HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: smith@acpy01.att.com (Bob Smith (CXNIXPT1))
Subject: Re: What's this ""bullet"" thing?
Organization: AT&T IMS - Piscataway, NJ (USA)
Date: Fri, 21 Aug 1992 12:43:25 GMT

In article <1992Aug20.043358.16999@usenet.ins.cwru.edu> aj008@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Aaron M. Barnes) writes:
>
>Will the FM trap work with Zenith PM-1 systems?
>
>This is for educational purposes only,of course!

Always good to learn new things! ;-)

>-- 
>Aaron Barnes

According to the Radio Electronics April 1992 article, some systems send
an identification signal near 108 MHz on the FM band. Some of this signal
can splash onto other frequencies. The signal sounds like a "cuckoo" and
leaks from unauthorized converters. It can be used to nab suspects by
checking for these leaking signals outside their home with handheld receivers.

To test if your system can stop the "splash" from the 108 MHz signal,
connect your FM radio to your cable and check for any interference on the band.
The article stresses the 106.5 MHz frequency (Jerrold systems), but any
interference would most likely be in the upper range. You could also check
for noise around channels 59 and 60 on your converter.

My cable company uses Scientific Atlanta converters. I hear a signal at
108 MHz, but cannot detect and splash on the band. I don't know if the filter
would stop the authorization signal for my system.

Hope this helps.

RCS
From: jerry@ginger.hnrc.tufts.edu (Jerry Dallal)
Newsgroups: rec.video.cable-tv
Subject: Re: Cable-compatible line amps?
Date: 15 Aug 92 04:28:40 GMT
Followup-To: rec.video.cable-tv
Distribution: na
Organization: USDA HNRC at Tufts University

In article <sbarnhar-140892151615@morril6t-4.micro.umn.edu>, sbarnhar@mailbox.mail.umn.edu (Dr. Barnhart) writes:
> Could I  just get one those Radio Shaft amps or get one somewhere else?  Do
> the R-S amps (or any others) have any kind of isolation so I'm not  getting
> signal reflection across my in-house cable network? Is that even important?
> Do the R-S amps cover a broad enough bandwidth?

I'm using a RS adjustable amplifier (15-1113 $22.95) and am happy.  If it isn't
good enough (another poster reported that with a very weak inputs his RS
amplifier--model unspecified--amplified the noise with the signal) you can
always bring it back.

P.S. All RS are not created equal.  The 15-1113 was much better (for me) than
the $12.95 model 15-1118.  The 15-1113 claims a bandwidth of 50-890 MHz.
From: phil@phunt.MV.COM (Phil Hunt)
Newsgroups: rec.video.cable-tv
Subject: Re: A bit of "Good" news
Date: Thu, 13 Aug 92 11:00:38 EST
Organization: Howtek, Inc.
Reply-To: phil@phunt.MV.COM
X-Mailer: uAccess - Macintosh Release: 1.5v4


In article <1992Aug9.201d9@f8.n154.z1.fidonet.org> (rec.video.cable-tv), jack@myamiga.mixcom.com (Jack Decker) writes:
] In article <2921867338@ARTEMIS.cam.nist.gov> dated 3 Aug 92 21:48:58 GMT,
] miller@FS1.cam.nist.gov (Bruce R. Miller) wrote:
] 
]  > So, if we can just get the stereo fixed, and trade in 3 `christian'
]  > stations for 2 good ones, we wont be too bad off.
]  > It seems there's hope.
] 
] Those "Christian" stations are there because some folks want to see them.  We'd
] all like to have a cable system carry only our favorite channels, but you have
] to remember that you aren't the only subscriber on the system, and that some
] folks may have different preferences than you do.
] 
This is why I have a satellite dish.   I watch and pay for what I want.  It
is like having a choice of 300+ channels and I can customize my 'cable' for
my favorite channels!

Phil

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Phil Hunt                                                  (603)882-5200
Howtek, Inc.		                   "Wherever you go, there you are!"

