subscription to Directv

dullfig · #1 (**permalink**) 08-23-2005, 02:28 AM

Dear Moderator:

I have a subscription to Directv. Lately I have been thinking of putting together a HTPC, and one of the things I'd like it to do is record scheduled programs. Now, it seems a roundabout solution to connect the set-top-box to the video capture board, when there are satelite receivers available. of course the signal would have to be "descrambled", and I know the rules about "hacking talk"; but if you decode a signal for which you would be authorized to view anyways, is this still ilegal? In other words, if I am not authorized to view HBO, for example, and I can prove (somehow, I havn't figured that part out

that I am not hacking HBO, is this OK?

bobkat · #2 (**permalink**) 08-23-2005, 10:21 AM

If I understand your question correctly I think that you would not be legally allowed to descramble HBO on any receiver other than the one authorized by DirecTV. Each subscription applies to specific receivers on one account.

kat

vj9999 · #3 (**permalink**) 08-23-2005, 10:22 AM

Yes it is illegal. You are only authorized to view your subscribed services on equipment authorized by the provider.

Besides, there is no satellite receiver (set top or for the computer) that supports DirecTV's propriatery video format. They do not use mpeg-2 (which is a DVB standard), they use heir own propriatery variation of it.

dullfig · #4 (**permalink**) 08-23-2005, 11:39 AM

Ok, sorry for turning this into a whole discussion

(maybe we should move it over to a sepparate thread)

I saw a card on twinhan that has a slot for CAM cards. Now, by what you guys have said, obviously it would not help me with Directv. But do you know if it would take a Dish Network card? I'd be willing to move over for the convenience of not needing the set-top box to feed into my HTPC...

Or maybe I should go cable

Dan