FTA and Rolling Bin Files

elgemcdlf · #1 (**permalink**) 08-28-2006, 11:40 AM

I had a neighbor come over last night with all kinds of questions concerning what I was doing. They had noticed I had removed the dish from atop my house. It seems as though they are running a Pansat receiver that has been hacked and were interested in what I was running.

I explained each dish and it's purpose along with what hardware was involved with each one. Also explained that my receivers were stock FTA and blah blah blah. After listening to all they had to say it dawned on me. They think FTA is a hacked FTA box. They do not even realize there are channels out there to be had with a stock receiver.

At this point it started to occur to me that many of those who post here concerning info on hacking. I believe they actually do not believe it is hacking. They actually believe it is what is labeled as FTA. I have seen on sites listed as "although not the original intention the receiver can be modified". Pretty soft language for what is really going on.

Just an observation. Of course there is no real way to convince them what they are doing is illegal or that FTA does not require the ability to descamble. Anyone else run into this mentality?

rainman · #2 (**permalink**) 08-28-2006, 12:08 PM

yeah a lot of them out there and you can argue untill you're blue in the face and can't change their minds.so I don't fool with them anymore.

bobkat · #3 (**permalink**) 08-28-2006, 12:10 PM

We get this all the time from our customers. You are right in your assumption. Some people seem to think FTA is an alternate method of receiving pay-TV signals -- they are shocked to hear that it is illegal...

kat

reho33 · #4 (**permalink**) 08-28-2006, 01:12 PM

Real FTA is more intresting anyhow....

elgemcdlf · #5 (**permalink**) 08-28-2006, 01:23 PM

At first I thought they fully understood what they were doing was illegal but as I reflected back on the conversation it just isn't that way. As stated some really do believe it is a perfectly legitimate way of receiving pay TV. It has lightened my attitude towards "hackers" a bit. I always thought they all knew full well what they were doing. Now comes a bit more patience from me in explanation when I run up against one. I currently do not have my 90cm operational but when it is I will invite them over to see what FTA really is.

Iceberg · #6 (**permalink**) 08-28-2006, 01:32 PM

yep. Most of them think "Free TV" (which you steal) is FTA. I've read some stuff on the hack boards and its funny how people will argue that constantly.

They think Dish Network is free to air.

vj9999 · #7 (**permalink**) 08-28-2006, 01:45 PM

I think you have to be flat out stupid not to know that watching something for free while others are legally paying for subscription is illegal and theft.

What's even worse is that people are not discreet about it. Would you go write bad checks and go brag to your neighbour how your bank offers FREE Checking?!

elgemcdlf · #8 (**permalink**) 08-28-2006, 02:18 PM

I think what also compounds things is those of us who have 4DTV receivers get quite a bit of premium programming free in the clear. What also does it is a Dish Network installer was who sold them their system and installed it. So you have a legit DN installer selling a system that receives DN. I honestly believe they feel since they paid for the equipment instead of choosing the free equipment route the programming is free. Being sold by a DN installer it actually looks like a DN package.

vj9999 · #9 (**permalink**) 08-28-2006, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elgemcdlf

I think what also compounds things is those of us who have 4DTV receivers get quite a bit of premium programming free in the clear. What also does it is a Dish Network installer was who sold them their system and installed it. So you have a legit DN installer selling a system that receives DN. I honestly believe they feel since they paid for the equipment instead of choosing the free equipment route the programming is free. Being sold by a DN installer it actually looks like a DN package.

Sure, but it still with a little common sense should be obvious that if it is too good to be true, it probably isn't true (or legal).

Also, sombody should report that "legit" DN installer to DN and he should get a visit from the authoirities.

If your neighbours actually believed that they were getting it legally, I would think it realy wouldn't matter and they would still be the one breaking the law (along with the installer).

elgemcdlf · #10 (**permalink**) 08-28-2006, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vj9999

Sure, but it still with a little common sense should be obvious that if it is too good to be true, it probably isn't true (or legal).

Also, sombody should report that "legit" DN installer to DN and he should get a visit from the authoirities.

If your neighbours actually believed that they were getting it legally, I would think it realy wouldn't matter and they would still be the one breaking the law (along with the installer).

Not trying to defend anyone here but I had a Dish Network telemarketer tell me what I had was illegal. You simply can not get that many channels free. What is "too good to be true"? My list of legit in the clear premium channels with my 922 is fairly impressive. Then when you compare programming costs against DN, DTV or cable it starts to look "too good to be true".

Just a relative thing I think. Ignorance is no excuse for the law as most all know. I can say words from my own mouth that as long as you buy the equipment the programming is free. I was referring to actual FTA programming but I could see how that could carry over.

