HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: brian@king.csd.mot.com
Newsgroups: rec.video.cable-tv
Subject: Re: Help ! I need info on RS-232C cabling pinouts (DB-9 to DB-25)
Keywords: cabling, serial
Date: 14 Apr 92 18:43:45 GMT

cbm@stiatl.salestech.com (Chris Medders) writes:

>I need to find out how the pins from a DB-9 serial cable are mapped to the end
>of the DB-25 (i.e. pin #1 on the DB-9 end maps to #4 on the DB-25 end, etc..). 
>[...]

I really had to wonder how this posting ended up in rec.video.cable-tv.
Then it hit me: perhaps the poster thought that "Cable Television" referred
to cable in the same way that "Music Television" refers to music? :-)
-- 
-Brian Smithson
 Motorola Inc., Computer Group, Commercial Systems Division
 2001 Logic Drive, M/S 1-E10, San Jose, CA 95124 USA, (408)369-4104
 brian@ca41.csd.mot.com, {apple | pyramid}!motcsd!brian
From: lairdkb@mentor.cc.purdue.edu (Kyler Laird)
Newsgroups: rec.video.cable-tv
Subject: Re: -=[ Tell Me Where To Buy A Universal Descrambler ]=-
Date: 14 Apr 92 04:16:46 GMT
Organization: Purdue University Computing Center

In article <1992Apr13.232201.5417@elroy.jpl.nasa.gov> hyc@hanauma.jpl.nasa.gov (Howard Chu) writes:
>In article <44712@mentor.cc.purdue.edu> lairdkb@mentor.cc.purdue.edu (Kyler Laird) writes:
>>(I asked about this before but didn't get any responses.  Are descrambler
>>users afraid of sharing knowledge?)
>Possibly. Or just tired of rehashing questions and answers, but I guess that
>happens in any group...

Perhaps they are tired of rehashing questions because they assume that
they are old questions since they don't read them carefully enough.

>>What do most descramblers take as input?  (I'm looking at some Scientific
>>Atlanta, Jerrold and Tocom units in a brochure.)  Is it RF on some channel
>>(Ch. 3 for instance), or composite video?  If it's comp. video, what do
>>you do when the audio has a sync pulse in it?
>Most commercial units are combined converter/descramblers. They take cable
>signals from an RF input, tune in a channel, descramble if required, and
>spit it out on RF, usually channel 3 or 4. As such, your last question doesn't
>apply.

The ones I mentioned were separate units.  As such, I think my question
does apply.

If anyone feels like being helpful, I'd appreciate the information.  If
not, please write e-mail to yourself - don't post it.

Thanks!

--kyler
From: nabil@ogicse.ogi.edu (Aaron Nabil)
Newsgroups: rec.video.cable-tv
Subject: Has anyone seen plans for SSAVI-specific descramblers?
Date: 8 Apr 92 11:04:25 GMT
Article-I.D.: ogicse.36018
Distribution: usa
Organization: Oregon Graduate Institute (formerly OGC), Beaverton, OR

I'm looking for plans for descramblers specifically for SSAVI.  Periodicals
or books or kits OK.

Please email to... nabil@cse.ogi.edu

Thanks!

Aaron
nabil@cse.ogi.edu

Newsgroups: rec.video.cable-tv
From: stevet@cbnewsc.cb.att.com (stephen.e.turpin)
Subject: A Company that sells Descramblers
Organization: scata
Distribution: usa
Date: Fri, 17 Apr 1992 15:43:47 GMT

There is a company in Minnesota that sells descramblers.
B and B Electronics, 1-800-826-7623.
From: wunder@oasys.dt.navy.mil (Robert Wunderlick)
Newsgroups: rec.video.cable-tv
Subject: Re: ???
Date: 13 Apr 92 20:56:18 GMT
Reply-To: wunder@oasys.dt.navy.mil (Robert Wunderlick)
Organization: Carderock Division, NSWC, Bethesda, MD

In rec.video.cable-tv, dipace@bu.edu writes:
>display the alternate channel. To see what is really there(albiet scrambled)
>hook the cable up directly to your tv, assuming it is cable ready.
>
>Frank

This is the setup I have in my house, since I don't subscribe to any
premium channels.  However, the cable company has recently blocked out
a number of channels which were previosly viewable (although scrambled).
How do they do THAT?  Cable co. is Montgomery Cable in Maryland.  Are
they using some really advanced techniques?  When I switch to these
channels all I get is "Channel 'xx' is not available" (even when it
used to be?

