HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: ckerr@nucleus.cuc.ab.ca (Chris Kerr)
Newsgroups: rec.video
Subject: Max Headroom video's
Date: 8 Nov 92 02:38:48 GMT
Organization: The Nucleus 16 Lines 403-531-9353 -CNet Amiga-

Heya! I'm looking for shows on max headroom (remeber, those cool shows they
aired on tv a few years back?) i really want some of these shows.  I already
have the original story (the one in all video stores), i'm looking for others!
please! help me! (also if ya feel these shows should be aired again, leave me
mail).

Thanks alot!!!, a BIG fan of max headroom.
From: jai@lab.ultra.nyu.edu (Benchiao Jai)
Newsgroups: rec.video.cable-tv
Subject: Re: Stupid question
Date: 10 Nov 92 19:38:25 GMT
Distribution: na
Organization: New York University Ultracomputer Research Lab

In article <1992Nov9.213114.29900@linus.mitre.org> sdo@lossage (Sean D. O'Neil) writes:
>My question is as follows.  Suppose one got a tuner that demodulated each
>channel down to channel 3, for example, or for that matter, to any
>channel that the box is set to descramble.  Why wouldn't the following
>set-up work to descramble premium channels--pass the cable signal first
>through the demodulator, then into the cable box which is set to channel
>3 and descrambles it?  If it matters, I believe the cable system in our
>area uses a Jerrold 450 box.
>
>Possible answers:
>
>(1)  Yes, it would work.
>
>(2)  Yes, it's possible but tunable demodulators like you're talking
>about aren't readily available. (But don't VCR's filter and demodulate
>everything down to channel 3?)
>
>(3)  No, it wouldn't work because it's not that simple.
>
>
>Sean

(4) No.  It is simpler.

The signal itself says "I am scrambled", so whereever you remodulate
it to, it is still scrambled.  If you send it to channel 3,  your
channel 3 becomes scrambled.  If you can switch the input fast enough
(for example, use the TV/VCR button) then you'll find your original
channel 3 picture went wild for a split second.



P.S.  Try channel 2, you'll find something interesting....
Newsgroups: rec.video.cable-tv
From: jai@lab.ultra.nyu.edu (Benchiao Jai)
Subject: Re: Stupid question
Organization: New York University Ultracomputer Research Lab
Distribution: na
Date: Tue, 10 Nov 1992 19:38:25 GMT

In article <1992Nov9.213114.29900@linus.mitre.org> sdo@lossage (Sean D. O'Neil) writes:
>My question is as follows.  Suppose one got a tuner that demodulated each
>channel down to channel 3, for example, or for that matter, to any
>channel that the box is set to descramble.  Why wouldn't the following
>set-up work to descramble premium channels--pass the cable signal first
>through the demodulator, then into the cable box which is set to channel
>3 and descrambles it?  If it matters, I believe the cable system in our
>area uses a Jerrold 450 box.
>
>Possible answers:
>
>(1)  Yes, it would work.
>
>(2)  Yes, it's possible but tunable demodulators like you're talking
>about aren't readily available. (But don't VCR's filter and demodulate
>everything down to channel 3?)
>
>(3)  No, it wouldn't work because it's not that simple.
>
>
>Sean

(4) No.  It is simpler.

The signal itself says "I am scrambled", so whereever you remodulate
it to, it is still scrambled.  If you send it to channel 3,  your
channel 3 becomes scrambled.  If you can switch the input fast enough
(for example, use the TV/VCR button) then you'll find your original
channel 3 picture went wild for a split second.



P.S.  Try channel 2, you'll find something interesting....
From: eddy@pcad.uunet!pcad (Eduardo Juncosa)
Newsgroups: rec.video.cable-tv
Subject: Re: Cable TV Rules
Date: 6 Nov 92 20:34:51 GMT
Organization: PCAD/CADAM, Westford, MA
In-reply-to: brown@vidiot.UUCP's message of 5 Nov 92 06:30:32 GMT

In article <4389@vidiot.UUCP> brown@vidiot.UUCP (Vidiot) writes:
> Even though many people don't like TCI, they did one thing right.  They
> deregulated themselves regarding multiple sets.  You have been able to
> connect as many items as you like to the cable that comes into your house.

