My TV has a DVB-C Tuner... - Virgin Media TV and Phone

spanglysteve · 23-03-2008, 13:44

My Sony kdl32d3000 has a digital cable tuner in it. Does this mean that if I bought a relevant CAM, I could plug the virgin wire directly into the back to receive the channels directly through the tv's tuner?

BenMcr77 · 23-03-2008, 14:04

Nope.

Virgin's smartcards are tied soley to their STBs. You cannot buy a CAM for DVB-C in the UK

damienbutler008 · 23-03-2008, 15:35

you can but not legally..

Beavis99 · 23-03-2008, 15:54

You *may* be able to receive some channels as they *may* be broadcast unencrypted. This is entirely area and indeed headend dependent. People have noted that BBC and ITV channels were available in the clear, along with random (presumably OnDemand) streams. You could briefly try connecting up directly, do a scan and see if it picks anything up, then disconnect.

But yes, connecting non-VM supplied equipment without an installer present will contravene VM's T&C's.

B

BenMcr77 · 23-03-2008, 15:58

Not only that but breaking the encryption on Virgin Media TV services is a criminal offence, not just breaking Virgin T&Cs

Beavis99 · 23-03-2008, 15:59

...only if the program stream is encrypted

digi al · 23-03-2008, 16:08

Virgin Media is not supported,see link below

http://support.sony-europe.com/TV/DV...l=en&cam=smart

Sirius · 23-03-2008, 16:38

There's of course a difference between "not supported" and "doesn't work".

ntlhellworld · 23-03-2008, 18:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by spanglysteve

My Sony kdl32d3000 has a digital cable tuner in it. Does this mean that if I bought a relevant CAM, I could plug the virgin wire directly into the back to receive the channels directly through the tv's tuner?

That is correct.

Btw, even without a CAM, you should still be able to view unencrypted broadcasts (BBC1 thru to channel 5, news 24, some other BBC stuff, and a load of radio stations). Check that these work before buying a CAM though.

Although, are you sure that the kdl32d3000 has a DVB-C tuner ?

Quote:

Originally Posted by BenMcr77

Not only that but breaking the encryption on Virgin Media TV services is a criminal offence, not just breaking Virgin T&Cs

Even if you had a nagravision CAM to view the encrypted channels, you would still need to put a Virgin Media smart card into the CAM for that to work, so your still paying them for the service.

I think that Virgin should encourage this functionality, in the same way that Top Up TV do on DTT/Freeview.

-Chris

BenMcr77 · 23-03-2008, 19:14

But at this point they don't, so connecting anything apart from an authorised STB breaks Virgin T&Cs

AFAIK only the analogue signals on the network are unencrypted, BBC 1 etc on digital are still smartcard locked

spanglysteve · 23-03-2008, 19:26

I have no intention of actually doing this, I was just wondering if it was technically possible. Also I am on a very good bundle from Virgin so have no intention of trying to get stuff without paying. Though it would be nice to be rid of a box below the tv, it still wouldnt suit my needs as i have a V+ and I couldnt be without the features it gives me!

Sirius · 23-03-2008, 20:16

Why don't you find out for us if its technically possible

?

ntlhellworld · 23-03-2008, 20:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by BenMcr77

But at this point they don't, so connecting anything apart from an authorised STB breaks Virgin T&Cs

Very True. There is no reason why it should do though, if most european cable networks allow it, and TVs made for the region are being designed for the same standards ? It seems ridiculous.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BenMcr77

AFAIK only the analogue signals on the network are unencrypted, BBC 1 etc on digital are still smartcard locked

Nope, If you pull the smartcard out of your STB you can still view everything I mentioned.

-Chris

goomba · 23-03-2008, 20:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by BenMcr77

But at this point they don't, so connecting anything apart from an authorised STB breaks Virgin T&Cs

I guess if somebody is not a customer they have not signed up to the T&Cs, so no problemo.

BenMcr77 · 24-03-2008, 01:17

The other thing of course is if/when Virgin upgrade their network from MPEG2 to MPEG4, the DVB-C tuners will stop working anyway.

Sky dabbled with DVB-S tuners in a couple of Panasonic TVs (i think). In the end decided it was more trouble that it was worth by the looks of it, as nothing happened past that.

Even the current built in freeview tuners (DVB-T) will be obsolete when HD freeview (MPEG4) appears

ssamantha · 24-03-2008, 01:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by BenMcr77

Sky dabbled with DVB-S tuners in a couple of Panasonic TVs (i think). In the end decided it was more trouble that it was worth by the looks of it, as nothing happened past that.

I think it was Panasonic dabbling with Sky rather than the other way around. The sets weren't a success, largely because (even back then) the decoders were liable to become out of date/redundant more quickly than the TV.