Internet: phil@phunt.MV.COM         uucp: {decvax|harvard}!mv!phunt!phil
From: miked@syscon.rn.com (Mike DeMetz)
Newsgroups: rec.video.cable-tv
Subject: Re: What's this ""bullet"" thing?
Date: 20 Aug 92 18:05:41 GMT
Organization: Syscon Corporate Headquarters - South Bend, IN USA

sammy@anagld.analytics.com (Sam Blackburn) writes:

>gerace@ucsu.Colorado.EDU (Jerry Gerace) writes:

>>The "bullet" is sent at the same frequency as the authorization streams
>>which are apparently in the FM range (87-108MHz)...so the article recommended
>>using a trap to block whatever frequency it was (104 maybe???)...

>>You also block any genuine authorization signals, but if you're using your
>>own box, then so what.
The frequency is 106.5 Mhz according to the arcticle on how to build a
notch filter trap to take it out.
From: nyarko@ee.ualberta.ca (David Nyarko)
Newsgroups: rec.video.cable-tv
Subject: Re: question about my cable-ready TV
Date: 14 Aug 92 16:39:55 GMT
Organization: University Of Alberta, Edmonton Canada

fhuang@eng.umd.edu (Feng Huang) writes:

>hi, everybody out there;

>I have a question about my TV and cable stuff.

>I have a JVC cable ready TV. I tried to connect the cable wire to my TV to test

>if this is really a cable-ready one. I had a strange discover. The program was 

>totally different from that on the cable guide. I mean the channel number is

>totally disorder and some channels not carried by local cable company appeared

>on my TV. At first, I thought that I might misuse a outdoor antenna input, then

>I found some typical cable channel such as comedy central and cable prevue guide.
>I don't know much about TV and cable, could someone give me some clue about

>all this. Is their anything wrong with my TV.

>Thanks


>Feng.

There are 2 main types of TV and VCR channel selection procedures.

a) Some Sony Tv sets use this mode. And from the description
of your problem, your JVC set might be using a similar mode.
In this case, the TV has say 80 channels (think of them as
slots.) and you can assign any of the channels your TV is
capable of receiving to any of these slots. For example you
can assign cable channel 4 to slot 1, and channel 8 to slot 2.
thus when you select channel 1 on your TV, it is actually
cable channel 4 which appears. Most TVs with this feature
also allow you an automatic programming mode (check your
TV manual) in which it scans all channels from the lowest
to the highest and allocates them sequentially to the slots.
Remember to set the TV to receive cable (catv) broadcasts,
using either STD,IRC or HRC depending on the mode of catv
broadcasts used by your cable company.
b) In this case the channel number selected by your tv
actually corresponds to the channel being received similar
to the rotary knob type tuner.

I hope this solves your problem.

				David
From: sammy@anagld.analytics.com (Sam Blackburn)
Newsgroups: rec.video.cable-tv
Subject: Re: What's this ""bullet"" thing?
Date: 18 Aug 92 19:30:31 GMT
Organization: Computer Sciences Corporation - Systems Engineering Division

Radio Electronics magazine published an article on the magic bullet.  I can't
remember the date of the issue.  Seems like it was in 1991 though.
From: sbarnhar@mailbox.mail.umn.edu (Dr. Barnhart)
Newsgroups: rec.video.cable-tv
Subject: Re: What's this ""bullet"" thing?
Date: 20 Aug 92 13:54:10 GMT
Followup-To: rec.video.cable-tv
Distribution: na
Organization: U of Mn Propoganda Ministry

In article <1992Aug19.133312.3566@devildog.att.com>, smith@acpy01.att.com
(Bob Smith (CXNIXPT1)) wrote:


> 
> * On the Sunday evening of a free preview weekend, pull the input cable from
>   your box. Connect it again the next evening. You should still be getting
>   the premium station for free. I once got the Movie Channel for 1 1/2 months
>   before it was turned off. Try it with the Disney Channel's preview next week -

Parasite Cable in Minneapolis doesn't globally authorize cable boxes to
recieve movie channels.  They just descramble the channels so anybody can
watch during the "free" period.  I don't have a box and can watch preview
weekends with no problem on my cable-ready teevees.