Bob Wunderlick
David Taylor Model Basin
Carderock Division HQ, Naval Surface Warfare Center
Bethesda, MD 20084-5000   (DTMBCDHQNSWC - whew!)
From: pswecker@med.unc.edu (Peter St.Wecker)
Newsgroups: rec.video.cable-tv
Subject: Re: Monitor Channel update
Date: 9 Apr 92 01:01:36 GMT
Distribution: na
Organization: UNC School of Medicine

In article <574@hsdndev.UUCP> nhmas@gauss.med.harvard.edu (Mark Shneyder 432-4219) writes:
>norris@athena.mit.edu (Richard A Chonak) writes:
>>
>>The Christian Science church announced today that they were 
>>moving up the closing deadline for the Monitor Channel from 
>>June 15 to April 15.  Unless the cable network is sold by 
>
>Do you know what the asking price is? I think it could be cheaper than
>a McDonalds' hamburger since they only have 2 regular viewers and no
>advertisers to go with it.

     Well, if that's true, then I'd certainly like to meet my one fellow
viewer.  I regularly watch the channel, and find it to be one of the best on
television.  It's great to have a news alternative to CNN, and many of their
feature shows present stories not seen elsewhere.  I especially appreciate
the fact that they sub-title the non-english speakers, instead of dubbing.
I fear that the stations demise reflects once again the sad state of the
average american cable viewer/cable sponser.  Let's hope some new owners are
found, with not too many changes in the channel. 
     By the way, there are one or two commercials that they run (of course,
fewer commercials is a plus in my book, but not in their accountant's)

                                  -- Peter
Newsgroups: rec.video.cable-tv
From: autry@sgi.com (Larry Autry)
Subject: Re: Zenith PZ-1
Organization: Silicon Graphics, St. Louis, MO
Distribution: na
Date: Thu, 9 Apr 1992 18:27:38 GMT

In article <1992Apr9.170244.8585@cs.ucla.edu> tj@kona.cs.ucla.edu (Tom Johnson) writes:
>In article <1992Apr9.134241.29152@odin.corp.sgi.com> autry@sgi.com (Larry Autry) writes:
>>In article <1992Apr8.234006.28306@cs.ucla.edu> tj@kona.cs.ucla.edu (Tom Johnson) writes:
>>>Does anyone know what type of scrambling is employed by the Zenith PZ-1
>>>system?  I have been unable to locate a company that sells a descrambler
>>>for this system.  In fact, none of them have been able to tell me anything
>>>about what type of scrambling is used:  Suppressed sync?  Outband? Gated
>>>pulse?  Does anyone have any ideas? 
>>I've only heard lately of the Zenith PZ-1.  Historically, Zenith has used
>>SSAVI as it's encoding method.  SSAVI - Sync Suppression and Active Video
>>Inversion.
>>
>
>I don't think our system uses SSAVI, the scrambled picture never seems
>to invert.  Besides, if it were SSAVI, wouldn't one of the companies that
>sell decoders sell a SSAVI decoder to those of us stuck with PZ-1 encoders?
>When I call these companies, they invariable tell me "Sorry, we don't sell
>anything for the PZ-1." 
>
Inversion is optional.  Many times I have seen a picture although
scrambled, was sorta viewable.  (Did funny things to your eyes though :^))
SSAVI does various tricks.  For instance, the REQUEST channel that shows
the adult movies is blacked out completely.  Showtime and others are always
in various states of confusion.  The only thing that they have in common is
that there is never any sound.  I don't know if an add-on would help the box
itself.  (If so someone let me know.)

This of course does not help you determine the type of encoding.
--
Larry Autry
Silicon Graphics, St. Louis
autry@sgi.com 
Newsgroups: rec.video.cable-tv
From: hyc@hanauma.jpl.nasa.gov (Howard Chu)
Subject: Re: -=[ Tell Me Where To Buy A Universal Descrambler ]=-
Organization: SAR Systems Development & Processing, JPL
Date: Mon, 13 Apr 1992 23:22:01 GMT

In article <44712@mentor.cc.purdue.edu> lairdkb@mentor.cc.purdue.edu (Kyler Laird) writes:
>(I asked about this before but didn't get any responses.  Are descrambler
>users afraid of sharing knowledge?)

