[ILUG] usb-serial adaptors (was modems)

[Michael Watterson]

Frank Peelo wrote:
> Gavin McCullagh wrote:
>> Hi,
>>
>> On Mon, 22 Dec 2008, Kae Verens wrote:
>>
>>
>>> I'm intrigued - didn't know there was a non-legal use for them - I 
>>> have four at the moment that I'm using for a robot, but will not 
>>> need them in a week (building an I2C-based replacement for them - 
>>> less cables and fiddliness).
>>>
>>> what is this hookie cable-tv box trick that you're speaking of?
>>
>>
>> There are apparently, replacement set-top boxes available for the 
>> likes of
>> the NTL (and presumably chorus) digital service.  These don't enforce
>> control on which channels may be viewed. 
>> From what I gathered, apparently some of them need reprogramming
>> occasionally with a new key or something and this is done from a pc 
>> over a
>> serial console.  This could be very wrong, but that's what I understood
>> from the shop assistant.
>
> I got a satellite dish from Lidl a couple of years ago. The decoder 
> box that came with it has a serial port. Always wondered what that was 
> for.
>
> Frank
>
>
Editing the channel lineup, copy setup to another box, updating firmware 
and adding missing satellite positions.

Nothing illegal about it. The software for some boxes only runs on 
Win95/Win98, not NT/XP/Vista/Linux. Some sat boxes I've used on a 
motorised system have no user interface to add new satellites or edit 
actual position.

Similarly many PMR (mobile services two  radios) are upgraded or 
channels changed via serial port adaptor often connected to a custom 
slot or the Microphone Jack. Many the Software only works under DOS, and 
on a slow PC . I have an old 366 with MSDOS 6.22 as the SW won't work 
even on a downclocked 486!

Note that Promoting theft of Pay TV service is not as simple as 
copyright infringement and can involve higher civil action (124,000 Eur 
recently in Ireland) than the simple criminal prosecution for Theft of 
service. Yes. Programming a Sat, DTT or Cable receiver to get encrypted 
channels you didn't pay for is a crime in EU and Ireland. Sky you can 
use a home programmed Linux box with a LEGITIMATE sky card and that is 
OK. Cable/MMDS is more restrictive. Even with a valid sub you may only 
use the decoder UPC supplies.

Since the list is archived and UPC does go after people and you are not 
anonymous, I'd advise people to be clear they are only talking about 
theoretical illegal activities and not promoting them nor  explaining 
how to  do it.

You can be  fined  and jailed just for  obstruction  of  investigation  
of  Pay TV  service Theft. Because it's THEFT of service. Not just 
copyright infringement.

-- 
Mike