Sky TV on HTPC (legally!) without a STB

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Ultimate Geek

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# 126889 28-Apr-2008 20:55

No, but I believe you do pay a higher monthly fee. (which I THINK is $25 higher, the same price as an additional decoder/card) - I could be wrong about that though.

cranz

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# 126893 28-Apr-2008 21:12

You pay a "Joining fee" for MySky but besides that your monthly subscription cost is the same regardless if decoder is MySky or Normal

MY SKY decoder.
Joining Fee – $599.00
Normal monthly subscription rates apply.

willnz

573 posts

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# 126901 28-Apr-2008 21:28

Ah ok. Maybe that covers the extra costs as well as the MySky unit? I don't know. But if you have a standard subscription and are "viewing" (or recording and viewing) two channels at once, to me that's no different than card sharing really. It's decoding two encrypted channels at once using one subscription, so technically surely you're effectively "stealing" the second decrypted channel.

Don't quote me though - I'm not a lawyer, nor am I an expert in Sky's T&C's

richms

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# 126914 28-Apr-2008 22:20

mysky decrypts on playback, so its not decrypting more then one stream at once.

Richard rich.ms

willnz

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# 126923 28-Apr-2008 22:52

Nah, I meant with Satch's original post (using two tuners with one recording one decrypted channel and the other one viewing a decrypted channel simultaneously).

Perhaps if it were possible to record the encrypted video and decode that later like you suggest richms that might be an option? Who knows... Either way, Sky can terminate your service at any time as they see fit, so whether or not it's specifically stated in the terms and conditions, if they don't like it and they tell you to stop and you keep doing it, they can still give you the boot.

Personally I'd stay quiet about it if I was doing it, but that's just me.

gareth40

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Wannabe Geek

# 126932 28-Apr-2008 23:42

it is possible to record several encrypted channels from the same transponder if you only have one tuner, then use a program like offline descrambler to decode later using your subscription card http://joshyfun.peque.org/OfflineDescrambler/index.html

richms

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# 126935 29-Apr-2008 00:02

Yes, but I think the chances of one of the authors of a HTPC application building in support for dumping the crypted streams and then processing later when a card is available are somewhat remote so its still a very manual process at the moment.

Richard rich.ms

BarTender

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# 126937 29-Apr-2008 00:13

The problems with ndscam and other softcams is that they are a product of reverse engineering on the part of a developer who doesn't get sub-licensing from the encryption provider. For example, TelstraClear use Irdeto which you can go out to any old store and purchase a CAM aka smartcard to PCMCIA converter that does all the decryption management for you. For Sky, they use NDS encryption, which no such CAM exists. NDS/News Corp are extremely agressive in their protection of their encryption technology (not that they are not known for hiring hackers to break compedators CA systems) they don't sub-license to any CAM manufacturers, they only sub-license to Set Top Box makers such as Pace etc. Using them would be grounds to be kicked off either providers network. I recommend people tread carefully.

Using non-sky approved hardware to decrypt sky signal is most definatly against Sky's T&C's (as it is also against Telstra's T&C's).

Section 10 from Sky's T&C's, is pretty clear about what you are not allowed to do. It used to be section 11, they have changed it a bit, Section 10.3 is the reason why I would never join sky again "We have an irrevocable right at any time during the term of this contract to enter the HOME, or any other location that you own or lease, in order to maintain, replace or repossess the Equipment or where we have reasonable grounds to believe that you are not complying with your obligations under this contract."... scary...

Telstraclear have similar T&C's, I just couldn't find it atm, however I do know they say that you are not allowed to connect anything other than TCL approved hardware to their cable network.

willnz

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Ultimate Geek

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# 126938 29-Apr-2008 00:19

Can you point me to the specific section about not using Sky approved equipment BarTender? I couldn't find it when I looked through, only stuff about you can't use THEIR equipment for any "other purpose" (a doorstop?)

richms

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# 126941 29-Apr-2008 00:28

Section 10 from Sky's T&C's, is pretty clear about what you are not allowed to do. It used to be section 11, they have changed it a bit, Section 10.3 is the reason why I would never join sky again "We have an irrevocable right at any time during the term of this contract to enter the HOME, or any other location that you own or lease, in order to maintain, replace or repossess the Equipment or where we have reasonable grounds to believe that you are not complying with your obligations under this contract."... scary...

Telstraclear have similar T&C's, I just couldn't find it atm, however I do know they say that you are not allowed to connect anything other than TCL approved hardware to their cable network.

That clause doesnt give them the right to not leave when asked, or to enter the property without your concent. I dont know why they put that crap in there, its a good thing they have a severability clause since thats just one of several clauses that contradict law.

They could use your refusal to allow access as grounds to terminate the contract, and thats about it. Theres no damages if they dont get access, so nothing to take you to court over. Dont worry about stupid contracts like that.

Richard rich.ms

mcraenz

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# 126944 29-Apr-2008 00:36

What difference does it make? It's obvious that Sky ain't gonna like it, I'm sure they're well aware of it, and they can always update their T&C. Do you need Sky to give you a big kiss just so you have a clean conscience? Least said soonest mended.

Visit My Blog!

willnz

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# 126948 29-Apr-2008 00:45

LOL - Who wouldn't love a big sloppy kiss from Grandma Sky!?

BarTender

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# 126950 29-Apr-2008 01:01

mcraenz: It's obvious that Sky ain't gonna like it.

Yup, they didn't get to make $600 out of you for a PVR that you can't even access the content at a later date in digital form :)

richms

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# 126953 29-Apr-2008 01:11

BarTender:
Yup, they didn't get to make $600 out of you for a PVR that you can't even access the content at a later date in digital form :)

How would this work with the box office channels. would a card hit for one screening decrypt all prior screenings that have being dumped to disc, or do the keys or whatever cycle between movies on the same SBO channels?

Richard rich.ms

eXDee

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# 127160 29-Apr-2008 20:48

All this talk of sky cancelling your account and the like for not using the STB - care to share how they would know?
I beleive its mostly a 1 way service, you receive the beams and the stb decrypts them and shows them. For pay per view etc its sent down the phone line.
I cant see how they would even know?

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