Possibly. Or just tired of rehashing questions and answers, but I guess that
happens in any group...
>
>What do most descramblers take as input?  (I'm looking at some Scientific
>Atlanta, Jerrold and Tocom units in a brochure.)  Is it RF on some channel
>(Ch. 3 for instance), or composite video?  If it's comp. video, what do
>you do when the audio has a sync pulse in it?

Most commercial units are combined converter/descramblers. They take cable
signals from an RF input, tune in a channel, descramble if required, and
spit it out on RF, usually channel 3 or 4. As such, your last question doesn't
apply.
-- 
  -- Howard Chu @ Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, CA
From: dipace@bu.edu
Newsgroups: rec.video.cable-tv
Subject: Re: ???
Date: 13 Apr 92 18:35:04 GMT

In article <1992Apr10.154042.12657@ncar.ucar.edu> murf@spike.comet.ucar.edu
(John Murphy) writes:
>the cable system in denver, co displays a preview channle on every station
>that is currently unsubscribed to. It is the same station for each channel.
>How do they do this...and what are its implications for descrambling?
>
>
>--
>John Murphy			murf@comet.ucar.edu
>UCAR/COMET			(303) 497-8494
>PO Box 3000
>Boulder CO 80307-3000
>
Very simple really, since the box can display any incoming channel to channel
three out why not the preview channel? It already 'knows' that you don't
subscribe(broadcast from your cable company) and it knows where the preview
channel is. It just uses some simple electronics to make the decision to
display the alternate channel. To see what is really there(albiet scrambled)
hook the cable up directly to your tv, assuming it is cable ready.

Frank
From: lairdkb@mentor.cc.purdue.edu (Kyler Laird)
Newsgroups: rec.video.cable-tv
Subject: Re: -=[ Tell Me Where To Buy A Universal Descrambler ]=-
Date: 10 Apr 92 02:33:42 GMT
Article-I.D.: mentor.44712
Organization: Purdue University Computing Center

In article <1992Apr9.174703.7446@elroy.jpl.nasa.gov> hyc@hanauma.jpl.nasa.gov (Howard Chu) writes:
>You will need an external tuner device
>anyway, since this kit works on baseband (composite, demodulated, non-RF)
>video.

(I asked about this before but didn't get any responses.  Are descrambler
users afraid of sharing knowledge?)

What do most descramblers take as input?  (I'm looking at some Scientific
Atlanta, Jerrold and Tocom units in a brochure.)  Is it RF on some channel
(Ch. 3 for instance), or composite video?  If it's comp. video, what do
you do when the audio has a sync pulse in it?

This is interesting stuff for me.  Thanks for the help.

--kyler
Newsgroups: rec.video.cable-tv
From: tcw@kepler.unh.edu (Timothy C Webb)
Subject: Turner cartoon network (again)
Organization: University of New Hampshire  -  Durham, NH
Distribution: usa
Date: Fri, 10 Apr 1992 02:54:49 GMT

  Hey, does anybody know of an address where I can write to Ted Turner re: new
cartoon network? Thanks in advance.

-- 
:::::::::::        ::::         ::::::   
 <<<<<<<<<<<      >>>>   >>>   >>>>>>    Tim Webb   tcw@kepler.unh.edu
     ????        ????  ?????  ?????    _________________________________
      ((((      (((( ((((((( (((((   
       ####    ########  #######       "The challenge is to chase the sound
        ||||  |||||||    ||||||      just to break away"   ---YES
From: autry@sgi.com (Larry Autry)
Newsgroups: rec.video.cable-tv
Subject: Re: Zenith PZ-1
Date: 9 Apr 92 13:42:41 GMT
Distribution: na
Organization: Silicon Graphics, St. Louis, MO

In article <1992Apr8.234006.28306@cs.ucla.edu> tj@kona.cs.ucla.edu (Tom Johnson) writes:
>Does anyone know what type of scrambling is employed by the Zenith PZ-1
>system?  I have been unable to locate a company that sells a descrambler
>for this system.  In fact, none of them have been able to tell me anything
>about what type of scrambling is used:  Suppressed sync?  Outband? Gated
>pulse?  Does anyone have any ideas? 
I've only heard lately of the Zenith PZ-1.  Historically, Zenith has used
SSAVI as it's encoding method.  SSAVI - Sync Suppression and Active Video
Inversion.