Not MY TCI affiliate.  They still charge $6.95 per extra hookup, whether
you want their descrambler box or not (most but not all the basic chanels
come in the clear).  They DO allow me to do my own wiring, if I don't want
to pay for installation.

> The basic rules are:
> 
> 	1) You are responsible to leakage.  If you leak it, they fix it and
> 	   charge you.
> 	2) You overload the signal with too many splitters, they come out and
> 	   find the signal level going into the house is at spec, you get
> 	   charged for a service trip.
> 	3) You can connect as many TV, VCRs and FM receivers to the cable as
> 	   you like, for the same "low" :-) price.
> 
> Bitch to your cable company, telling the managers that the big company, TCI,
> doesn't charge for multiple sets anymore. They haven't done it for a few years
> now.

I called them and told them this.  Their anser was that TCI owns many
systems, and they can each set pricing however they pleased.  They charge
for extra hookups, and that's that.

Eddy
--
Eduardo R. Juncosa	uunet!pcad!eddy
Newsgroups: rec.video.cable-tv
Subject: cable box sound degradation??
From: <ADB103@psuvm.psu.edu>
Date: Mon, 9 Nov 1992 00:50:24 EST
Organization: Penn State University

Does having my cable box tune channels for my hi-fi VCR affect the sound qualit
y of stereo broadcasts- my ears say yes- but would appreciate a more technichal
 understanding. thanxEDB
From: rxv9839@ritvax.isc.rit.edu
Newsgroups: rec.video.cable-tv
Subject: Re: Teletext, etc. on lines 1-22 ???
Date: 12 Nov 92 03:43:58 GMT
Reply-To: rxv9839@ritvax.isc.rit.edu
Organization: Rochester Institute of Technology

In article <1992Nov11.214800.15914@gallant.apple.com>, kevin_tavenner@gateway.
qm.apple.com (Kevin Tavenner) writes:
>When examining the first few horizontal scan lines on many cable channels
>(Heritage Cablevision, San Jose, CA), I often find that several of the
>scan lines contain bursting or continuous digitally encoded data.  I
>assume that at least some of this data (Teletext and closed caption audio,
>for example) is intended by the broadcaster for use by the television
>consumer.
>
>1.  What standard (and affordable !) equipment is available to decode this
>information?

Zenith and some other manufacturers, no doubt, make a teletext decoding TV. 
Separate teletext decoders are also available, but I do not know of a specific
source.  Teletext is a standard format.
Line 21 contains closed captioning information.  Decoders are available from
Sears for the National Captioning Institute.  It puts written info on the
bottom of the TV screen for hard of hearing people.

>2.  What is the format?  There seem to be eight pulses at the beginning
>of the line that could be synchronization for the digital portion of the
>recognizer.  Is there some sort of bit encoding scheme (like NRZ or
>Trellis) or are the data bits sent in clear?  How many bits per line?
>etc. etc. etc.  Is there a chip that will recognize this data stream if
>the output of an LM1881 (or like) sync decoder is pumped into it?
>
>3.  If the data is not encrypted, can the data stream be used legally
>without paying tariffs?  An example of this would be the quote stream
>on Financial News Network.
>Kevin Tavenner, kevin_tavenner@gateway.qm.apple.com, 1-408-862-5406

Any provider who wants to protect such data can encode it so you need thier
propietary device to make sense of theinformation.  That is what DBS(?) Data
Broadcasting Service does with theirs.  Some, like the teletext provider who
broadcasts on WGN, wants you to use the service.  They have ad revenue and such
that pays their costs.
Newsgroups: rec.video.cable-tv
From: jebright@magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu (James R Ebright)
Subject: Re: VCR Plus
Organization: The Ohio State University
Date: Fri, 13 Nov 1992 19:58:04 GMT

