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YES! descramblers are legal. If your cable TV company can possess & rent the box to you then you can own the box yourself. An example in time would be when ATT rented telephones to consumers. The feds directed that it was legal for consumers to own their own phone. Now you wouldn't consider buying only from ATT. The cable TV industry is in its early stages relative to this development. It is legal for you to purchase and it is legal for you to own. When you buy a cable box it is your responsibility to inform the cable TV company that you are accessing their signal. It is illegal to receive their transmission without paying for it. This holds true even if your cable box is purchased as a non-addressable, non-detectable, and "bullet proof" unit.
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No. Prices can range from $15 to $400 depending on the quality and amount of features included in the equipment. Some companies offer to sell you a description of how you can build(implied), with only 7 parts from Radio Shack, a descrambler. Some sell old converters and descramblers that are barely in date and likely to be replaced by the cable companies by higher technological grades of equipment. Some cable box sellers provide systems that hardly provide any benefit to the purchaser where the quality of reception is poor, without recourse. State of the art cable box companies will provide the most recent technology in a variety of packages tailored to fit the consumer's budget. They should provide two-piece systems, all-in-one combination systems, comprehensive universal fits all model line systems, refurbished RAN Baseband boxes in conjunction with the latest tech versions. Of course, you get what you pay for. But there are some reasonable values out there.
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Yes you do. In order to establish a non-addressable system, it is essential to have a converter. A cable ready TV, VCR and a Cable Company box do not provide for this feature and in not doing so, cannot replace a converter. You must have a converter to use a descrambler. This is especially true if you are desiring a converter/descrambler that cannot be altered or addressed by your cable company.
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You have two choice when purchasing your cable equipment, a single unit(one-piece) system or a system containing two units(two-piece). Combination Box Advantages: The one-piece system is based on a combination of a converter and a descrambler, installed in a single box. This unit is referred to as a combination unit. The pluses: Easy to hook up Available in both generic or name brand Similar to to systems used by cable companies Separate Component Advantages: The two-piece system is based on two separate units, a converter and a descrambler, that are connected together and function as one-piece system. The pluses: Lower cost Components can be individually upgraded Interchangeable components
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An electronic tuning device that transposes all available channels from the cable company into either channel 3 or channel 4. A converter is simply a "channel changer" that cannot by itself descramble encoded premium channels. It allows you to receive all basic channels if your TV is not the cable ready type. When you add a descrambler to your converter, it allows you to view all premium channels.
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A descramblers is a device that restores the picture and sound of a scrambled channel. A descramblers must be used with a converter (in a two-piece configuration) to be able to descramble all the premium channels of a cable system.
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A single (one-piece) unit capable of descrambling premium cable channels. This unit contains a converter and a descrambler, enclosed in a common box. This is also the most common type of equipment supplied by the cable company to subscribing customers. Customers usually pay a specified monthly rental fee for such equipment.
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This is a converter/descramblers that can be controlled by the cable company from their office location. Through remote coded messages sent via the cable system, the cable company can "address" the customer's unit to begin descrambling selected premium or pay-per view channels. An addressable unit allows the cable company to access your cable box to change the descrambling configuration or program. This function provides the cable company the ability to add or delete descrambling on the channels that come in through your cable line. A non-addressable unit does not provide the cable company access to the cable box program. The program remains stationary and is unchangeable. Both cable box designs have the potential of receiving all channels, none or somewhere in between dependent on the box program.
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Basic Cable Service: The least expensive cable service provided by cable companies to their customers. This service usually includes Local TV channels which can be received directly from the broadcast signal of the TV stations. Premium Cable Service: Additional programming service provided by the cable company to subscribing customers. The extra fee for such additional service may be based on a per channel, per group of channels, or on any other combination of channels. Pay Per View: Selected channels that offer movies and special events such as sports or adult entertainment, for an additional fee, on a per movie or per program basis. A special "addressable" converter is furnished by the cable company to subscribers of this service. Through the use of special equipment, the cable company can "address" the customer's converter to descramble the program for which the fee was paid.
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No. descramblers are specific to each cable system. Different cable companies use different cable systems, characterized by the manufacturer's brand name and model number. You must use a compatible descrambler that works in your area but may not work in a different area.
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Call your converter/descramblers box source. Let them know that there are problems. Most companies want to correct any problems you are having. If you are working with a customer oriented company, they will work diligently to remedy your problem. Don't just let it go. They will want a satisfied customer who will refer them additional business. The company may not have a quick answer for about 5% of the problems out there. Be patient and work with your cable box company until you find the right converter/descrambler box for your area. Sometimes technology changes for your area and the source may need to do some additional research to get the desired image. Do this before the warranty/guarantee has run out. Even then there may be a solution.
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Amplification may be needed to correct the problem. Whenever a cable signal is split between two or more TVs or routed to some other video components such as VCRs, the signal weakens and produces a poor quality picture. The weak signal may cause a "snowy" or gray picture, or may even result in weak color or lack of color. Since most cable viewers use several different video components, it is recommended that an amplifier be used to restore the signal strength and the picture sharpness. In most cases, the amplifier brings the picture "back to life" and restores its original quality. Consider using a 10db Amplifier to improve signal strength.
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Most descramblers sources will carry the common brands such as Jerrold(GI), Pioneer, Scientific Atlanta, Oak, Tocom and Zenith. When your company doesn't carry your brand then you need to find out if they either have in stock or have a source for your uncommon make and model. Usually the source has another outlet or may need to do research on your request.
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Bullets are nothing more than transmitted signal which effects the cable box program. It does not fry the guts of the equipment but rather may shut the box off temporarily, reprogram the box, or shut the box down in an error mode til service can rectify the problem. A non-addressable box with the appropriate filters will manage this process effectively. This is what is meant by a "bullet-proof" cable box.
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Baseband signal is where audio and video scrambling is used in conjunction with coaxial (fiber optic)cable. The cable company de-synchronizes the pulse system thus moving the video/audio signal to a neutral channel(usually FM). The picture rolls and displays a wiggly white line running down the left, right or both sides of the screen. This outband type usually places the missing since on channels 42, 49, 50, 52 or 53. The descramblers unit restores the pulse synchronization making it possible for vertical and horizontal video and audio signal to stabilize.
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First , of course, trust your own judgment. A company you can trust will be one that has at least a 30 day Guaranty and a one year warranty on their products. Offers a variety of equipment for most areas of the country and some areas of the world. A prepared company will have its staff equipped with a zip code manual which provides a list of equipment per zip code. The company will have the capability of delivering your equipment 2 day air, 4 day ground, International, or other if agreed upon. Staff are capable of answering most technical questions. An 800 number for easy calling access for the customer.This is a short list.
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