I have changed the distribution on this to "na".  I hope it is effective.
--
Larry Autry
Silicon Graphics, St. Louis
autry@sgi.com
From: robe@cbnewsl.cb.att.com (robert.g.egan)
Newsgroups: rec.video.cable-tv
Subject: NCTA Trade Show in Dallas May 4-6
Keywords: Technical Seminars
Date: 8 Apr 92 16:53:45 GMT
Distribution: na
Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories

In the publication CED Communications Engineering and Design April 1992, I
came across a list of the technical seminars to be held at the National
Cable Television Association's Trade Show in the Convention Center in Dallas,
Texas on May 4th through 6th. Here are two that caught my eye and seemed to
be relevant to this group.

Tuesday

Improving the cable/consumer electronics interface - issues and hardware

Location & time: West Ballroom A, Noon-1:30pm
Moderator: David Large. Speakers: Walt Ciciora, ATC; Jay Vaughn, ATC; Robert 
Burroughs, Panasonic; Daniel Moloney, Jerrold; Rich Annibaldi, Pioneer.
Description: Veterans of "consumer friendliness" campaigns address cable's
responsiveness to subscribers' whims, needs and ever-changing video equipment.

Wednesday

Advances in conditional access and consumer electronics compatibility

Location & time: West Ballroom B, 10:30-noon
Moderator: Bob Zitter. Speakers: Claude Baggett, CableLabs; Aleksander Kutro,
CableLabs; Aravanan Gursami, Magnavox; D. Pellerin, Phillips.
Description: New ideas and new systems to control program access. Can program
security and subscriber satisfaction coexist?

Anyone living in Dallas want to work undercover and be a fly on the wall?
Newsgroups: rec.video.cable-tv
From: tj@kona.cs.ucla.edu (Tom Johnson)
Subject: Re: Zenith PZ-1
Organization: UCLA Computer Science Department
Distribution: na
Date: Thu, 9 Apr 92 17:02:44 GMT

In article <1992Apr9.134241.29152@odin.corp.sgi.com> autry@sgi.com (Larry Autry) writes:
>In article <1992Apr8.234006.28306@cs.ucla.edu> tj@kona.cs.ucla.edu (Tom Johnson) writes:
>>Does anyone know what type of scrambling is employed by the Zenith PZ-1
>>system?  I have been unable to locate a company that sells a descrambler
>>for this system.  In fact, none of them have been able to tell me anything
>>about what type of scrambling is used:  Suppressed sync?  Outband? Gated
>>pulse?  Does anyone have any ideas? 
>I've only heard lately of the Zenith PZ-1.  Historically, Zenith has used
>SSAVI as it's encoding method.  SSAVI - Sync Suppression and Active Video
>Inversion.
>

I don't think our system uses SSAVI, the scrambled picture never seems
to invert.  Besides, if it were SSAVI, wouldn't one of the companies that
sell decoders sell a SSAVI decoder to those of us stuck with PZ-1 encoders?
When I call these companies, they invariable tell me "Sorry, we don't sell
anything for the PZ-1." 

Thanks for the help, we're trying to figure this stuff out, but we're not
getting very far.  Nobody seems to know anything about the PZ-1.

Tom
-- 
Tom Johnson             "I put this moment.............................here
tj@cs.ucla.edu           I put this moment......................here
                         I put this moment--
                                              Over here!"        (Kate)
Xref: sparky rec.video.cable-tv:744 rec.audio:6997
From: sp3u+@andrew.cmu.edu (Shiv Swarup Pathak)
Newsgroups: rec.video.cable-tv,rec.audio
Subject: Re: Is portable CD players good?
Date: 7 Apr 92 00:49:10 GMT
Organization: Freshman, H&SS general, Carnegie Mellon, Pittsburgh, PA