In article <1992Nov6.150238.18591@ultb.isc.rit.edu> rxv9839@ritvax.isc.rit.edu writes:
>In article <1dcvhjINNkt2@life.ai.mit.edu>, rwed@hal.gnu.ai.mit.edu (N7YVM)
> writes:
>>Hey! Anybody cracked the VCR+ code yet?
>
>I realize that there is a certain attraction to discovering the unknown.  Like
>climbing a mountain because it is there.
>I have been told that home dish users would like to crack the code soe they
>could use VCR+ for programming their dishes.
>
>Are there any other reasons I have missed??  Why does anybody care??
>Disclaimer-I do not work for any law enforcement agencies, VCR+, nor anyone
>else.  I'm just curious.

Check out newsgroup sci.crypt...they have some info on how it works...
I guess they did it because they too were curious!
-Jim Ebright (james.ebright@osu.edu)


-- 
		Jim Ebright (james.ebright@osu.edu) 
    "Spam, eggs, sausage and spam - that's not got much spam in it."
    Fax # 614-785-0292.  Tel # 614-785-0282.  Beeper # 614-646-1093
     >>>    All kids can be educated -- even yours and mine.    <<<
Newsgroups: rec.video.cable-tv
From: sdo@lossage (Sean D. O'Neil)
Subject: Stupid question
Organization: Research Computer Facility, The MITRE Corporation, Bedford MA
Distribution: na
Date: Mon, 9 Nov 1992 21:31:14 GMT


As I was channel surfing the other day a thought occurred to me.  The
cable system in our area provides a basic package in which some
channels are sent in the clear and some are scrambled but are included
as part of the basic service and descrambled by the box.  In addition,
there is a set of premium channels like HBO, etc., which are not
included in the basic service.

My question is as follows.  Suppose one got a tuner that demodulated each
channel down to channel 3, for example, or for that matter, to any
channel that the box is set to descramble.  Why wouldn't the following
set-up work to descramble premium channels--pass the cable signal first
through the demodulator, then into the cable box which is set to channel
3 and descrambles it?  If it matters, I believe the cable system in our
area uses a Jerrold 450 box.

Possible answers:

(1)  Yes, it would work.

(2)  Yes, it's possible but tunable demodulators like you're talking
about aren't readily available. (But don't VCR's filter and demodulate
everything down to channel 3?)

(3)  No, it wouldn't work because it's not that simple.


Sean
Newsgroups: rec.video.cable-tv
From: Kevin Tavenner <kevin_tavenner@gateway.qm.apple.com>
Subject: Teletext, etc. on lines 1-22 ???
X-Useragent: Nuntius v1.1
Date: Wed, 11 Nov 1992 21:46:17 GMT
Organization: Apple Computer, Inc.

When examining the first few horizontal scan lines on many cable channels
(Heritage Cablevision, San Jose, CA), I often find that several of the
scan lines contain bursting or continuous digitally encoded data.  I
assume that at least some of this data (Teletext and closed caption audio,
for example) is intended by the broadcaster for use by the television
consumer.

1.  What standard (and affordable !) equipment is available to decode this
information?

2.  What is the format?  There seem to be eight pulses at the beginning
of the line that could be synchronization for the digital portion of the
recognizer.  Is there some sort of bit encoding scheme (like NRZ or
Trellis) or are the data bits sent in clear?  How many bits per line?
etc. etc. etc.  Is there a chip that will recognize this data stream if
the output of an LM1881 (or like) sync decoder is pumped into it?

