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- HackersCatalog.com
Technical notes section is an online guide to
help in answering some general questions, at
no time will we answer questions on how to
use our products or information for illegal
purposes. All information sold on
HackersCatalog.com is for educational
purposes only.
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- Technical
Notes:
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- WHAT
VIDEOCIPHER UNIT DO I HAVE?
-
-
- Here you'll
find out how to determine which series
VideoCipher II you have, and some other
interesting facts about the VideoCipher II
Descrambler.
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- SERIES
-
-
- To tell
which series of VideoCipher you have look on
the back of the module of the descrambler.
The module as installed in an Integrated
Receiver Descrambler (IRD), is typically held
in place by a small metal panel on the back
of the IRD.
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- Remove the
two screws if necessary, but do not remove or
attempt to pull out the descrambler module
itself. If you did, the descrambler module
will be instantly destroyed. Look at the back
of the module. You should see a small paper
or plastic label. This label may or may nor
have a colored stripe through it. Noting the
numbers on the label, disregard the first
letter. The next three (3) number are the
series of the module. If you purchased the
descrambler or IRD within the last 3 years or
so, chances are real good that it is a plus
or RS series. If anywhere on the box it says:
"RS" or VC2+ or Plus, it's a plus
series.
-
- EXAMPLE:
-
- A032 - this
is a 032 series VideoCipher
- A010 - this
is a early 010 series VideoCipher
- A029 - this
is a VC2+ or Plus series VideoCipher also
known as a "PLUS" or RS (Renewable
Security).
- A040 - this
is a VC2+ or Plus series VideoCipher also
known as a "PLUS" or RS (Renewable
Security).
- A090 - this
is a VC2+ or Plus series VideoCipher also
known as a "PLUS" or RS (Renewable
Security).
- A0A0 - this
is a VC2+ or Plus series VideoCipher also
known as a "PLUS" or RS (Renewable
Security).
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- WHICH MODELS
CAN I EXPERIMENT WITH?
-
- ALL series
except the 029 or plus or RS series have been
"broken". There is no "Fix" for the 029,
Plus, "+" or RS series.
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-
- IS THERE A
FIX FOR THE PLUS SERIES?
-
- NO. ALL
series except the 029 or plus or RS series
have been "broken". There is no "Fix" for the
029, Plus, "+" or RS series.
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- THERE IS NO
KEYPAD ON MY DESCRAMBLER. HOW DO I "PUNCH IN
NUMBERS"?
-
- Purchase a
Stand alone "cage" or chassis from a 2000 or
2100E (early) series. $25.00 to $75.00,
typical. Insert VC2 module in back and hook
up to descrambler via "video out/in" or
"baseband" connections.
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- WHERE CAN
IPURCHASE ONE OF THESE "CAGES" OR "SHELLS"
(same thing)?
-
- IMPAKT
PRODUCTS
- 1-800-864-4046
- 1-614-864-9842
- "Cage"
or "Shells" $15.00 and
up...
- VC2+
Modules $175.00
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- NOTE: IMPAKT
does not do anything but sell parts - don't
even ask...
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-
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- WHAT ABOUT
EXPERIMENTER FILES FOR THE NON-PLUS
SERIES?
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- A disk of
experimenters files including a 102 bank
WIZARD program is available for $9.95 PPD
USA. WIZARD codes are NOT available from
Extreme Media. Works on ALL series of VC2,
except plus series or 029, 040, etc, i.e,
works with 010, 018, 019, and 032
only.
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- DO YOU SELL
A CHIP TO ENABLE TESTNG FOR THE 010 THROUGH
032 SERIES?
-
- Yes. The
SUPERCHIP will turn on all video channels.
You will not receive audio unless current
WIZARD (Code) are inserted via keypad.
Extreme Media does NOT give out, have access
to, or otherwise supply in any fashion, any
WIZARD numbers (Test codes). This chip DOES
NOT WORK ON 029 or NEWER MODELS!
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-
- I READ OF A
"FIX" BEING OFFERED FOR THE 029 SERIES. WHAT
IS THIS?
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- It's a scam.
There are NO fixes for the Plus series. Save
your money on the ads that say they can tell
you how-to-get an 029 "fixed", or get "free"
codes. There ain't no fixes.
