[ILUG] usb-serial adaptors (was modems)

[Michael Watterson]

Timothy Murphy wrote:
> On Wednesday 24 December 2008 00:53:24 Michael Watterson wrote:
>
>   
>> Sky you can
>> use a home programmed Linux box with a LEGITIMATE sky card and that is
>> OK. 
>>     
>
> What "programmed Linux box" can one use in this way, as a matter of interest?
>
>   
Arbitrary PC with Satellite card and serial or USB ISO card reader for 
the Sky card. (Possible on Linux, but I've only seen it work with Sky 
card on Windows XP using ProgDVB)
Dreambox
Reel Multimedia Reelbox Lite
Reel Multimedia Avantguarde
Almost any Linux based Sat receiver with CI and suitable Dragon CAM or  
similar.

Some implementations need the card to be refreshed occasionally in a 
real Digibox. Others claim it works indefinitely. You may be breaking 
Sky T&C, but since you only receive the channels you pay for, no 
EU/Irish law is broken. However probably compiling your own version of 
Gentoo is easier than getting this working.

The Linux implementation on  the Reelbox Lite is particularly rubbish, 
as its GUI/usability is the worst I've seen and the DVD player/recorder 
hasn't DeCSS. You can't play most commercial DVDs.

Most set boxes are not x86, or if x86, rather specialised, so you pretty 
much have to either get a package for the specific model or
setup up a X-compiling toolchain and roll your own.

Many  Motorola  DTT/Cable/Sat  boxes  have integral IPTV support and are 
Linux based. They use a KreaTV API layer and need a provisioning Linux 
server.

I'd not recommend anyone spend money on it as what works today won't 
tomorrow. Actual Sky box is best solution for subscription.

-- 
Mike