Shawn Barnhart ! sbarnhar@mailbox.mail.umn.edu
I'm not sellin' out, I'm buyin' in.
Newsgroups: rec.video.cable-tv
From: kucharsk@solbourne.com (William Kucharski)
Subject: Re: DMX ripoff....
Summary: DMX pricing from TCI - Boulder, again
Organization: Solbourne Computer, Inc., Longmont, CO
Distribution: usa
Date: Mon, 17 Aug 1992 21:51:18 GMT

While reading article <1992Aug17.190504.3823@cs.wisc.edu>, I noticed that
feiges@jomby.cs.wisc.edu (Howard Feiges) said the following:
 >really cool  -  everyonce in a while - I hear a "knock" come out of my 
 >stereo when DMX is palaying - what is this.... is this a flaw in DMX or is
 >it my reciever........   anyone else get this???

It may be TCI-Madison.  If there's an interruption in service for some reason,
the box will mute out and come back, so this may be the "knock" you hear.

 >what distrubs me is that I read that the charge for DMX is $5 a month in
 >a few of the previous articles.....  TCI here in madison charges like $12 -
 >and then an additional $4 for the remote......

The prices you quote sound about right.  Once again, here's what TCI charges
in Boulder, CO:

	DMX service:	$5/month
	DMX decoder:	$5/month
	DMX DJ remote:	$4/month

So, if you're renting the box you'd actually be paying $14/month (+ tax) in
Boulder...

 >so, anyways, now I am interested in purchasing a DMX converter myself and
 >not giving those bastards at TCI another cent........  if the DMX box 
 >WITH the good remote  costs less than $100 - I might be interested in
 >buying it..... does anyone know where I can get this????   What can I do 
 >about the charges being more here than elsewhere (probably noithing I bet)

DMX boxes can be purchased for a one time $100 fee directly from TCI, and the
DMX DJ remote is another $40 or so.  The box is made by Scientific Atlanta, so
you may be able to find one from one of the places in the back of magazines
that sells various models of cable converter boxes.

However, remember that you'll still be paying $5/month for DMX service, whether
you have your own box or not...
-- 
| William Kucharski, Solbourne Computer, Inc.     | Opinions expressed above
| Internet: kucharsk@solbourne.com   Ham: N0OKQ   | are MINE alone, not those
| Snail Mail: 1900 Pike Road, Longmont, CO  80501 | of Solbourne Computer, Inc.
| President, "Just the Ten of Us" Fan Club        | "Dittos from Longmont, CO"
From: sammy@anagld.analytics.com (Sam Blackburn)
Newsgroups: rec.video.cable-tv
Subject: Re: What's this ""bullet"" thing?
Date: 20 Aug 92 03:33:54 GMT
Organization: Computer Sciences Corporation - Systems Engineering Division

smith@acpy01.att.com (Bob Smith (CXNIXPT1)) writes:

>Radio Electronics - January 1992 explained the magic bullet.

Hey! I was close!

>* On the Sunday evening of a free preview weekend, pull the input cable from
>  your box. Connect it again the next evening. You should still be getting
>  the premium station for free. I once got the Movie Channel for 1 1/2 months
>  before it was turned off. Try it with the Disney Channel's preview next week

That explains how I got Showtime for free.  I wondered why that happened.
From: sammy@anagld.analytics.com (Sam Blackburn)
Newsgroups: rec.video.cable-tv
Subject: Re: What's this ""bullet"" thing?
Date: 21 Aug 92 01:09:35 GMT
Organization: Computer Sciences Corporation - Systems Engineering Division

tbd@neuro.duke.edu (Tristan Davies) writes:


>I don't use a cable box; my cable comes out of the wall and goes 
>straight into the VCR.  Does that mean the cable co. has a
>descrambler box somewhere else that they can set? That's
>what I've always figured, but I'm not sure.

Probably for you're building/floor if you're renting or for your block/
street if you own a house.  It's the only thing I can guess, I ordered the
Olympic triplecast (would nat have had I known Bryant Gumble WASN'T doing the
Olympics this time) and they came out and did something outside my house to
get the signals inside...
Newsgroups: rec.video.cable-tv
From: aj008@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Aaron M. Barnes)
Subject: Re: What's this ""bullet"" thing?
Organization: Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, (USA)
Date: Sat, 22 Aug 92 00:52:40 GMT


Yes, I have heard that noise before.
On my cable system,it is on 107.5,and splashes on neighborinf fre
quencies.
I always wondered what that was there for.
Like I said,My system uses Zenith PM-1 descramblers.

