From: lasner@watsun.cc.columbia.edu (Charles Lasner)
Newsgroups: alt.folklore.urban
Subject: Re: 666 Cable TV
Date: 4 Oct 92 09:17:51 GMT
Reply-To: lasner@watsun.cc.columbia.edu (Charles Lasner)
Distribution: alt
Organization: Columbia University

In article <1992Oct2.024207.11672@engage.pko.dec.com> moroney@ramblr.enet.dec.com writes:
>
>b) This has to do with the 'magic bullet' that took out many illicit
>cable converter boxes in NYC (I think)  As I understand it a large number of
>these boxes were clones of a legit box that was subscribed to full service.
>The 'bullet' was simply a command to the legit box to shut down.  Of course
>all the clones obeyed as well.  Now the media made it look like that there
>was some sort of signal that 'blew out' or 'fried' all illicit boxes somehow,
>probably with the cable company not exactly wanting to correct matters...

I believe this is a UL in and of itself about what American Cablevision of 
Queens (ACQ) did here in NYC.

My understanding of what actually happened is quite different:

ACQ accidentally unleashes transients on various cable feeds.  Does anyone
know what happens if a cable feeder is disconnected at the head end to the
collection of N subscribers down the line?

Apparently said transient is sufficient to zap 27xx family EPROMS that are
in some boxes.  The company generally uses masked versions for most subscribers
that use the usual configurations, but some people have "modified" boxes that
are using UV-cleared and blasted EPROMs not PROMs.  Some of these are factory
authorized; a few are not.

The company is willing to fix all who complain gratis if legitimate users, and
most who call are disgruntled legit users with either low-production 
combinations of options whose chips died who get replacements or actually
older models with EPROMs in them as part of the original installation because
by now the company is using a second-generation of convertor box which is
sealed somewhat against "prying eye" although really the same guts, but is
generally PROM-controlled.  So while the former get new chips, the latter get
new-generation boxes.  Perhaps a trade for no installation fees prompts some
upgrade business at the same time for some customers, but in any case the
company uses a bungled maintenance issue to be the basis for generating a
little income while it also tries to appease angry legitimate customers with
a valid gripe.  A lot of older design boxes get scrapped in the process.

The company also reels in some unsuspecting bootleggers with altered units 
which are modified to contain EPROMs allowing channel access they weren't
entitled to because the company actually checks what these people are
supposed to have, and cleverly ask the contact person in the house what
channels are supposed to work on a ruse of restoring service to whatever
the customer claims it is, rather than what customer records indicate is
the required customization (if any).  Then company employees use threats to
these unsuspecting people and obtain (possibly illegaly) admissions of
guilt that their boxes were unauthorized, etc. and they get lotsa media
coverage about "cable thieves", etc.

Look a little closer at your typical Queens customer.  I saw a few years back
a media-covered "cable bust" on local TV news that was orchestrated like a
drug bust.  This was because they found an MDS antenna on a home less than
2 miles from my house in Queens.  The unsuspecting housewife is scared out
of her wits by these stormtroopers attacking her house, etc.

The point is that when the cable man arrives, he is let into the premises
by a housefrau with kids who only knows that somehow her husband was able
to get "somehow" all the premium services she and the kids like to watch, and
that they do pay for cable (billed for whatever; she hasn't a clue what's
paid for and what's not; that's her husbands department).  Although, when
the clever cable man has set her up for a "confession" they start using
strong-arm tactics on her, etc., so she gets guilty feelings, etc., instead
of telling them to get lost.  (There can be no proof of what the box was
used for, since at this point the ROM is blown out, but they manipulate the
poor woman into admitting guilt of her entire family, etc.)

Sources of these boxes range from stolen goods to sleazy installers who
offer them for bribes to rings of renegade electronic technicians with 
PROM blasters and 27xx chips with master copies of what an unrestricted unit
looks like.  Also, there are possible mail-order businesses that sell all or
parts of these boxes who keep track of which systems around the country use
what flavor box etc. that the head of household read about in various
magazines and bought one off of.

When the husband gets home from work, he finds his wife in tears and threats
of major legal action against him ultimately based only on statements made
by his hysterical wife under duress, etc.  They would possibly have as much 
luck with him, but not likely.  He probably knows to keep his mouth shut, 
and only say "fix it" and not volunteer just what that means.

Pardon any stereotyping, but I live in the affected area and don't have
cable.  My primary usage of TV is to watch free TV which is broadcast from
4 miles away line-of-sight.  I have no obstructions, and my antenna is the
most simple pair of rabbit ears you can imagine, or even just an FM tuner-type
folded dipole made out of twinlead.  I also rent VHS movies, and find that
HBO is a worthless service because they offer an inferior more expensive form
of the same thing with restrictions: I have to watch what I want when they
want me to, not when I want me to.  For the few "HBOnly" productions, I'll
wait the 9-15 months 'til they're rentable down the block from me, etc.

In any case I know the affected area quite well, and ACQ got excessive
mileage out of what actually happened.  Cable companies love these media
"enhanced" stories.

cjl (No, I don't sell cable boxes or ROMs or whatever)