Sirius · 24-03-2008, 14:02

The sets of course could be made MPEG4 compatible using CAMs that transcode MPEG4 to MPEG2.

A move to DVB-C2 on the other hand would present a problem. That said could Virgin Media afford to replace the 3.3m STBs they have when DVB-C2 finally gets approval? I doubt it.

There's equally no indication they plan to move to MPEG4, and if they do it'd likely be HD services and not SD channels (SD being relevant for this set, HD I presume not although I'm sure someone will verify either way).

If someone has a STB with RF loop through they might be able to answer us within the Virgin T&Cs.

TV DUNIYA · 24-03-2008, 19:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sirius

The sets of course could be made MPEG4 compatible using CAMs that transcode MPEG4 to MPEG2.

A move to DVB-C2 on the other hand would present a problem. That said could Virgin Media afford to replace the 3.3m STBs they have when DVB-C2 finally gets approval? I doubt it.

There's equally no indication they plan to move to MPEG4, and if they do it'd likely be HD services and not SD channels (SD being relevant for this set, HD I presume not although I'm sure someone will verify either way).

If someone has a STB with RF loop through they might be able to answer us within the Virgin T&Cs.

Having briefly directly connected the cable connection to a Sony HXD-870 Dvd/HDD recorder,which has a DVB-C tuner(named as CATV:S01-S05/S1-S20),and Hyper band(S21-S41).
It receives 34 channels in total,however only 1-5,are viewable,the rest e.g MTV,Animal Planet,Disney Cinemagic are encrypted with presumably macrovision,as they have a distorted rolling picture,which jumps as well every few seconds,making them unviewable.

Sirius · 24-03-2008, 19:41

That sounds to me like analogue cable encrypted , not digital cable (DVB-C).

Beavis99 · 24-03-2008, 22:18

A quick read of their manual from Sonys website shows it hasn't got a DVB-C tuner, only a combined analogue/DVB-T. So yes, it's the analogue bit that you're seeing.

Still waiting on the OP to hook up his TV to the cable network and see what services are available.

B

spanglysteve · 25-03-2008, 23:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beavis99

A quick read of their manual from Sonys website shows it hasn't got a DVB-C tuner, only a combined analogue/DVB-T. So yes, it's the analogue bit that you're seeing.

Still waiting on the OP to hook up his TV to the cable network and see what services are available.

B

If I only have an f-type connector on the cable.. erm cable(!) where can I get an adapter so that I can plug it directly into the aerial socket on my tv?

Fried Kickin · 25-03-2008, 23:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by spanglysteve

If I only have an f-type connector on the cable.. erm cable(!) where can I get an adapter so that I can plug it directly into the aerial socket on my tv?

B & Q

Sirius · 25-03-2008, 23:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by spanglysteve

If I only have an f-type connector on the cable.. erm cable(!) where can I get an adapter so that I can plug it directly into the aerial socket on my tv?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/F-TYPE-FEMALE-...QQcmdZViewItem

Or B&Q as stated above. Maplin also.

spanglysteve · 25-03-2008, 23:47

Good news guys, just bought the connector from the ebay page. I guess it'll be posted out to me tomorrow, so we should hopefully know by Thurs or Fri at the latest... will keep you posted (though may get bored at work tomorrow at lunchtime and try and find a maplins then and spend another whole 99p... ooh i feel wreckless!)

TV DUNIYA · 28-03-2008, 12:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by spanglysteve

Good news guys, just bought the connector from the ebay page. I guess it'll be posted out to me tomorrow, so we should hopefully know by Thurs or Fri at the latest... will keep you posted (though may get bored at work tomorrow at lunchtime and try and find a maplins then and spend another whole 99p... ooh i feel wreckless!)

Don't keep us in suspense,Steve.

Whats the story?

23-03-2008, 13:44	#1
spanglysteve Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Services: Sony KDL32-3000, V+, 3 for £30, XL TV, M phone, M BB Posts: 1,153	My TV has a DVB-C Tuner... My Sony kdl32d3000 has a digital cable tuner in it. Does this mean that if I bought a relevant CAM, I could plug the virgin wire directly into the back to receive the channels directly through the tv's tuner?

23-03-2008, 14:04	#2
BenMcr77 Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Manchester Services: Sky HD Virgin National LLU Posts: 4,199	Nope. Virgin's smartcards are tied soley to their STBs. You cannot buy a CAM for DVB-C in the UK

23-03-2008, 15:35	#3
damienbutler008 Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Full package on both providers Services: SKY HD 1TB, V+ VM XL TV AND PREMIER HD, 4MB BB and Talk unlimited Posts: 147	you can but not legally..