-- 
Aaron Barnes
aj008@cleveland.freenet.edu
Part 15 will take over broadcasting one frequency at a time!
Howard Phillips for President!
Newsgroups: rec.video.cable-tv
From: dattier@ddsw1.mcs.com (David W. Tamkin)
Subject: Re: Any problems with VCR Plus ?
Organization: Contributor Account at ddsw1, Chicago, Illinois  60657
Distribution: na
Date: Thu, 13 Aug 1992 16:02:15 GMT
X-Disclaimer:  Material posted in this article is the sole responsibility of
                the poster and does not represent MCSNet or the system owners.

Monty Solomon <roscom!monty@think.com> wrote in
<1992Aug12.065827.1472@proponent.com>:

| According to Gemstar, the VCR+ is designed to run from start-0:01 to end+0:01.

The manual for my own VCR+ says start-0:00:30 to end+0:00:30, and that indeed
is what happens when I use it.

| If there are back-to-back events, it changes the channel at the boundary time.

Yes, it does, but it doesn't do it right.  I use the VCR+ to change the cable
box's channel and to record its signal, which always comes to the VCR's tuner
on channel 3.  (If it weren't for the need to change the cable box's channel,
I wouldn't own a VCR+ in the first place.)  When I store consecutive events
on the same channel, the VCR+ treats them as one long event and records
straight through from start1-0:00:30 to end2+0:00:30.  That's fine.

But when the two events are on different cable channels, the VCR+ stops the
VCR, changes the cable channel, and restarts the record.  Thus a few seconds
are missed and the system does extra work.  [Sorry, flamers, this is just a
peeve, not the end of my life.]

If there is a cable setting stored greater than 0 (I think 0 is "no cable
box; change the VCR tuner" and 1 is "cable box doesn't accept infrared
signals; leave the VCR tuner alone and let the owner change the cable box
channel manually" but maybe it's the other way around and I should have said
"a cable setting other than 1"), the VCR+ should simply change the cable
box's channel at boundary time and let the VCR record uninterrupted.

David W. Tamkin   Box 59297   Northtown Station, Illinois  60659-0297
dattier@ddsw1.mcs.com    CompuServe: 73720,1570    MCI Mail: 426-1818
Newsgroups: rec.video.cable-tv
From: killer@exterminator.cs.hut.fi (Kalle Kivimaa)
Subject: Re: Mixing cable and antenna input for VCR recording
Organization: Helsinki University of Technology, CS lab
Date: Fri, 21 Aug 1992 23:12:44 GMT

In <1992Aug21.221154.28649@odin.corp.sgi.com> randyh@boise.esd.sgi.com (Randy Heap) writes:
>However,  I have to change settings on both the  TV and
>the VCR to  change the tunning  between cable  and antenna.  

Can you clarify this?  Do your TV and video have some kind of physical
switch that selects the freq area?

>My question is, is there any clean way to handle this
>problem  that doesn't require one VCR for the cable
>and another for the antenna?

Check with your cable company.  They should be able to sell you a
'mixer' box that mixes the signals from two different sources into
one R.F. signal.  Of course, if your cable company uses the same
frequencies as the air channels, you are out of luck.

A company called VKN sells such a box here in Europe and also
Teleste (in Finland) sells several types.  A model called FJU 402 does
what you need and costs $10 here in Finland.
(Fax number for Teleste is +358-21-446-928 and voice +358-23-605-611)
--
************************************************************************
* The night sky over the planet Krikkit is the least interesting sight *
* in the entire Universe.  -- Douglas Adams, HHGTG                     *
************************************************************************
From: sbarnhar@mailbox.mail.umn.edu (Dr. Barnhart)
Newsgroups: rec.video.cable-tv
Subject: Cable-compatible line amps?
Date: 14 Aug 92 20:22:47 GMT
Followup-To: rec.video.cable-tv
Distribution: na
Organization: U of Mn Propoganda Ministry

We're getting cable teevee "installed" in our house next week.  I just want
the  monkeys the cable company hires to turn the cable on (we have the wire
running from the pole to the house already), with  yours  truly  doing  the
inside-the-house coax  wiring.  From previous experience with Paragon cable
in Minneapolis I know that their signal is really weak and  even  a  single
split   from  the  wall  causes  losses  and  unacceptable  picture-quality
degredation.

