Decrypting QAM

[nbarsley]

I'm interested in why there isnt any sort of tool/code that can decrypt QAM. It's possible to remove DRM from mp3 files; how different is an encrypted qam signal? Are people even trying to create such a tool? Or is there some impossible road-block.
Im just curious.

[sub]

I havnt heard even a peep about people experimenting with this, which I find surprising - particularly given how many projects there are for decrypting DVB.

It might be starting to happen now that QAM capable PC tuners are becoming more common. There's got to be a few people out there with an interest in this same topic, so maybe in the next year or two...

[NI2O]

I *think* its a 2 part thing. Not only is the data encrypted but you need a hardware tool to decrypt it. I think that there's something in the STB that is unique to each provider (the card maybe?).

I say this as I recently moved from one are to another and even though I had the new card my STB didn't work. I thought this was odd as it was the same provider (cablevision). Turns out that CV had bought out the previous provider and still used their headend gear.

If it truly is a 2 part system and if it truly is different for each provider we'll never be able to do it. Unlike DVB cable is a closed system in that you have to be on it to see it. This means that each provider *could* do whatever he likes to prevent unauthorised access. With DVB there is a potential few hundred million viewers and so the hacking potential is quite high.

Mark

[carpeVideo]

QAM is not a unique system as you mention the same signal is broadcast by a head end to thousands of users. (Although messages can be specifically for an individual STB) In the U.S. 99% of the time its Motorola Digicypher or Cisco(SAs) equivalent. Its an mpeg system that requires a key to decrypt that changes often. But its aged technology and certainly has been broken hardware wise. Some systems actually use two encryption methods simultaneously (lookup Sony's harmony system) since digicypher was proprietary and cable co's wanted to get STBs elsewhere. Similar systems are used with DVB (including cable DVB) and with satellite. Your issue is you changed to a different head end and need to have your cable card set for that system.

It is of course illegal to do this to steal the signal.

[carpeVideo]

QAM is not a unique system but I guess its two part but so is DVB, the same signal is broadcast by a head end to thousands of users. It can be decrypted by either hardware or software if the correct keys are present. Although messages can be specifically addressed for an individual STB.

In the U.S. 99% of the time its Motorola Digicypher or Cisco(SAs) equivalent. Its an mpeg system that requires a key to decrypt that changes often. But its aged technology and certainly has been broken hardware wise. Some systems actually use two encryption methods simultaneously (lookup Sony's harmony system) since digicypher was proprietary and cable co's wanted to get STBs elsewhere. Similar systems are used with DVB (including cable DVB) and with satellite. Your issue is you changed to a different head end and need to have your cable card set for that system.

It is of course illegal to do this to steal the signal.

[martint123]

It is of course illegal to do this to steal the signal.

Didn't they also make it illegal in some areas to even discuss methods to bypass encryption? The UK newsgroups & bbs's certainly went silent some years ago

[nbarsley]

Is it really illegal to decrypt the signal? The channels are provided as a service that you are paying for, and not being able to watch because of encyption. Are there really any laws regarding the issue?
It's like if you downloaded a DRM'ed song that doesnt allow you to listen to it.
The guy who cracked the itunes DRM wasn't arrested.

[bogyver]

The DMCA might have some sort of issues with it, but usually that can be gotten around if you claim to be doing it for educational reasons like research but usually you have actually be doing it for real for that to work. One could still do it in the dark and shady areas of the internet

[carpeVideo]

Is it really illegal to decrypt the signal? The channels are provided as a service that you are paying for, and not being able to watch because of encyption. Are there really any laws regarding the issue?
It's like if you downloaded a DRM'ed song that doesnt allow you to listen to it.
The guy who cracked the itunes DRM wasn't arrested.

Don't know about those technicalities - but you certainly can't legally decrypt those channels that you haven't paid for

[nbarsley]

Don't know about those technicalities - but you certainly can't legally decrypt those channels that you haven't paid for

Hah! I figured that much.