Possible to use sky box as card reader?

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Rollux

362 posts

Ultimate Geek

Topic # 74924 10-Jan-2011 21:51
I have in my posession an old sky box (Pace DSR620) and have been thinking about sorting out a card reader for the HTPC to get TV1,2 & 3 in HD via Sky (paying the $18/month FTA package) I notice the serial port on te back of the unit, which is no doubt deactivated for us, but does anyone know if it is possible to update the firmware to allow the serial port to pass the encryption data? Basically I want to know if I can just use the STB as a hardware CAM unit (kinda like a Dreambox i suppose) Lounge: WIN7 HOME x64 HTPC - E6420 2.13Ghz - 4Gb 800MHZ PATRIOT RAM - ASUS HD5670 1GB ASUS P5B-VM MOBO - LG BLU-RAY DRIVE - BG3595 TUNER - 1.5TB STORAGE PANASONIC 42" FULL HD PLASMA - PIONEER VSX1019AHK RECEIVER - WHARFDALE DIAMOND 10 SPEAKERS Man Cave: XBOX 360 MODERN WARFARE 2 EDITION - PANASONIC 37" PLASMA - SONY MONSTA 5.1 SURROUND SYSTEM

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Uber Geek

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Biddle Corp

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Reply # 425978 11-Jan-2011 06:22
Simple answer is no.. But anybody is possible if you have access to STB source code and the knowledge to completely rewrite the STB software but I'm sure you won't find anybody on here who can do that! Buy a Dreambox if you want a Dreambox, they're under $100 incl shipping with the $ at present. *Need help configuring your Linksys ATA or IP Phones for New Zealand? Check my blog post

362 posts

Ultimate Geek

Reply # 426002 11-Jan-2011 08:54
Thanks for the simple answer sbiddle. Don't want a dreambox, just want a card reader and don't have the skills to build a phoenix reader. Oh well, looks like an Infinity reader it will be! Anyone want a sky box to play with? Sky don't seem at all interested in it back - i have told them 6 times over the past 2 years that I don't need it anymore and they keep telling me they'll get someone round to pick it up. Still waiting... I'll be keeping the card tho... ;) Lounge: WIN7 HOME x64 HTPC - E6420 2.13Ghz - 4Gb 800MHZ PATRIOT RAM - ASUS HD5670 1GB ASUS P5B-VM MOBO - LG BLU-RAY DRIVE - BG3595 TUNER - 1.5TB STORAGE PANASONIC 42" FULL HD PLASMA - PIONEER VSX1019AHK RECEIVER - WHARFDALE DIAMOND 10 SPEAKERS Man Cave: XBOX 360 MODERN WARFARE 2 EDITION - PANASONIC 37" PLASMA - SONY MONSTA 5.1 SURROUND SYSTEM

220 posts

Master Geek

Reply # 426063 11-Jan-2011 11:42
Well a dreambox with one of the DVB Link programs can act as a networked card reader apparently, if the dreambox has its own connection to the dish then it can also update its entitlements...

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Reply # 426086 11-Jan-2011 12:30
Rollux: ...don't have the skills to build a phoenix reader... Why don't you give it a go? I have close to zero experience with a soldering iron but managed to build my Jaycar reader first time with no issues. You might surprise yourself...

362 posts

Ultimate Geek

Reply # 426135 11-Jan-2011 14:26
For the same money I can buy an Infinity USB Unlimited, without the risk of me screwing it up! Plus I got an average of 55% in practical work in 6th form electronics, soldering being my biggest weakness. Lounge: WIN7 HOME x64 HTPC - E6420 2.13Ghz - 4Gb 800MHZ PATRIOT RAM - ASUS HD5670 1GB ASUS P5B-VM MOBO - LG BLU-RAY DRIVE - BG3595 TUNER - 1.5TB STORAGE PANASONIC 42" FULL HD PLASMA - PIONEER VSX1019AHK RECEIVER - WHARFDALE DIAMOND 10 SPEAKERS Man Cave: XBOX 360 MODERN WARFARE 2 EDITION - PANASONIC 37" PLASMA - SONY MONSTA 5.1 SURROUND SYSTEM

30 posts

Geek

Reply # 429526 21-Jan-2011 13:37
I use a dreambox to serve My PC, I prefer it to the Infinity USB setup I had before because I don't have to have any programs running on the PC and I had issues with it waking from sleep and recording when I was using NewCS on the PC.

362 posts

Ultimate Geek

Reply # 429984 22-Jan-2011 19:57
Still got the old Infinity? Want to sell it? Lounge: WIN7 HOME x64 HTPC - E6420 2.13Ghz - 4Gb 800MHZ PATRIOT RAM - ASUS HD5670 1GB ASUS P5B-VM MOBO - LG BLU-RAY DRIVE - BG3595 TUNER - 1.5TB STORAGE PANASONIC 42" FULL HD PLASMA - PIONEER VSX1019AHK RECEIVER - WHARFDALE DIAMOND 10 SPEAKERS Man Cave: XBOX 360 MODERN WARFARE 2 EDITION - PANASONIC 37" PLASMA - SONY MONSTA 5.1 SURROUND SYSTEM

30 posts

Geek

Reply # 430017 22-Jan-2011 21:12
I wanted to keep it as a backup, and it's only an Infinity USB Smart, which means you can't overclock it. Those cheap dreambox clones don't inspire a lot of confidence in reliability :)

213 posts

Master Geek

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Reply # 435614 5-Feb-2011 10:41
Rollux: Still got the old Infinity? Want to sell it? I purchased a couple of the Infinity card readers, and would be happy to sell... PM me if interested.