This all I need?

[Cynan]

Hi everyone. After going through this entire forum and reading every thread I think I'm now ready to get a card and have a go. I just thought I'd list the steps needed to double-check I had it all down right.

Once you have a DVB-C card you use the 'DVB-C ProgDvb and files' tutorial to get everything working. It doesn't seem to suggest you need to input your boxkey anywhere though or any other keys. I assume the softcam.key and v_keys.db are the 'keys' and will work provided they have not changed - if they do, use the BigMaq toolbar (or the new Chatterbox one), do a bit of editing and they you go - new keys. Sounds simple enough eh.

The only issue is that auto-update does not work.. though no doubt there will be some program out there (or will be soon?) that automatically goes to the same place the toolbar does, gets the latest keys and updates them for you.

Now for a hardcam (needed for MCE or just if you want more dediciated hardware decryption) you can follow Ciwan's tutorial. This time you DO need the boxkey and the IRD.

(BTW. Ciwan, the tutorial says to input the IRD forward, but doesn't mention which way you input the boxkey. From what I've read here you input it backwards, but it might be a good idea to update the tutorial to say this?)

Why do you ned the IRD and boxkey for the hardcam but not the softcam? Is this because the ukbruteforce file tries them all till it finds one that works fot the softcam?

Auto update does work on the hardcams. How does this work exactly? I assume as you have put in the same keys as your STB uses, it will pick up the same signals sent to that and update it self. However it will update itself with the package you're on surely and as soon as they key rolls you will have to update the card again yourself with the new keys?

Or do CAM firmware like the joker fix this by cracking it or going on the internet periodically and update itself from a similar place to the toolbars?? This is the one thing I couldn't find out about - why do some of you update your CAM firmware. Ciwan's tutorial doesn't suggest you need to do this.

I plan on purchasin the FloppyDTV card and trying the softcam route first. I have a feeling I'll be moving to the hardcam set up though soon after which is why I thought I'd get the FloppyDTV card first as I'd be able to slot in a CAM later whichout having to spend more on another card.

Thanks all. Great site, great advice.

[willin]

Originally Posted by Cynan

Hi everyone. After going through this entire forum and reading every thread I think I'm now ready to get a card and have a go. I just thought I'd list the steps needed to double-check I had it all down right.

Once you have a DVB-C card you use the 'DVB-C ProgDvb and files' tutorial to get everything working. It doesn't seem to suggest you need to input your boxkey anywhere though or any other keys. I assume the softcam.key and v_keys.db are the 'keys' and will work provided they have not changed - if they do, use the BigMaq toolbar (or the new Chatterbox one), do a bit of editing and they you go - new keys. Sounds simple enough eh.

The only issue is that auto-update does not work.. though no doubt there will be some program out there (or will be soon?) that automatically goes to the same place the toolbar does, gets the latest keys and updates them for you.

Now for a hardcam (needed for MCE or just if you want more dediciated hardware decryption) you can follow Ciwan's tutorial. This time you DO need the boxkey and the IRD.

(BTW. Ciwan, the tutorial says to input the IRD forward, but doesn't mention which way you input the boxkey. From what I've read here you input it backwards, but it might be a good idea to update the tutorial to say this?)

Why do you ned the IRD and boxkey for the hardcam but not the softcam? Is this because the ukbruteforce file tries them all till it finds one that works fot the softcam?

Auto update does work on the hardcams. How does this work exactly? I assume as you have put in the same keys as your STB uses, it will pick up the same signals sent to that and update it self. However it will update itself with the package you're on surely and as soon as they key rolls you will have to update the card again yourself with the new keys?

Or do CAM firmware like the joker fix this by cracking it or going on the internet periodically and update itself from a similar place to the toolbars?? This is the one thing I couldn't find out about - why do some of you update your CAM firmware. Ciwan's tutorial doesn't suggest you need to do this.

I plan on purchasin the FloppyDTV card and trying the softcam route first. I have a feeling I'll be moving to the hardcam set up though soon after which is why I thought I'd get the FloppyDTV card first as I'd be able to slot in a CAM later whichout having to spend more on another card.

Thanks all. Great site, great advice.

You need a software program like progdvb, dvbdream, etc (free) dvbviewer, mytheatre etc (paid for), boxkey is for hardcams. V keys. db is a database of keys but these are often out of date although I think you can edit them in the softcam, I find it easier to input keys manually.
I think any box key and ird will do for cards (its not like a stb) but twintown or someone else will be able to advise about that, afaik ciwans tut is for a funcard, you can use a few different types of cards to decrypt, you will need a programmer for cards. A .ini file (the bruteforce being one) is to find the frequency’s the channels are on as they vary throughout the county. AU works on hardcams as the card reads the keys from the stream, as do the cc’s cards on a stb.
Wow you ask lots of questions, I hope this has answered a few, I think there is a guide to cable somewhere. You may want to read a bit more before your card comes!!!

[Cynan]

Thanks, and sorry, I didn't mean to ask a lot! Just there were things I wasn't sure on and being a curious soul thought I'd ask.

Right so the cable company send the codes down the stream for any one in the know to read. How silly of them! I'd have thought they'd send you new cards in the post to stop non subscribers prinching them so easily.

I've installed ProgDVB and I tried out Medial Portal earlier today too, though I found Media Portal would crash every now and again. I also installed vplug and emmuNation and played around with those in ProgDVB. I've only a DVB-T card at present so can't really get into the fun stuff yet though.

I'm clear now on using a softcam, but I'll still one question on hardcams... why do people buy one and then reflash it with the joker firmeare? What's wrong with the firmware that comes with the Dragon/T-Rex, MagicCam etc?

I'll have a try of DVDDream now and see if there is a trial of DVDViewer and MyTheatre to have a go at too before I decide to for a hardcam. Thing is I'm really used to MediaCentre and like it a lot so might have to go that way. Check on the card programmer. If I get one I'll go for the USB Infinity as recommended on these forums.

Thanks again willin.