3.  If the data is not encrypted, can the data stream be used legally
without paying tariffs?  An example of this would be the quote stream
on Financial News Network.
Kevin Tavenner, kevin_tavenner@gateway.qm.apple.com, 1-408-862-5406
From: 2ftntold@kuhub.cc.ukans.edu
Newsgroups: rec.video.cable-tv
Subject: Cable Box Remote Control
Date: 11 Nov 92 01:29:51 GMT
Organization: University of Kansas Academic Computing Services

How would I go about getting a remote control for my cable box?  The cable
company charges a monthly fee for one and I refuse to let them rip me off like
that.  Is it possible to build a simple up/down remote or is there a place that
will sell me just the remote?  The box is a Scientific Atlanta 8550-321.

Also, does anyone out there know what scrambling method that this box uses? 
The scrambled image on the television screen appears to just be missing the
horizontal sync and is not inverted or anything.  The audio is also present.  I
think it uses one of the gated sync methods, but I don't know which and don't
have access to a scope to find out.

Thanks,

Brett Nenninger
2ftntold@kuhub.cc.ukans.edu
From: jerry@hnrc.tufts.edu (Jerry Dallal)
Newsgroups: rec.video.cable-tv
Subject: Re: VCR Plus
Date: 6 Nov 92 17:12:16 GMT
Organization: USDA HNRC at Tufts University

In article <1992Nov6.150238.18591@ultb.isc.rit.edu>, rxv9839@ritvax.isc.rit.edu writes:
> In article <1dcvhjINNkt2@life.ai.mit.edu>, rwed@hal.gnu.ai.mit.edu (N7YVM)
>  writes:
>>Hey! Anybody cracked the VCR+ code yet?
> 
> Are there any other reasons I have missed??  Why does anybody care??

Not all newspapers carry all Plus+ Codes.

Suppose after the latest instalment of X, you decide you want to tape it
weekly.  You can't enter the old code and puch 'weekly' because the old
code is obsolete.  You have to wait until the new code is published.

Many people find it easier to locate their computer than to find the TV Guide.
Newsgroups: rec.video.cable-tv
From: Kevin Tavenner <kevin_tavenner@gateway.qm.apple.com>
Subject: Teletext, etc. on lines 1-22 ???
X-Useragent: Nuntius v1.1
Date: Wed, 11 Nov 1992 21:45:03 GMT
Organization: Apple Computer, Inc.

When examining the first few horizontal scan lines on many cable channels
(Heritage Cablevision, San Jose, CA), I often find that several of the
scan lines contain bursting or continuous digitally encoded data.  I
assume that at least some of this data (Teletext and closed caption audio,
for example) is intended by the broadcaster for use by the television
consumer.

1.  What standard (and affordable !) equipment is available to decode this
information?

2.  What is the format?  There seem to be eight pulses at the beginning
of the line that could be synchronization for the digital portion of the
recognizer.  Is there some sort of bit encoding scheme (like NRZ or
Trellis) or are the data bits sent in clear?  How many bits per line?
etc. etc. etc.  Is there a chip that will recognize this data stream if
the output of an LM1881 (or like) sync decoder is pumped into it?

3.  If the data is not encrypted, can the data stream be used legally
without paying tariffs?  An example of this would be the quote stream
on Financial News Network.
Kevin Tavenner, kevin_tavenner@gateway.qm.apple.com, 1-408-862-5406
Newsgroups: rec.video.cable-tv
From: greiner@oahu.cs.ucla.edu (John Greiner)
Subject: Re: Stupid question
Organization: UCLA, Computer Science Department
Distribution: na
Date: Wed, 11 Nov 92 07:31:18 GMT