Thanks to all who responded.  Basically, you all agreed that for highest
sound quality for the price, a normal CD player is much better than a
portable one.  Sorry to bother you audiophiles out there once more:  I'm
looking into buying a Pioneer PD-7700 CD player.  It has an unusual
feature in which one places the music side of the CD in it face up. 
It's laser, holder, and spindle is located above the CD.  They say it
improves sound quality and eliminates skipping.  I found a place where I
can get it for $229.  Regardless of price, does anyone heard this or own
it.  How do/did you like it.  Thanks.
Newsgroups: rec.video.cable-tv
From: johnr@mik.uky.edu (john s roberts)
Subject: Re: Descramblers That Descramble Everything (pay/non-pay)
Organization: University Of Kentucky, Dept. of Math Sciences
Date: Wed, 8 Apr 1992 03:26:01 GMT
X-Bytes: 

I posted a message a few weeks ago asking about Universal Descramblers
which would essentially allow me to watch any channel which was present
on my wire (if I pay for it or not).  I didn't get any replies, but
have seen my question asked by several other people.             

There is a difference between being an accomplice and providing 
information.  I know that several people have built the descrambler
in Radio Electronics, but I want to know where I can buy one allready
put together.  All I, and I assume many other people, are asking for
is a phone number or address where could get information about buying
a descrambler which will work.

I tried to also find out earlier if different cable systems used different
techniques for scrambling their broadcasts.  Although I didn't get any
direct replies I am inferring from what I have read in this group that
most companies are the same.

Now, if you know of a place that sells these descramblers, please either
E-Mail me or post it.  If you are one of the many people that want to
buy a descrambler then send me your email address and as I find information
I will send it to you.

John

--
     //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
    //  John S. Roberts, Jr.             //    johnr@mik.uky.edu    // 
   //   Lexington, Kentucky 40517-1119  //   NeXT Mail Appreciated //   
  ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// 
--
     //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
    //  John S. Roberts, Jr.             //    johnr@mik.uky.edu    // 
   //   Lexington, Kentucky 40517-1119  //   NeXT Mail Appreciated //   
  //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
From: rambler@pnet51.orb.mn.org (Dan Meyer)
Newsgroups: rec.video.cable-tv
Subject: Re: Questionable Cable Rate Increases
Date: 12 Apr 92 15:05:06 GMT
Article-I.D.: orbit.7463
Organization: People-Net [pnet51], Minneapolis, MN.

SASJXS2@mvs.sas.com (JohnThe Rock Stone) writes:
>Any any suggestions besides cutting HBO?

Dump Cable and watch over-the-air stuff and movies from the video store?

Remember: " Buffalo never Oink " Seen on a South Dakota travel brocure.
Advertisment: Try the Railway Post Office , a railfan BBS ! (612) 377-2197.
UUCP: {crash tcnet}!orbit!pnet51!rambler
INET: rambler@pnet51.orb.mn.org
From: 2frlclover@kuhub.cc.ukans.edu
Newsgroups: rec.video.cable-tv
Subject: Cable TV descrambler
Date: 12 Apr 92 08:53:45 CDT
Organization: University of Kansas Academic Computing Services


Hi all,

I am thinking of building a CABLE TV descramble Kit but I am not sure whether
it will worth my money. I am also interested in knowing the quality of the
picture. Lastly, is it legal in Kansas.

Thanks in advance.

Mike

Newsgroups: rec.video.cable-tv
From: murf@spike.comet.ucar.edu (John Murphy)
Subject: ???
Organization: COMET/Univ. Corporation for Atmospheric Research, Boulder  CO
Date: Fri, 10 Apr 1992 15:40:42 GMT

the cable system in denver, co displays a preview channle on every station
that is currently unsubscribed to. It is the same station for each channel.
How do they do this...and what are its implications for descrambling?


--
John Murphy			murf@comet.ucar.edu
UCAR/COMET			(303) 497-8494
PO Box 3000
Boulder CO 80307-3000
From: edwardp@cs.umb.edu (Edward P. Piecewicz)
Newsgroups: rec.video.cable-tv
Subject: Re: Monitor Channel update
Date: 6 Apr 92 21:02:31 GMT
Distribution: na
Organization: University of Massachusetts at Boston, Dept of Math and CS

In article <1992Apr6.025501.16062@athena.mit.edu> norris@athena.mit.edu (Richard A Chonak) writes:
>In case anyone missed the news item today (Sunday, April 5):
>
>The Christian Science church announced today that they were 
>moving up the closing deadline for the Monitor Channel from 
>June 15 to April 15.  Unless the cable network is sold by 
>April 15, it will go dark.  A spokesman said that significant
>talks about a possible sale are underway with an interested 
>organization.