23-03-2008, 15:54	#4
Beavis99 Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Bromley, Kent, UK Services: nynex/C&W/ntl:/VirginMedia Phone, BB 20Mbit, Select TV Pack Posts: 786	You may be able to receive some channels as they may be broadcast unencrypted. This is entirely area and indeed headend dependent. People have noted that BBC and ITV channels were available in the clear, along with random (presumably OnDemand) streams. You could briefly try connecting up directly, do a scan and see if it picks anything up, then disconnect. But yes, connecting non-VM supplied equipment without an installer present will contravene VM's T&C's. B

23-03-2008, 15:58	#5
BenMcr77 Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Manchester Services: Sky HD Virgin National LLU Posts: 4,199	Not only that but breaking the encryption on Virgin Media TV services is a criminal offence, not just breaking Virgin T&Cs

23-03-2008, 15:59	#6
Beavis99 Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Bromley, Kent, UK Services: nynex/C&W/ntl:/VirginMedia Phone, BB 20Mbit, Select TV Pack Posts: 786	...only if the program stream is encrypted

23-03-2008, 16:08	#7
digi al Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Enfield,London Services: V+ box,XL tv,XL broadband Posts: 1,091	Virgin Media is not supported,see link below http://support.sony-europe.com/TV/DV...l=en&cam=smart

23-03-2008, 16:38	#8
Sirius Forum Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Scotland Services: Virgin Phone XL, BB XL, Mobile, Sky HD, motorised sat Posts: 3,183 Blog Entries: 1	There's of course a difference between "not supported" and "doesn't work".

23-03-2008, 19:14	#10
BenMcr77 Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Manchester Services: Sky HD Virgin National LLU Posts: 4,199	But at this point they don't, so connecting anything apart from an authorised STB breaks Virgin T&Cs AFAIK only the analogue signals on the network are unencrypted, BBC 1 etc on digital are still smartcard locked

23-03-2008, 19:26	#11
spanglysteve Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Services: Sony KDL32-3000, V+, 3 for £30, XL TV, M phone, M BB Posts: 1,153	I have no intention of actually doing this, I was just wondering if it was technically possible. Also I am on a very good bundle from Virgin so have no intention of trying to get stuff without paying. Though it would be nice to be rid of a box below the tv, it still wouldnt suit my needs as i have a V+ and I couldnt be without the features it gives me!

23-03-2008, 20:16	#12
Sirius Forum Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Scotland Services: Virgin Phone XL, BB XL, Mobile, Sky HD, motorised sat Posts: 3,183 Blog Entries: 1	Why don't you find out for us if its technically possible ?

24-03-2008, 01:17	#15
BenMcr77 Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Manchester Services: Sky HD Virgin National LLU Posts: 4,199	The other thing of course is if/when Virgin upgrade their network from MPEG2 to MPEG4, the DVB-C tuners will stop working anyway. Sky dabbled with DVB-S tuners in a couple of Panasonic TVs (i think). In the end decided it was more trouble that it was worth by the looks of it, as nothing happened past that. Even the current built in freeview tuners (DVB-T) will be obsolete when HD freeview (MPEG4) appears

24-03-2008, 14:02	#17
Sirius Forum Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Scotland Services: Virgin Phone XL, BB XL, Mobile, Sky HD, motorised sat Posts: 3,183 Blog Entries: 1	The sets of course could be made MPEG4 compatible using CAMs that transcode MPEG4 to MPEG2. A move to DVB-C2 on the other hand would present a problem. That said could Virgin Media afford to replace the 3.3m STBs they have when DVB-C2 finally gets approval? I doubt it. There's equally no indication they plan to move to MPEG4, and if they do it'd likely be HD services and not SD channels (SD being relevant for this set, HD I presume not although I'm sure someone will verify either way). If someone has a STB with RF loop through they might be able to answer us within the Virgin T&Cs.

24-03-2008, 19:41	#19
Sirius Forum Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Scotland Services: Virgin Phone XL, BB XL, Mobile, Sky HD, motorised sat Posts: 3,183 Blog Entries: 1	That sounds to me like analogue cable encrypted , not digital cable (DVB-C).

24-03-2008, 22:18	#20
Beavis99 Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Bromley, Kent, UK Services: nynex/C&W/ntl:/VirginMedia Phone, BB 20Mbit, Select TV Pack Posts: 786	A quick read of their manual from Sonys website shows it hasn't got a DVB-C tuner, only a combined analogue/DVB-T. So yes, it's the analogue bit that you're seeing. Still waiting on the OP to hook up his TV to the cable network and see what services are available. B

25-03-2008, 23:47	#24
spanglysteve Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Services: Sony KDL32-3000, V+, 3 for £30, XL TV, M phone, M BB Posts: 1,153	Good news guys, just bought the connector from the ebay page. I guess it'll be posted out to me tomorrow, so we should hopefully know by Thurs or Fri at the latest... will keep you posted (though may get bored at work tomorrow at lunchtime and try and find a maplins then and spend another whole 99p... ooh i feel wreckless!)