I also have many encrypted channels on the 922 that are clear on the Fortec receiver. Univision is not even available with the 922 but FTA on the Fortec and a premium channel on DN. Azteca is the same way along with Telemundo. I have MTV out of Argentina on the Fortec along with a couple MTV channels on the 922 that are in the clear. Again a channel one would consider a premium channel.

Those of us who make a living or hobby playing with this stuff know what is and what is not but to average citizen how would you actually know? I hope I have at least shown how easily one could be duped into thinking it was legit.

I do agree concerning the installer. Should I ever learn who the installer is I will make a call into DN. At this point my neighbor has no TV. They got hit 6 weeks ago and have not got it going since which is what initially started the conversation.

vj9999 · #11 (**permalink**) 08-28-2006, 03:12 PM

I was only refering to DN. 4DTV stuff aside 99% of common users only know about small dishes.

When I said too good to be true I meant if someone told me that I can get DN channels for free and not have to pay any subscription fees I would know that it is "too good to be true" and illegal. I guess I just don't understand how could anyone think it would be legal. You don't have to be making a living or do this as a hobby to know difference between right and wrong. If someone told me they can sell me a brand new car for $1000 dollars while it costs $20000, anyone with common sense would know that the car must be stolen.

elgemcdlf · #12 (**permalink**) 08-28-2006, 04:02 PM

I agree with you, but also know what one charges for over here may very well be free over there. Univision is a perfect example. I am reasonably confident the Arabic channels fit into the same category. I got into FTA / learned of it's existance searching for Univision for my gf. I refused to have one of those little pizza dishes on my house. I knew I could buy it from them (DN/DTV) but could not bring myself to have one of their dishes on my property.

I was searching for a way to get a sub to it with the 922 as it is broadcast VCII just not for general use. Not in a freq the 922 can handle. Everyone I called said we can not offer that channel. We can not sell programming from that sat (referring to SatMex5). Now she has coming up on 200 channels in Spanish and every single one of them free and legit. Not to mention some really fine channels. If you want to throw in the sub to Starz/Encore which I can change language on she even has 24 premium movie channels.

So I throw out to you and believe me not wishing to engage in any fight with you over this one. DN wants I believe $40.00 per month for their Spanish language package on top of a normal programming package. So we are at roughly $60.00 a month. I get everything they offer EXCEPT Galavision plus many many more for the cost of a FTA system. Granted I am installing a big dish with a circular C Band lnbf just for the channels on 40.5. I also seem to be in a great location for sweeping the arc over America. But all in all I probably have less than $500.00 in everything for the FTA system.

If you would have told me I could get 200 Spanish language channels for a $500.00 one time investment a year ago I would have been very skeptical of what you said. Would have sounded way too good to be true. Something had to be up with this plan. Channels that would be considered premium channels.

Vorg · #13 (**permalink**) 08-28-2006, 05:01 PM

The FTA waters ae very muddy indeed. You have the pay sat companies trying to convence people that all FTA is ilegal. In canda newspapers wont even run adds for FTA equipment. Then you have the people who think if they can get it for free it is FTA. On several boards they have sections called "True FTA". Then there is the 4dtv stuff listed as FTA on lynsat, BUT you need an activated unit to get it So really its not FTA ether, it's part of the activation package you have to buy.

A few of us tried to get some interrest in getting some of the comercial programing that is now only on pay sats to true FTA. While everyones "fixes" where down there was growing interrest in it and more and more people asking what all was up there. But as soon as a bin came out the thread died. The few that are still trying for this are now on another board in a section called the fta project working on ideas to make it happen.

motorcycle_rider · #14 (**permalink**) 08-28-2006, 10:30 PM

On the other end of the spectrum of the original topic. I spent hours, yes hours explaining to my niebors that I am not recieving illegal programing. It actually took him coming over while I was aiming one of my dishes and seeing the $ sign and me showing him that I could not watch those channels.

Mind you I live in a small town that in my opinion is a technological abyss. So if people here suspect hacking then I really do not see how a person would actually believe that they are not breaking the law. Expecially since I had to defend myself so much when I was in no wrong. BTW people I work with also have asked me about it and each one took some time explaining to get them to understand my intentions with my system.

elgemcdlf · #15 (**permalink**) 08-29-2006, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by motorcycle_rider

On the other end of the spectrum of the original topic. I spent hours, yes hours explaining to my niebors that I am not recieving illegal programing. It actually took him coming over while I was aiming one of my dishes and seeing the $ sign and me showing him that I could not watch those channels.

Mind you I live in a small town that in my opinion is a technological abyss. So if people here suspect hacking then I really do not see how a person would actually believe that they are not breaking the law. Expecially since I had to defend myself so much when I was in no wrong. BTW people I work with also have asked me about it and each one took some time explaining to get them to understand my intentions with my system.

I think what compounded thr issue was a DN employee sold them DN programming/ equipment. As to your note seems as many simply do not believe tv can be had for free. Guess when cable went in the antenea went out and that was that