(029)
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- There is a
DIAGNOSTICS CHIP offered by TRIANGLE
PRODUCTS:
-
-
- Triangle
Products
- 5750
Lakeshore Dr
- Holland
MI 49424
-
- 9am-2pm
E.S.T.(Voice)
- 24
hr FAX 616-399-6390
- e-mail
tiangle@wic.net
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-
- The chip
will allow the technician to peruse the PPV
values and other information in 029 series.
Contact TRIANGLE PRODUCTS
directly.
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- CAN I SWAP
MY 029 MODULE FOR AN EARLIER
MODULE?
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- Yes. Here's
how. First, and this is extremely important!
Unplug the power from the IRD (Satellite
Receiver). Wait a few minutes, remove the
screws on the back holding the module in
place. Pull out module using the two tabs at
the bottom, rear of the module, don't use any
tools, such as a screwdriver to pry, replace
with another module series. Replace screws
and plate. Plug power cord back in the
wall.
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- If you have
not previously removed the power plug from
the wall, you may have to toss the removed
module in to the trash. You may have just
fried it. There is power going to the
descrambler module at all times when the
power cord is plugged in. Doesn't matter
whether the IRD is on or off. Power cord in
wall means power in the VC2 module. I can't
stress this enough! Most damaged VC2's are
killed this way...
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- ALL I REALLY
WANT IS VIDEO ONLY. SHOULD I BUY AND OLDER
VC2 MODULE AND CHIP IT OR WHAT?
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- If all you
want is video-only preview for test purposes
or to sync up an unstable signal, consider
using a sync generator. A sync generator
replaces the missing sync signals so that the
picture can be previewed. SUPERCHIP will do
this in older series VC2s, but may or may not
sync up VC2+ or RS signals. If you don't have
an earlier series module, (anything but VC2+
or RS), consider building or buying a
finished sync generator.
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- Plans for
several sync generator can be found in out
publication titled: Black Box Bible or, you
can purchase a finished Sync-A-Link sync
generator for $160.00 from:
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- Sync-A-Link
Communications
- PO
Box 4
- Locust
Grove, OK 74352
- 1-918-479-6451
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- I SWAPPED
THE OLDER SERIES WITH A 029 MODULE AND I'M
GOING LEGIT. HOW DO I GET THIS THING
AUTHORIZED?
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- Check with a
local satellite dealer. Tell him you have a
VideoCipher system and want to know much
programming sells for. He will ask what you
like to watch. Tell him. Programming is
typically sold as a "package deal". The
package may have from a dozen to several
dozen channels. Programs are also sold "ala
carte".
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- Prices vary.
The package price may be "negotiable".
Satellite dealers get what amounts to a
"finders fee" or "kickback" for brokering
Programming. The is how the system works.
Once you have a price, compare to what the
DSS and like systems are charging for the
same programming. Prices are somewhat
competitive. You may find that the DSS or
similar is a better value for you. Compare
before you buy anything.
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- I DON'T SEE
A PAPER LABEL. I UNPLUGGED THE CORD, REMOVED
THE MODULE AND OPENED THE CASE HALVES. THE
SECURITY SEAL WAS ALREADY BROKEN. WHATS GOING
ON?
-
- The module
has most likely been exchanged / hacked /
tampered / modified / altered / hot-wired /
etc. with another. Most probably, exchanged
with anything but an 029. Determining which
model it is can be a bit difficult. Look at
the circuit board. Is it full size? That is,
does it have parts on the board from one side
to the other, or is the module only about
half or 3/4 full?
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- If it's full
of parts (full size), and doesn't have any
epoxy covering about 1/3 of the board, it's
probably a 010 series. One of the first. If
it has epoxy on it, and is a full size board,
its probably a 018-019 or 032. They are
essentially the same except for programming.
If the board is less than full-size
(half-size or 3/4), then its probably an 032.
There may or may not be a modem
installed.
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- A
MODEM?
-
- Yes. A
modem. Starting with certain models 032 and
later, modem modules ware added to
VideoCiphers to enable IPPV, or Impulse
Pay-Per-Viewing. Pirates also added modem
modules to allow the VideoCipher to
communicate with BBSs to download,
automatically, audio codes whenever the board
would not automatically determine and output
audio.
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- HOW MUCH
DOES ONE OF THESE PIRATE MODEMS
COST?
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- About the
same as a years worth of programming from a
legitimate satellite programmer.
-
- ARE PIRATE
MODEMS STILL FOR SALE?
