[TelstraClear] TelstraClear new Digital TV service

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27 posts

Geek

#22922 9-Nov-2005 21:01

Had an email from TCL re: using you're own DVB-C device instead of their set-top-box :

"The response was that you need to hire the decoder off TelstraClear. So my answer
to my question was a policy decision, however the product manager didn't discuss if
there was a technical limitation or not."

Still not clear whether it would work or not.
-don't know if the FTA channels are encrypted
-no word on (future or otherwise) use of your own CI/CAM for decoding of encrypted channels

I think it's safe to say they'll be QAM64 encoding, but proof will be in the pudding as to what's encrypted or not......

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#22938 10-Nov-2005 09:37

safest bet is... just use what is provided by TCL.

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sbbaxter

27 posts

Geek

#22998 10-Nov-2005 20:01

Yeah, problem is it's too limited and doesn't suit my purposes.

Using their crappy set-top-box makes my PVR little better than a vanilla VCR.

Oh yay, 1980-90s technology.

lchiu7

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#23008 10-Nov-2005 21:44

sbbaxter: Yeah, problem is it's too limited and doesn't suit my purposes.

Using their crappy set-top-box makes my PVR little better than a vanilla VCR.

Oh yay, 1980-90s technology.

Hmm - I am seriously considering moving to digital because some channels are only available on digital. I use a PVR based on gbpvr and a USB-UIRT to change channels on the cable box when a recording is about to start. If the USB-UIRT can learn the remote codes for the new cable box, then I don't think there should be any issues.

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358 posts

Ultimate Geek

#23992 28-Nov-2005 15:24

sbbaxter: Had an email from TCL re: using you're own DVB-C device instead of their set-top-box :

"The response was that you need to hire the decoder off TelstraClear. So my answer
to my question was a policy decision, however the product manager didn't discuss if
there was a technical limitation or not."

Still not clear whether it would work or not.
-don't know if the FTA channels are encrypted
-no word on (future or otherwise) use of your own CI/CAM for decoding of encrypted channels

I think it's safe to say they'll be QAM64 encoding, but proof will be in the pudding as to what's encrypted or not......

I've actually got a DVB-C device, and have tried it without any luck. I'm missing one key piece of information, the DVB-C Symbol Rate. I know what frequencies the muxes are transmitted on, I know they use Irdeto2, but I dont know what Symbol Rate they use. I've tried scanning using the common ones used around the world (6.900 MBd, 6.875 MBd etc), but these didnt work. Anyone have a buddy at TCL they can ask? Alternatively, anyone know the installer pin code so I can look in the installers screen for the digital TV box.

I actually suspect all the channels are encrypted, but even using a Irdeto CAM module and your original TCL digital smartcard, you may not be able to view the channels. Given a conversation I over heard between my installed and the 'guy back the office' he was talking to, I suspect they've actually paired (locked) the smartcards to the specific decoder serial number which you've been allocated.

I should point out, this is not related to hacking, and wont allow you to view channels for free, but rather finding a better way to connect the DVB-C digital channels to my TV (or to record them). I'm not happy with the current digital TV box, that only comes with a crappy composite connector.

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#23993 28-Nov-2005 15:29

What a pity the dip stick who chose the decoder specs wasn't involved in the technical setup.. We'd probably have FTA digital channels with no encryption! :-)

sbbaxter

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Geek

#23999 28-Nov-2005 20:58

Agreed - with both of you!!

I'd be happy to pay for the service - and rent a decoder (for another room) if I could use my own dvb-C and CI.

Guess I'll stick to DVB-S (Sky etc) to get my channels!

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sbbaxter

27 posts

Geek

#24007 28-Nov-2005 23:18

Incidentally, RE:symbol rates, what platform are you using?

If you're using linux, have you tried some of the DVB utils for channel scanning? I've had MUCH more success with this than any Windows utils.

linuxtv-dvb-apps-1.1.0 or newer, using scan & szap

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Ultimate Geek

#24008 29-Nov-2005 04:47

I'm on Windows, and have tried both myTheatre and the Twinhan DTV software. Both do the scan the same way - through a list of frequencies 50Mhz - 858Mhz checking a few common symbol rates, and giving you the option to enter a custom symbol rate. It would take forever to work it out by trial and error.

ntddevsys

15 posts

Geek

#24251 5-Dec-2005 18:12

Was just wondering if TelstraClear have made any changes to the configuration of their digital decoders since this thread was started ?

I was thinking of moving to Digital TV (2 decoders), but after reading here I'm not so sure that's a good idea - instead I'll try Telecom again (annoyingly they still want circa $200 for a 12+ month contract to have Sky install it).

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#24252 5-Dec-2005 20:16

wait a bit longer into 2006 if you can... as i heard that there is a new decoder coming for TCL, and it's called "Mach III".

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Master Geek

#24253 5-Dec-2005 20:22

Mmm, can't wait. On a positive note (for a change), I have not had any issues with the service for the past few weeks now. I also think that they have been tweaking a few things here and there as I do believe the image quality has improved vastly since I was on the trial... TVONE looks especially scrummy - if only they had more decent programming ;o)

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sarnold

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Master Geek

#24254 5-Dec-2005 20:24

But why is the lip sych so bad?

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#24256 5-Dec-2005 20:29

the only thing that i'm not completely satisfy at this alright-bearable service is the unbalanced volume between channels!!!! Disney channel always loud, Nickalodean is very soft, Cartoon Network varies. Discovery is soft most the time. Movie 1 and 2 varies between movies. E! and Living channels are soft too. very annoying when changing channels!

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Master Geek

#24257 5-Dec-2005 21:07

I found the volume differences much worse on the analogue service tbh. Friends with Sky say they suffer the same problem though. I figure if Telstra are just re-broadcasting sky stuff, then there isn't a lot they can do with the audio signal level without lots of tweaking (or is there? I am certainly no expurt).

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