Since I want to run three seperate runs inside the house, I'm assuming that
the  only  real  choice  I  have  is  to get an amp to keep the signal from
dropping off too far.  What sort of things should I look for in a line amp?
Could I  just get one those Radio Shaft amps or get one somewhere else?  Do
the R-S amps (or any others) have any kind of isolation so I'm not  getting
signal reflection across my in-house cable network? Is that even important?
Do the R-S amps cover a broad enough bandwidth?

Shawn Barnhart ! sbarnhar@mailbox.mail.umn.edu
Phenylketonurics:  This product contains phenylalanine.
Newsgroups: rec.video.cable-tv
From: sammy@anagld.analytics.com (Sam Blackburn)
Newsgroups: rec.video.cable-tv
Subject: Re: What's this ""bullet"" thing?
Date: 20 Aug 92 03:30:08 GMT
Organization: Computer Sciences Corporation - Systems Engineering Division

gerace@ucsu.Colorado.EDU (Jerry Gerace) writes:

>The "bullet" is sent at the same frequency as the authorization streams
>which are apparently in the FM range (87-108MHz)...so the article recommended
>using a trap to block whatever frequency it was (104 maybe???)...

>You also block any genuine authorization signals, but if you're using your
>own box, then so what.

I think you're right.  I seem to remember something about the FM band on the
cable.  Anyway, Radio-Electronics magazine is begining a series on cable
descrambling.  They will probably touch on the magic bullett again.
Newsgroups: rec.video.cable-tv
From: jennings@chdasic.sps.mot.com (Tim Jennings)
Subject: Science Fiction Channel
Originator: root@mogate.sps.mot.com
Organization: SPS
Date: Thu, 20 Aug 1992 19:58:22 GMT

This is a call to subscribers of Dimension Cable in Phoenix. Send letters to Dimension
and let them know that you wish for them to pick up the Sci-Fi channel.

Dimension Cable
17602 N. Black Canyon Hwy
Suite 111
Phoenix AZ 85023
Attn: Programming

They need to hear from you!
-- 
----------------------
Timothy J. Jennings 			"I Yam What I Yam."
Motorola ASIC Division			--Popeye
email: jennings@chdasic.sps.mot.com
From: larrow@novell.com (Les Arrow)
Newsgroups: rec.video.cable-tv
Subject: DMX
Date: 17 Aug 92 19:32:15 GMT
Distribution: usa
Organization: Novell Inc., San Jose, Califonia

Maybe I've been living in a dark cave, but I am not aware of what DMX is.
Could someone explain DMX: what it does for a cable subscriber, and if 
practically all companies use it?

--Les

* Posted this because I thought others might live in the same cave I do.
Newsgroups: rec.video.cable-tv
From: pzs@ficus.webo.dg.com (Peter Z. Simpson)
Subject: Re: What's this ""bullet"" thing?
Date: 20 Aug 92 12:03:36
	<1992Aug19.050522.4628@ucsu.Colorado.EDU>
	<1992Aug19.133312.3566@devildog.att.com>
Organization: Data General Corp., Westboro, MA


> Radio Electronics - January 1992 explained the magic bullet.
> Radio Electronics - April 1992 showed how to create an FM filter to stop
> the bullet. It would also stop all authorization to your box. Some boxes
> shutdown if they don't receive a signal after a certain amount of time.
> Although the article described the filter as stopping 'splash' on your
> FM receiver from a cable hookup, the filter can be used for other things.

> For instance:
> * Leave the  filter off before a free preview weekend for a premium
>   channel. Hook the filter back up and the signal cannot be turned off.
> * Order pay-per-view. Turn on the filter and enjoy more than one movie.

