Cable Descramblers are NOT illegal........

[BostonRedSoxx]

Cable descramblers are NOT illegal to own. I don't know why that last thread was locked, but if you want to get into a legality issue, do your research first. It's actually smart to buy outright an after market cable box, instead of having the cable companies soak you for an additional $3-$5 a month. You are buying their service, and if you want to order a premium channel or pay-per-view, you need the box, so why are they charging you for it?? It's like cable modems. Why rent a cable modem from the cable company for $15/mo.? Go out and buy one for $100.00. It'll be paid for in what you'd be throwing a way in rental fees in a little over 6 months. Cable companies overcharge, and they're monopolies. The fact that they seem to be 'losing' money somehow blows my mind. Look at the crooks who own Adelphia, the 3rd biggest cable provider in the nation. They finally got busted, and it won't be long before the rest go down with them.

I just got a att broadband internet service. I'm pretty happy because it's quite fast.
I tried hooking up the cable to my tv and I was surprised to see that I actually get cable channels...just scrambled. I was thinking about getting a descrambler. Anyone knows which ones are good? I'm looking for any kind of advice. I checked out at ebay and found ones starting at 100 and up to 200. Can anyone give me a head up?

We do not condone illegal activities here on AnandTech.

AnandTech Moderator

He is looking to unscramble his scrambled channels,therefor he wants his cable channels without paying for it.
This constitutes theft of service,which is ILLEGAL

. I don't know why that last thread was locked, but if you want to get into a legality issue, do your research first.

Try reading and understanding before you open your mouth next time

AnandTech Moderator

 

[minendo]

He was not paying for the channels. Read the thread you mentioned.

 

[mpitts]

 

[BostonRedSoxx]

Originally posted by: minendo
He was not paying for the channels. Read the thread you mentioned.

I read it, thanks, and I was referring to the quote that said "cable descramblers are illegal", which they are not.

 

[vi edit]

Big, BIG difference between a cable descrambler and a cable modem.

With the cable modem you are paying a lease fee ($5-$7) a month ON TOP of your subscription fee. With a cable descrambler you forego the subcription fee an pirate the the services for free.

If you can't see the difference in these two...well then you need a logic descrambler.

 

[Danman]

Originally posted by: mpitts

 

[minendo]

Originally posted by: BostonRedSox

I read it, thanks, and I was referring to the quote that said "cable descramblers are illegal", which they are not.

Well then take it up with the member who said they are illegal. The mod said:

We do not condone illegal activities here on AnandTech.

AnandTech Moderator

 

[BostonRedSoxx]

I love they way everyone here is so crass and so quick to hurl insults instead of debating like adults. You're a hypocrite if you bash someone who has a descamble, and you are doing anything whatsoever that could be construed as 'illegal'. That includes motor vehicle violations, etc. You can have basic cable services and not use the cable box they provide and force you to rent from them. Not too many people are aware of that fact, that's the point I'm making. It is a crime to recieve services that are not being paid for, but it's NOT a crime to use an aftermarket box to receive the services you are paying for.

 

[Linflas]

The original post that was locked said that he had a cable modem installed then attached the cable to his TV and found he could receive channels including scrambled channels. That in and of itself could be considered theft of service if he leaves it hooked up without paying for basic cable unless his subscriber agreement allows for it. What the cable companies typically do in situations where you subscribe to data services but not TV services is install a trap to prevent you from receiving any video.

 

[bmacd]

Originally posted by: 772
I just got a att broadband internet service. I'm pretty happy because it's quite fast.
I tried hooking up the cable to my tv and I was surprised to see that I actually get cable channels...just scrambled. I was thinking about getting a descrambler. Anyone knows which ones are good? I'm looking for any kind of advice. I checked out at ebay and found ones starting at 100 and up to 200. Can anyone give me a head up?

THAT ^^ is illegal for what he is looking to do. He makes no reference to paying for the cable. Is it safe to assume he was going to steal cable? Yes.

-=bmacd=-

 

[BostonRedSoxx]

Most cable companies charge almost double the price for just data service. He'd be better off recieving basic cable service and date. He'd probably end up saving money every month.

 

[bmacd]

Originally posted by: BostonRedSox
Most cable companies charge almost double the price for just data service. He'd be better off recieving basic cable service and date. He'd probably end up saving money every month.

how would he save if he's illegally receiving cable? The only thing he'll receive is a fat burrito in his ass while behind bars.

-=bmacd=-

 

[vi edit]

Originally posted by: BostonRedSox
Most cable companies charge almost double the price for just data service. He'd be better off recieving basic cable service and date. He'd probably end up saving money every month.

All I've seen is $5-$10 a month savings. Instead of paying $55 a month for just cable internet access, you pay $45 a month if you subscribe to cable TV as well. This is with AT&T, Media Com, ATTBI, MCHSI, ect.

