[ILUG] Satellite reception

[Michael Watterson]

Mikhail Ramendik wrote:
> On Saturday 02 August 2008 23:15, Michael Watterson wrote:
>
>   
>>>> There is no CAM for Sky...
>>>>         
>>> I won't be using Sky at all. Hotbird is my sat fo choice, and it has some
>>> Viaccess encrypted channels I'd like to get.
>>>       
>> Viaccess is well supported, even by  cheap  set box  that only requires
>> card and  no  CAM  (built in).  
>>     
>
> That sounds interesting. How does it work? Do they send me some sort of code 
> which I can enter in the set top or in Linux?
>
>   
They send you either a sim sized or Credit card sized card with an 
embedded chip, the viewing card.
> T
>   
>>   CAM.  Just an  ISO  reader  supported by  Linux.
>>     
>
> Sorry for being so ignorant but what's an ISO reader? I know what a 
> multi-format card reader is (CF, SD, xD etc) but never knew there was an ISO 
> card format.
>
>   

The credit card sized card or phone Sim (fitted in a creditcard sized 
holder) with chip and various pads is ISO7880? Anyway a simple device 
will let you connect serial port to such a card. Different cards need 
differing software. But the same reader can work for Chip&Pin credit 
cards, phone cards, Petrol cards etc,  Satellite TV viewing cards or 
Phone SIM. The Phone SIM usually comes in a Credit card sized plastic 
(to allow easy testing/programming on a standard ISO reader) and then is 
"snapped out" for the miniature connector  in the phone.

Software to read & write the addresses/numbers on your phone sim is 
freely available.
For satellite TV you need a SoftCAM, that emulates the function of the 
PCMCIA styled physical CAM that takes a viewing card and fits a TV or 
Setbox CI slot (same physical as PCMCIA).
SoftCAM is quite legal if used with legitimate viewing card for only the 
pay channels you subscribed to. Some people may risk large fines by not 
bothering with a viewing card (Not Possible with Sky NDS Videoguard).

You can use such systems as Door locks (I wouldn't for anything needing 
real security) using MySQL database on Linux and the cheap 30 Eur reader 
on each door (OK for a hotel room though), with PIN keypad optional. 
It's a legitimate use for  blank  pirate  TV  viewing  cards!

-- 
Mike