In article <musjndx.721366594@gsusgi1.gsu.edu> musjndx@gsusgi2.gsu.edu (Jonathan N. Deitch) writes:
>sdo@lossage (Sean D. O'Neil) writes:
>
>>My question is as follows.  Suppose one got a tuner that demodulated each
>>channel down to channel 3, for example, or for that matter, to any
>>channel that the box is set to descramble.  Why wouldn't the following
>>set-up work to descramble premium channels--pass the cable signal first
>>through the demodulator, then into the cable box which is set to channel
>>3 and descrambles it?  If it matters, I believe the cable system in our
>>area uses a Jerrold 450 box.
>
>Also, your cable system would have to have a premium channel on chanel 3 for
>this to work.  The programming information for scrambled channels actually has
>a channel number encoded in it, so your scrambled channel, remodulated to 
>channel three still contains the descrambling info for the original channel.
>
>- Jonathan
>
>-- 
>         ** Atlanta Braves - Back to Back NL Champs '91 and '92 **
>
> Internet: jdeitch@gisatl.fidonet.org   Fidonet: Jonathan Deitch@1:133/411.7
>           musjndx@gsusgi2.gsu.edu      Bellnet: 1 - (404) - 261 - 3665       
>-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Really?  "your scrambled channel...still contains the descrambling info for the
original channel."  Is that true?  At first I thought that by "programming 
information" you meant the descrambling parameters programmed into the cable 
box, but this last phrase implies that it's somehow encoded in the channel's 
signal itself.  Am I reading this right?  

If it weren't for that, I'd wonder if one could make the original poster's 
idea work if you shifted a premium channel to the frequency of another 
premium channel that *is* subscribed to.  If the info is encoded in the box,
then it would seem that this might work--barring any new information not 
posted in this thread yet.  However, if the signal carries channel specific
decoding info itself as I think you said, then this would not be possible.

If it does indeed carry the decoding info in the channel, how is this done?

	-John

*******************************************************************************
* Signature: =====================>> John D. Greiner <<<===================== *
* Internet: greiner@cs.ucla.edu                                               *
* Disclaimer: *I* said what I said--not someone else.                         *
* Quote: "Complex behavior involves a mix of order and disorder."             *
* Author: Christopher G. Langton, _Artificial Life_                           *
* Plug: UTV-13 University of Pennsylvania's student-run television station.   *
*******************************************************************************
From: wdp@gagme.chi.il.us (Bill Pfeiffer)
Subject: Re: HBO "filtered" out
Originator: wdp@gagme
Organization: Gagme Public Access UNIX, Chicago, Illinois.
Date: Fri, 6 Nov 1992 08:02:39 GMT

In article <8854@blue.cis.pitt.edu.UUCP> ebe+@pitt.edu (Elmer Beachley) writes:
>
>I've never seen the system where HBO is "scrambled" by filtering out the
>rf carrier.  What do you see when you tune the scrambled channel?
>Snow, like a unused channel?  Or a strong (bright white, dark black)
>tearing picture?  If it's the second, the channel is being "jammed" and
>a filter should help.

OK, time for some de-bunking.

Filters work in one of two ways.

1) Band Pass filters are hi-Q filters which suppress a very narrow
band-width and are used to remove an interfering signal which is
slightly off-center of the channels carrier.  In these systems, the
actual desired signal is offset slightly from where it 'should' be.  A
pulsating signal is then sent along 'center channel', on the desired
channel.  A cable ready TV or box will attempt to lock into 'center
channel' where the interfering carrier is, and obliterate the picture
and sound with a 'beep beep beep' coupled with horizontal noise bars
across the screen.  The Band Pass filter strips the interfering
carrier away, leaving a clean signal.

2) Band Stop filters, are designed to suppress the actual desired
channel to a level that is generally too low for a tv to recognize and
lock-in to.  If you get 'snow' then THIS is what you have.  To restore
the channel, the cable company sends a worker to 'remove' the trap and
permit the signal to pass.

Neither of these schemes are true 'scrambling'.  If you get the black
or white vertical 'split image' unstable from left to right, then your
signal is 'scrambled' and requires a 'decoder' not a trap or filter,
to restore.

Bill 









>Elmer Beachley etb@cs.pitt.edu
From: jerry@hnrc.tufts.edu (Jerry Dallal)
Newsgroups: rec.video.cable-tv
Subject: Re: VCR Plus
Date: 6 Nov 92 17:08:55 GMT
Organization: USDA HNRC at Tufts University

In article <1dcvhjINNkt2@life.ai.mit.edu>, rwed@hal.gnu.ai.mit.edu (N7YVM) writes:
> Hey! Anybody cracked the VCR+ code yet?

