[TelstraClear] Installer told me my cables were illegal

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rattler

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# 18183 31-Dec-2007 13:16

i had a recent experience when a tc installer came to install cable in the flat downstairs. he told me that the cable i had run under the house (to feed the analouge free channels from the tc signal to another tv) were illegal.. and then he proceded to unplug my extra cable and plug the cables he had run for the flat downstairs into my splitter!! grr..

i had not cut any cables, only added to the splitter that was already there for my cable tv and cable internet.
i have only plugged in a 14" tv to the cable so as to get a very clear signal of tv1, tv2, tv3, c4 and prime.

have i actually do anything illegal?

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# 102388 31-Dec-2007 13:48

Yes you have, although there are un-encrypted channels available, you are not meant to use anything but a TCL STB to watch TV.

rattler

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# 102389 31-Dec-2007 14:15

rscole86: Yes you have, although there are un-encrypted channels available, you are not meant to use anything but a TCL STB to watch TV.

i was of the understanding that it was illegal to charge for free to air channels?.

ZollyMonsta

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# 102391 31-Dec-2007 14:55

The point here is, you have connected a non TCL approved device to their network. You have also run cables (provided by yourself) along with a splitter (non tcl-approved) and connected it to the TCL network.

ChuckNorris

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# 102393 31-Dec-2007 15:01

rattler:
rscole86: Yes you have, although there are un-encrypted channels available, you are not meant to use anything but a TCL STB to watch TV.

i was of the understanding that it was illegal to charge for free to air channels?.

Where are they charging you for the free to air channels? They are charging you for access to their cable TV network. Also you pay for the Sky and TCL channels that you subscribe to, not the free to air channels.

You should consider yourself lucky that you have not had your services terminated for breaching your TOS.

Fossie

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# 102395 31-Dec-2007 15:24

I'd Just buy one of these

rattler

72 posts

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# 102401 31-Dec-2007 16:13

ZollyMonsta: The point here is, you have connected a non TCL approved device to their network. You have also run cables (provided by yourself) along with a splitter (non tcl-approved) and connected it to the TCL network.

hmmm but the installer proceded to use my splitter?

Chucknorris: Where are they charging you for the free to air channels? They are charging you for access to their cable TV network. Also you pay for the Sky and TCL channels that you subscribe to, not the free to air channels.

ok.. that i understand..

so would it be ok for me to move my stb to the other room... hmmm.. need to get them to do the wiring i guess.. $80...

jpollock

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# 102403 31-Dec-2007 16:16

There is an ever so slight difference between "illegal" and "against the terms of service".

Even better, TCL's Terms of Service make no mention of not being allowed to plug in your own extensions.

All it says is that TCL owns all of the equipment, and you aren't allowed to break or modify it.

http://www.telstraclear.co.nz/company-info/terms-and-conditions/inhome.cfm

Specifically, http://www.telstraclear.co.nz/company-info/terms-and-conditions/residential

I call BS.

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rattler

72 posts

Master Geek

# 102404 31-Dec-2007 16:18

Fossie: I'd Just buy one of these

cant use the antenna.. we are in an area where the wind (southerlies) are channeled into a bit of a valley.. have had 2 profesionally installed antennas ripped from the roof..
even dishes take a battering.

jpollock

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# 102405 31-Dec-2007 16:29

Rattler, click the link. :) It's a 4-way splitter to replace the 2-way. :)

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sbiddle

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# 102406 31-Dec-2007 16:38

jpollock: There is an ever so slight difference between "illegal" and "against the terms of service".

Even better, TCL's Terms of Service make no mention of not being allowed to plug in your own extensions.

All it says is that TCL owns all of the equipment, and you aren't allowed to break or modify it.

http://www.telstraclear.co.nz/company-info/terms-and-conditions/inhome.cfm

Specifically, http://www.telstraclear.co.nz/company-info/terms-and-conditions/residential

I call BS.

To quote from those T&C's

We will remain the owner of any equipment that we locate at your home to enable you to use the services, such as cabling, decoder and cable modem.

...

In return for allowing you to use our equipment, you agree to:

* not tamper or interfere with our equipment

What you're doing is exactly this.

People just seem completely oblivious to the potential problems of DIY wiring, particularly on a RF based network where something as simple as a dodgy F connector that allows RF interference to be injected back into the network has the potential to cause major problems for everybody on the same node. If you're anywhere near a TV transmitter the risk of RF bleeding into the cable network via is even greater. If you make modifications to your wiring that cause interference TCL will hunt you down. That's not a threat it's reality.

rattler

72 posts

Master Geek

# 102407 31-Dec-2007 16:39

jpollock: Rattler, click the link. :) It's a 4-way splitter to replace the 2-way. :)

i started to reply thinking that was what Fossie meant.. but then i thought fossie may have been meaning i should splitt an antenna signal...

i wont say exactly what ive done... but i can say that im not unhappy like i was while the tech was still at my house..

after reading the T&Cs there would only be 1 line that could have worked against me (had it checked by a lawyer i know just now).

"not tamper or interfere with our equipment"

but the fact that the installer has used my addition to complete his work means that it is not "interfering" and it cannot be "tampering" if it was what an installer would have done. (in laymans terms... aparently).

cokemaster

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# 102410 31-Dec-2007 16:58

rattler:
but the fact that the installer has used my addition to complete his work means that it is not "interfering" and it cannot be "tampering" if it was what an installer would have done. (in laymans terms... aparently).

So in this instance, the spliter might not be the issue. However that does not exclude the cabling that you did yourself nor does it exclude the TV that you are plugging in.

However, as previously pointed out by both ZollyMonsta and sbiddle. There is a very real reason why they would want only approved devices and wiring connected to their network. Unapproved (untested) configuations can cause issues to yourself and other users on that node.

If reception is such an issue, get a second decoder and get the wiring done by their installer.

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rattler

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Master Geek

# 102412 31-Dec-2007 17:14

yupp.. i hear ya.. and TC have been good to me..

i was more annoyed at the fact that the installer said it was illegal..

as far as i was concerned i was not doing anything unlawful..

ohh well..

life goes on.

rscole86

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# 102414 31-Dec-2007 17:20

sbiddle: If you make modifications to your wiring that cause interference TCL will hunt you down. That's not a threat it's reality.

Someone who lives near to me had this happen to them. They were the only person on their node, TCL signed up a new customer, however their services were not working correctly.
As there was only one person who could cuase the fault, they paid them a house call and found their 'dodgy' wiring. AFAIK they were only given a warning not to do it again.

freitasm

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# 102415 31-Dec-2007 17:25

I think "illegal" and "unlawful" are heavy words. I doubt there's a law that states "thou shall not use the cable connection from a splitter". More like a Terms of Services thing...

But I know what you mean...

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