 

[guyver01]

Originally posted by: BostonRedSox
Cable descramblers are NOT illegal to own.

that is true if all you do is keep it sealed in the box and never use it...

Using Cable Descramblers without paying for service is.... THEFT of service, and is very illegal.

Also, take it from someone who works in the industry.... Cable Descramblers cause massive problems onsystem... they throw tons of noise and interference into the returns path, usually causing problems for everyone within a 20 block radius of the box.

That, as well, is also considered a violation of Service use agreements... usually the people with the black boxes are those who pay for basic service, and want to steal everything else.

It may work for a bit... but you WILL get caught.. if the provider has at least one competent tech.

 

[Linflas]

Originally posted by: vi_edit

Originally posted by: BostonRedSox
Most cable companies charge almost double the price for just data service. He'd be better off recieving basic cable service and date. He'd probably end up saving money every month.

All I've seen is $5-$10 a month savings. Instead of paying $55 a month for just cable internet access, you pay $45 a month if you subscribe to cable TV as well. This is with AT&T, Media Com, ATTBI, MCHSI, ect.

IIRC I paid about $10.00 more a month when I did not have basic TV cable with Comcast. No where near double the price.

 

[BostonRedSoxx]

Originally posted by: guyver01

Originally posted by: BostonRedSox
Cable descramblers are NOT illegal to own.

that is true if all you do is keep it sealed in the box and never use it...

Using Cable Descramblers without paying for service is.... THEFT of service, and is very illegal.

Also, take it from someone who works in the industry.... Cable Descramblers cause massive problems onsystem... they throw tons of noise and interference into the returns path, usually causing problems for everyone within a 20 block radius of the box.

That, as well, is also considered a violation of Service use agreements... usually the people with the black boxes are those who pay for basic service, and want to steal everything else.

It may work for a bit... but you WILL get caught.. if the provider has at least one competent tech.

I would think the only way you can get caught is if you let a tech into your house, and he sees the pay channels being rec'd. Like I said earlier, it's not illegal to use an aftermarket box that doesn't have descrambling cababilities. You can buy them at Radio Shack. Only a fool would own a descramber, actively use it, then have a tech come inside your home for whatever reason, without unhooking the box first. You don't have to let a cable company employee into your home without your prior knowledege that they will be showing up.

 

[ElFenix]

my cable company charges the same $45 whether i have the modem or not.

 

[bmacd]

with you promoting cable theft, i don't forsee you being a member here on AT much longer.

-=bmacd=-

 

[guyver01]

Originally posted by: BostonRedSox
I would think the only way you can get caught is if you let a tech into your house, and he sees the pay channels being rec'd.

nope... like i said.... illegal boxes aren't attenuated to the proper frequencies, and emit ALOT of noise into the returns path. it is very easy to detect illegal boxes.

please note that aftermarket boxes, and illegal boxes are NOT the same thing. Aftermarket boxes are cable boxes bought from a 3rd party supplier, and comply with cable policies.

illegal boxes are manufacturered to STEAL and descramble channels you are NOT paying for.

 

BostonRedSox, how old are you? And would ti be ox for me to steal a government tank...after all, I paid for it!

 

[BostonRedSoxx]

Originally posted by: OmegaNauce
BostonRedSox, how old are you? And would ti be ox for me to steal a government tank...after all, I paid for it!

Why is my age and ox's being brought into the thread?

 

Originally posted by: BostonRedSox

Originally posted by: OmegaNauce
BostonRedSox, how old are you? And would ti be ox for me to steal a government tank...after all, I paid for it!

Why is my age and ox's being brought into the thread?

Because those that usually think thats its ok to steal or they think they know everything are the younger ones. And what about me taking a tank? I paid for it.

 

[Fausto]

The force is not strong with this one....

 

[Kev]

Originally posted by: OmegaNauce

Originally posted by: BostonRedSox

Originally posted by: OmegaNauce
BostonRedSox, how old are you? And would ti be ox for me to steal a government tank...after all, I paid for it!

Why is my age and ox's being brought into the thread?

Because those that usually think thats its ok to steal or they think they know everything are the younger ones. And what about me taking a tank? I paid for it.

You have a point there. I'm going to go steal a tank.

 

[Pacfanweb]

Why rent a cable modem from the cable company for $15/mo.? Go out and buy one for $100.00.

Who charges that much for modems? I pay 3 bucks a month for my modem from Roadrunner. It would take nearly 3 years of rental fees to justify buying one, and 3 years after I buy one, if it breaks, I don't get a new one free.
Unless the ones you can buy are faster, which they aren't, it isn't worth it. Unless, I suppose, there are ISP's that actually make you pay big $$ for modem rental.

It would be stupid for me to buy a cable modem.