Yes.  See Shirriff K, Welch C, Kinsman A (1991), "Decoding a VCR Controller
Code,"  Cryptologia, 16, 227-234.
Newsgroups: rec.video.cable-tv
From: malecki@dvs.com (Dave Malecki)
Subject: Re: HBO "filtered" out
Organization: Digital Video Systems
X-Newsreader: TIN [version 1.1 PL6]
Date: Fri, 13 Nov 1992 13:36:00 GMT

Bill Pfeiffer (wdp@gagme.chi.il.us) wrote:
: In article <8854@blue.cis.pitt.edu.UUCP> ebe+@pitt.edu (Elmer Beachley) writes:
: Filters work in one of two ways.
: 
: 1) Band Pass filters are hi-Q filters which suppress a very narrow
: band-width and are used to remove an interfering signal which is

Bzzt.  A band pass filter does just what its name implies, it PASSES a narrow
band and rejects the rest.  A band pass filter doesn't neccessarily need to
be high Q, but it usually is.

: 2) Band Stop filters, are designed to suppress the actual desired
: channel to a level that is generally too low for a tv to recognize and


This is a band stop or notch filter, as was your first example.  The only 
difference between the two is the bandwidth which is passed.


-- 
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| The opinions expressed herein are mine alone. | GOAL IN LIFE:                |
| Who I am:  David Malecki                      | Graduate and remain sane.    |
| Email:     malecki@dvs.com                    |                              |
| Phone:     (416) 299-6888 ex. 379            	|                              |
|------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Joke o' the week:                                                            |
| What's the definition of a gay engineer?                                     |
| Someone who likes to blow his PALs.                                          |
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Newsgroups: rec.video.cable-tv
From: mxl@cbnewsg.cb.att.com (marc.a.levy)
Subject: Re: RE Universal Descrambler source!!
Organization: AT&T
Distribution: usa
Date: Mon, 9 Nov 1992 12:45:20 GMT

In article <1992Nov7.090546.1@oread.cc.ukans.edu> dseaman@oread.cc.ukans.edu writes:
>If anyone wants to get a kit for the Universal Descrambler in RE, just
>drop me a note. The kits costs $93.95 S&H included. Once you build the
>descrambler, you can send it back to the company and have then adjust
>it for the best possible picture for $15, which included return S&H.
>You can e-mail me at: DSeaman@oread.cc.ukans.edu. 
>

$94???  WOW! M & G still sells it for $59.95

They do charge extra for the Power Suply, if you dont have
one.

M&G 1-800-258-1134.

Disclaimer:  I have nothing to do with any of the company's of
products listed above.  This information is supplied for
experimenters to purchase the items needed to build a project
as listed in the May 1990 issue of Radio Electronics.

Marc
.

Newsgroups: rec.video.cable-tv
From: cro69@cas.org ()
Subject: Lost VCR Remote after Cable Install
Organization: Chemical Abstracts Service, Columbus, Ohio
Date: Wed, 11 Nov 1992 15:28:14 GMT

After my cable box was installed (Warner-supplied Panasonic remote) and my
TV and VCR connected, I soon discovered that the IR remotes for my TV and
VCR were no longer operable.  I can still use the manual buttons on the
front of the equipment.  Has this happened to anyone else out there?  It
appears that the box is putting out some kind of interference with the IR
signals or something.  For some strange reason, OFF button on the remote for
the VCR will still work, but that is it.  The cable box remote only controls
the cable functions and is not designed to also control VCR or other equip.
Otherwise, the remote for the Cable works fine as does a 2nd VCR not hooked
up to the cable box that I use for copying and recording from antenna.

This is very disturbing situation to a committed couch potatoe.....yawn.....

--------------
Chuck Ortt- cro69@cas- all opinions my own
Newsgroups: rec.video.cable-tv