air he look into getting a UHF antenna and, if necessary, a
tuner box set up; if he can successfully pick up all the channels he
wants he could even get rid of cable completely.

--
URL:http://www.pobox.com/~ylee/ PERTH ---- *

Homemade 2.8TB RAID 5 storage array:
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