> The article tells how to check if the filter will work on your system.
> Though it isn't stated in the article, the filter is designed to work
> with Jerrold boxes which have a signal at 106.5 MHz.

    In my experience, blocking the authorization signal to a Jerrold
450 causes it to go into power-up reset state (i.e.: receive *no*
channels) after a timeout period (~5 hours). I think they found and
fixed the above loophole. 

    Of course, you could always generate your *own* authorization
signal and inject it after the filter...


--
  Peter Simpson, KA1AXY       (508) 870-9837  fax: (508) 898-4212
  Data General Corp.  E236    pzs@ficus.webo.dg.com [128.221.228.82]
  Westboro, MA  01580         #include  <std_disclaimer.h>
From: person@plains.NoDak.edu (Brett G Person )
Newsgroups: rec.video.cable-tv
Subject: Re: AM Radio Interference...
Date: 16 Aug 92 23:01:59 GMT
Article-I.D.: plains.19753
Organization: North Dakota Higher Education Computing Network

I'm no engineer, but I qould say that a radio station bleeding through
cable would  be something to complain about.  Is the signal just on
certain channels? You might want to at least let the radio station
know about this.

-- 
Brett Person
Guest Account	
North Dakota State University
person@plains.nodak.edu || person@plains.bitnet
Newsgroups: rec.video.cable-tv
From: fhuang@eng.umd.edu (Feng Huang)
Subject: question about my cable-ready TV
Date: Fri, 14 Aug 92 03:56:14 GMT
Organization: College of Engineering, University of Maryland, College Park
Originator: fhuang@coke.eng.umd.edu

hi, everybody out there;

I have a question about my TV and cable stuff.

I have a JVC cable ready TV. I tried to connect the cable wire to my TV to test

if this is really a cable-ready one. I had a strange discover. The program was 

totally different from that on the cable guide. I mean the channel number is

totally disorder and some channels not carried by local cable company appeared

on my TV. At first, I thought that I might misuse a outdoor antenna input, then

I found some typical cable channel such as comedy central and cable prevue guide.
I don't know much about TV and cable, could someone give me some clue about

all this. Is their anything wrong with my TV.

Thanks


Feng.

Newsgroups: rec.video.cable-tv
From: dattier@ddsw1.mcs.com (David W. Tamkin)
Subject: Re: Any problems with VCR Plus ?
Organization: Contributor Account at ddsw1, Chicago, Illinois  60657
Distribution: na
Date: Sat, 15 Aug 1992 16:49:07 GMT
X-Disclaimer:  Material posted in this article is the sole responsibility of
                the poster and does not represent MCSNet or the system owners.

Your obedient serpent wrote in <1992Aug13.160215.231@ddsw1.mcs.com>:

| If there is a cable setting stored greater than 0 (I think 0 is "no cable
| box; change the VCR tuner" and 1 is "cable box doesn't accept infrared
| signals; leave the VCR tuner alone and let the owner change the cable box
| channel manually" but maybe it's the other way around and I should have said
| "a cable setting other than 1"), the VCR+ should simply change the cable
| box's channel at boundary time and let the VCR record uninterrupted.

Cable setting 0 for the VCR+ is the gateway to trying all possible cable
settings; setting 1 is what I thought.

The correct cable setting for "no cable box; change the VCR tuner" is blank
(different from 0).

David W. Tamkin   Box 59297   Northtown Station, Illinois  60659-0297
dattier@ddsw1.mcs.com    CompuServe: 73720,1570    MCI Mail: 426-1818
Newsgroups: rec.video.cable-tv
From: delphine@garfield.cs.mun.ca (Delphine Au)
Subject: building my own descrambler
Organization: CS Dept., Memorial University of Newfoundland
Date: Wed, 12 Aug 1992 19:39:20 GMT

I heard from a friend that it is possible to order kits through
mail-order in the States to build your own descrambler.


Where can I get info on this?

Delphine Au

-- 
| DELPHINE  AU     | delphine@garfield.cs.mun.ca                         |
| Computer Science | Memorial University of Newfoundland                 |
|        Smart     :  When you only believe half of what you hear...     |
|        Brilliant :  When you know which half to believe!!              |
Newsgroups: rec.video.cable-tv