Can someone explain FTA to me or link me to an explanation? [Archive]

Fallen Angel

01-10-2009, 04:59 PM

Ok, I'll try to be concise...

Here is a link for autoroll:

http://www.tvkeyzforums.com/showthread.php?t=1836&highlight=autoroll

Here is a link for FTA Lingo:

http://www.tvkeyzforums.com/showthread.php?t=860&highlight=autoroll

And here is FTA:

Free to air is an expression used to describe both television and radio broadcasts that are not encrypted. This enables anyone with a satellite dish to pick up these programs without subscribing to a cable company. When first radio and then television began, virtually all programs on major networks were free to air and could be listened to or viewed by anyone in close enough range to broadcast antennas.

Today most networks, particularly in the US, are unavailable unless one has cable or satellite dish service, which is able to break encrypted codes. Even free to air programming may be difficult to obtain if it is broadcast via a satellite and one does not own a satellite dish. Very few programs or stations use older methods of broadcasting, thus the famous TV rabbit ear antennas have lost their function.

With radio, there are still many free to air broadcasts available without subscribing to a satellite radio service. In fact, most popular radio programs are still broadcast in a free to air format, though many argue listening to the radio is not exactly free. With the exception of public radio, one must endure constant interruptions from commercial breaks, making satellite radio a more pleasant option for some. Many would rather pay a fee that allows them access to uninterrupted programming, than to have to listen to commercials.

Most free to air television stations also take breaks for commercials, with the exception of stations like PBS. Even now, however, viewers may need to watch a commercial or notification of sponsorship prior to a program. As well, many loyal PBS fans resent the need to raise funds through pledge drives. Often PBS will show its most interesting or popular programs during such a drive, but will take long breaks to ask people to support the network.

Though free to air programming may be free to watch, it is not free for the broadcasting company. All broadcasting radio and television stations must pay licensing fees to legally broadcast. Some pirate radio and television stations exist, but the location of such broadcasting is usually discovered and shut down.

In countries other than the US, much of the television programming may be free to air, a thought that irks most Americans who pay steadily increasing cable fees. In Europe for example, the majority of programming is free to air, and satellite programming for radio is as well free to air. Major networks are primarily free to air, though Europeans may pay occasionally for pay per view events.

and here is the story on ECM's:

ECM's, EMM's and Receivers

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This is for those worried about their receivers everytime we take a hit...It is also a little knowledge for those who don't understand what's happening everytime "The TV goes down"...

A little light reading.....

ECM, EMM and Signals for both Plastic and FTA explained...

First of all, satellite signals do no harm to any equipment. It's physically impossible. Even receivers made by Dish and BEV cannot be destroyed with a signal. It just doesn't happen.

The software on Dish/BEV receivers is designed to do certain things when it receives data from the satellite: Send and deliver messages, process payments, order ppv movies....or....shut down when it is told to look for certain coding on the card. That's right-- even the card itself cannot be destroyed by the satellite signal.

Simple logic applies:

If A = B, then C. In this case, A= A certain offset in the bin file on the card, B= a ppv string, blocker, or anything else that a normal sub would not have, and C= loop the card or write a string of code on the firmware that causes it to not function.

FTA receivers do not have software designed to interact with the data stream in that way. They do not process Charlie's "If A=B then C" commands. FTA receiver software cannot be updated through the data stream. It only gets updated through the RS-232 port by your computer. That's why key changes, map calls, algorithm changes, and other things that cause FTA receivers to lose Dish/BEV channels are not ECMs.

Charlie can change the way the keys are processed. He can also change certain areas of the MAPROM to serve different functions. Keys change on a routine basis as well. The FTA software contains a card image that operates just like a smart card and it is designed to accept these changes. The firmware bin outside of the card image cannot be touched through the stream. When these changes occur, sometimes screens go dark and channels disappear. Many people call this an ECM but that is not technically true.

Since a True FTA receiver that doesn't use a third-party bin doesn't have a card image, there is nothing on the firmware that is designed to be altered through the data stream. As another pointed out, that makes as much sense as the radio station sending out a signal to change the station on your radio dial.

In order for Dish or BEV to truly ECM an FTA receiver, it would be necessary for them to have in their possession the source code for all 20-30 different FTA receiver brands. You and I don't have the source code, so you can bet Charlie doesn't either-- even if he has a room full of Viewsats and Sonicviews.

Next, after having the source code for every receiver, he would need to stream this code in the data stream. Satellites do not have unlimited bandwidth. He'd have to drop about 100 channels or so just to fit all of that firmware in the data stream-- on all 7 satellite locations.

Then, he would have to post a hacked bin on all of the sites and hope that people are dumb enough to load it to their receivers. Remember, Dish receivers interact with Charlie because they are programmed to. FTA receivers would have to be programmed to do so as well. Currently, they are not.

After all of the uninformed people out there loaded Charlie's bin to their receiver, then Charlie could indeed wreak all sorts of havok on them with his update from the stream. Of course, with 100 channels chopped off of the lineup not many people would still be watching anyway. Those who were smart enough not to fall for such a thing would be sitting here laughing at all of the idiots who fell for Charlie's trap.

So you see, as it stands now, Charlie...

1) does not have the source code necessary to cause FTA receivers not to function.

2) does not have the bandwidth on the satellites to accomodate all of the firmware that would be necessary to launch such an attack.

3) does not have the legions of idiots foolish enough to fall for such a trick that it would take to make such an ECM effective.

Hope this helps

FA