This is without question, sad news.  Those of us in Boston were fortunate to
be able to view Monitor programming on WQTV Channel 68 which the Christian
Science church owns, for a few years before the launch of The Monitor Channel
last May.  It has been said that their other operations, including Channel 68
in Boston will not be affected by this.  They wanted a goal of 5,000,000
subscribers, and they came pretty close to it.

In my opinion, the quality of the programming has been excellent, and if The
Monitor Channel's programs are not continued on Channel 68 if the cable service
goes dark, I will miss the programming.



-- 
Edward P. Piecewicz                       Internet:  edwardp@cs.umb.edu

Opinions expressed are my own and not those of UMass/Boston. 
Newsgroups: rec.video.cable-tv
From: tj@kona.cs.ucla.edu (Tom Johnson)
Subject: Zenith PZ-1
Originator: tj@kona.cs.ucla.edu
Organization: UCLA Computer Science Department
Date: Wed, 8 Apr 92 23:40:06 GMT

Does anyone know what type of scrambling is employed by the Zenith PZ-1
system?  I have been unable to locate a company that sells a descrambler
for this system.  In fact, none of them have been able to tell me anything
about what type of scrambling is used:  Suppressed sync?  Outband? Gated
pulse?  Does anyone have any ideas? 

Thanks-
  Tom
-- 
Tom Johnson             "I put this moment.............................here
tj@cs.ucla.edu           I put this moment......................here
                         I put this moment--
                                              Over here!"        (Kate)
From: rsopicki@pro-amber.cts.com (System Administrator)
Newsgroups: rec.video.cable-tv
Subject: Re: Cable TV descrambler
Date: 13 Apr 92 07:18:48 GMT
Organization: Crash TimeSharing, El Cajon, CA

In <1992Apr12.085345.39262@kuhub.cc.ukans.edu>
2frlclover@kuhub.cc.ukans.edu writes:

>
>Hi all,
>
>I am thinking of building a CABLE TV descramble Kit but I am not sure whether
>it will worth my money. I am also interested in knowing the quality of the
>picture. Lastly, is it legal in Kansas.
>
>Thanks in advance.
>
>Mike

 I believe that all descramble kits are illegal to place on your cable
service. After all, you'd be taking a service without paying for it.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ProLine:  rsopicki@pro-amber         |        System Administrator
Internet: rsopicki@pro-amber.cts.com |                of
UUCP:     crash!pro-amber!rsopicki   |             Pro-Amber
CIS:      75146.430@compuserve.com   |           619-460-9762
From: autry@sgi.com (Larry Autry)
Newsgroups: rec.video.cable-tv
Subject: Re: Descramblers and the Zenith PZ-1
Date: 8 Apr 92 07:25:13 GMT
Distribution: usa
Organization: Silicon Graphics, St. Louis, MO

In article <1992Apr7.232642.3566@cs.ucla.edu> tj@kona.cs.ucla.edu (Tom Johnson) writes:
>Questions:
>  1) Does anyone know of a nice (ie, tuner/remote/etc...) descrambler
>     that works with this system?
Any commercially available tuner will work.  Only Zenith "SSAVI"
descramblers will descramble (except "custom" units)
>  2) Does anyone have any experience with the "Universal Descrambler"?
>     The article says that the sync must be manually adjusted.  Does it
>     have to be done before every viewing?  Will it sometimes lose
>     sync and have to be readjusted *during* a program? This seems like
>     more trouble than it's worth.
Note that some kits are available in the back of R-E.  Watch your e-mail
box for descriptions of experiences.
>
>disclaimer:  I have absolutely no intention of descrambling a channel I
>  don't pay for.

Didn't inhale ....  ( Billy Crystal on Bill Clinton at the 1992 Acadamy Awards.)
--
Larry Autry
Silicon Graphics, St. Louis
autry@sgi.com