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- We haven't
seen them for quite some time. The problem
here is the modem is no good without the
WIZARD NUMBERS. And the source for the
numbers is all but dried up. On the IRC
(Internet Relay Chat) channel, #satellite,
there are, reportedly, WIZARD numbers posted
daily. We DO NOT have access to this
information.
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- BUT I'll GET
ALL CHANNELS FOR FREE, RIGHT?
-
- Ain't no
free lunch. You either pay the programmers or
pay the Pirates. The programmers package will
give good audio all the time, the Pirates
audio will go on and off depending on ECM
(Electronic Counter Measures), etc. Also
please note that getting programming for
"free" this way is illegal.
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- I USE TO GET
ALL CHANNELS FOR FREE, BUT NOT NOW. WHATS
GOING ON?
-
- Times have
changed and so has the VideoCipher. No longer
can you put in a chip to steal programming.
The 029 series, due mostly to the use of a
secure microprocessor, has rendered VC2
piracy almost non-existent. When the price of
Pirate Modems and Programming began to exceed
that of legitimate programming, well... it
doesn't take a genius to figure it
out.
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- All models
of the VC2 can be "tested" with the exception
of the VC2+ or 029 series. If you want
programming, your going to have to pay for
it. Either to a Pirate or to legitimate
programmers. The legit programmers have
lowered prices to under $20.00 per month for
some competitive systems (Echostar). That's
cheaper than what the Pirates were charging,
and it works all the time!
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- HOW DID
PIRATES STEAL PROGRAMMING?
-
- To get the
WIZARD numbers or intermediate codes, you
FIRST, need a working, authorized VideoCipher
II. At one time, there were literally tens of
thousands, at cable headends, however, now
there are only a few, if any, at cable
headends. The monthly audio code information
was extracted from the RAM chip U20 and run
through a program called GOTCHAGI or
DESCALC.
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- This two
programs originated in the VideoCipher itself
as the routine to decode the audio in
processor U7. Pirates ran the finished audio
codes through "backwards" to get an
intermediate code for each audio channel.
This intermediate code or WIZARD numbers is
then mixed with scrambled audio in U24, to
output a "clear audio bitstream" to dual
D-A-C converters. It was from the VC2s (all
except 029) that the WIZARD numbers were
extracted.
-
- Most, if not
all, cable headends have switched to VC2+
datastream. We have sufficient info and
software in the VC2 books we sell to enable
someone to extract numbers, but, you would
still need a working box receiving non-029
datastream data to start with and this is
non-existent.
-
- VC2 cannot
be "hard wired". They MUST have audio codes
specific for each different audio channel.
This audio code is mixed with the boxes
electronic serial number, and housekeeping
info sent to all VC2 each month to authorize
the box. NO audio codes - no sound. And the
audio codes are only being sent to VC2+
series which use a different datastream than
the other VC2s. GI IS NOT AUTHORIZING VC2
EXCEPT FOR 029 SINCE ABOUT TWO OR THREE YEARS
AGO.
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- WHAT THEN
ARE EARLY MODULES GOOD FOR?
-
- Video-only
chips can be installed, making the box a sort
of "all channel browser" for determining if
you want to buy the programming or not. If
your deaf (Huh?), video-only is OK. Some
Porno ( er, uh, Art) channels may be able to
be pre-viewed sans audio. Older modules with
a SUPERCHIP may or may not get VC2+ or RS
channels sync'ed up. Sometimes channels are
"in the clear" (no authorizations
required).
-
- DOES GENERAL
INSTRUMENTS STILL AUTHORIZE MODULES OTHER
THAN PLUS or RS?
-
- NO. Only 029
or RS series modules are being authorized. If
you use an earlier module, you'll have to
enable it some other way.
-
- WILL SERIES
MODULES OTHER THAN 029 PICKUP THE 029
DATASTREAM?
-
- NO. The
datastream that services the 029 series has
its housekeeping and data information hidden
within the Vertical Blanking Interval (VBI).
In all the other series, this same
information is located in the place of the
Horizontal sync signal. The two are not
compatible. Why somebody hasn't offered a
hack to convert older VC2s to the newer
datastreams is beyond us. Maybe it's because
of DSS's popularity or the lack of interest
in VC2 technology.VC2+ technology is no
longer being sold to developers. DigiCipher
is the way GI is going now. DigiCipher is
similar to DSS in that it's all
digital.
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