Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 11/08/85; site unccvax.unccvax.UUCP
Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!cbosgd!ihnp4!houxm!whuxl!whuxlm!akgua!mcnc!unccvax!dsi
From: dsi@unccvax.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.analog,net.video,net.ham-radio
Subject: Re: Satellite Scrambling Rumor
Message-ID: <429@unccvax.unccvax.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 22-Jan-86 10:06:31 EST
Article-I.D.: unccvax.429
Posted: Wed Jan 22 10:06:31 1986
Date-Received: Fri, 24-Jan-86 22:03:15 EST
References: <272@drutx.UUCP> <146@hydra.UUCP>
Distribution: net
Organization: UNC-Charlotte
Lines: 33
Xref: watmath net.analog:647 net.video:1933 net.ham-radio:3780

> 
> 	HBO is using a scrambling device developed by MAccom/Linkabit
> called the VideoCipher II.   It basicly denies unauthorized access to
> HBO satellite feeds by digitally scrambling the audio using a DES
> generated key stream, and makes watching the video more difficult by
> inverting it and removing all synchronizing pulses.

     'Tis true... Our VideoCipher II just came in yesterday, and I might
just add that it is a very sophisticated piece of equipment.

     First, the VideoCipher II is available in two models for "consumer"
use: one, which accepts raw (nondeephasized video) or composite video, and
the other, which allows looping through the 70 mHz IF signal from the
satellite receiver.  The version I had was the "looped through" version;
both the consumer/SMATV versions have an RF modulator for channel 3 or 4.
I believe that a wireless remote is available.

      However, the person who is selling me my AUTHORIZED FOR HBO VideoCipher
box (no flames) had it at home preauthorized, working fine, but when we
connected it to our antenna last night, it wouldn't work.  The help menu
wouldn't come up or *nuthin'*.  The VideoCipher box does depend on the
reception of a VideoCipher-encoded audio data stream before the functions
on the front panel would work; it may be that the Sat-Tec receiver we were
using was too "narrow" to recover the audio clock and data properly from
the synchronizing interval.

      That's where it was left, last night.  We are dropping back to punt,
and when I get the SA 6603 receiver on the dish (and verification that the
box is authorized) I'll post observations about the VideoCipher box to the
net.

David Anthony
DataSpan, Inc